Cheap auto top up unit recommendation

[trini2debone]

Hey friends, as the header stated; I am in the market for a auto top off unit. I also want a budget friendly one. Any recommendations?... If your answer is going to a version of "You get what you pay for", go clean your sump or something because they will be ignored... Looking forward to answer to THE QUESTION.

 

[Vinaka_vakalevu]

what size tank?

 

[fishywishy]

I have 2 liter soda bottle that I inverted and attached to my sump. it cost me 2 dollars and works fine.

 

[trini2debone]

what size tank?

135 gallon DT, 20 gallon sump

 

[trini2debone]

I have 2 liter soda bottle that I inverted and attached to my sump. it cost me 2 dollars and works fine.

Can you share a picture or a thread of how it works please. If not too much trouble?

 

[FUNGI]

Jebao ATO...approx: 20~40 depending on used and marketplace

 

[jayala12]

Hey friends, as the header stated; I am in the market for an auto top off unit. I also want a budget friendly one. Any recommendations?... If your answer is going to a version of "You get what you pay for", go clean your sump or something because they will be ignored... Looking forward to answer to THE QUESTION.

You get what you pay for with ato systems.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The cheapest way is the bottle gravity fed way, which is very cheap, but limited to the bottle size. On a big tank like yours, it will last about 2 hours. Even on my 5 gallon tank its only enough for one weekend.

They are all relatively about $100 - little more or less - and out of all the money you will spend its the best $100. It gives peace of mind, and most of the one's I've tried lasted multiple years.

 

[FUNGI]

+

=$30

 

[lil sumpin]

what's your budget? tunze osmolator and xp aqua duetto are both great and around $100

 

[anemonalex]

Check amazon I got this one for $50 in March. So 4 months and it has done it's job for me.
WONICE Auto Top Off System- Smart ATO Lite Water Filler Refiller Advanced Water Level Controller w/Pump for Reef and Freshwater Saltwater Tanks Aquarium https://a.co/d/0ftvVTw5
I just got a bpa free cereal container. It's clear and fits next to my sump so it looks nice and I have to fill it daily but I like the involvement.

 

[trini2debone]

Jebao ATO...approx: 20~40 depending on used and marketplace

Would this be the one?

 

[trini2debone]

Check amazon I got this one for $50 in March. So 4 months and it has done it's job for me.
WONICE Auto Top Off System- Smart ATO Lite Water Filler Refiller Advanced Water Level Controller w/Pump for Reef and Freshwater Saltwater Tanks Aquarium https://a.co/d/0ftvVTw5
I just got a bpa free cereal container. It's clear and fits next to my sump so it looks nice and I have to fill it daily but I like the involvement.

Thanks, will check it out.

 

[trini2debone]

+

=$30

I am not sure what exactly that is.

 

[Reef.]

With a big tank you want a big reservoir too.

Can be a good idea to put the ato on a smart plug timer to only come on a 3-4 times a day for a minute, especially if you go cheap, this will stop the ato filling your tank with water if it should go wrong, it will only over fill by 3-4 minutes worth of water instead of emptying your reservoir.

 

[slythy]

Do you have an apex or controller? My ato’s have been 2 float switches at the same height. If 1 goes high they turn off and if they both go low it turns on

 

[trini2debone]

Do you have an apex or controller? My ato’s have been 2 float switches at the same height. If 1 goes high they turn off and if they both go low it turns on

I don't but that is really smart, thanks for sharing. I have been playing with the idea of getting a Coralvue Hydros. They are getting great reviews and are budget friendly.

 

[Naekuh]

I use a Tunze, i had a Innovative Marine one, but the Tunze i feel is sort of better with the sensors, and it has a siren incase your ATO is stuck in syphon and continuously dispensing.

But a tank that large will require a large DI reservoir, unless your Kalk dosage is significant enough to offset it.

For example, i am dispensing about 600ml of Kalk solution per day on my 150, so my ATO does not dispense much. But if i didn't do my kalk, then i would need at least 600ml of DI water per day on top of what its already dispensing.

I also use the overpriced ReefCan as a reservior, but i could not find a trashcan bin thin enough with the same dimensions of the reefcan, hence why i was strong armed to buy one.

 

[trini2debone]

I use a Tunze, i had a Innovative Marine one, but the Tunze i feel is sort of better with the sensors, and it has a siren incase your ATO is stuck in syphon and continuously dispensing.

But a tank that large will require a large DI reservoir, unless your Kalk dosage is significant enough to offset it.

For example, i am dispensing about 600ml of Kalk solution per day on my 150, so my ATO does not dispense much. But if i didn't do my kalk, then i would need at least 600ml of DI water per day on top of what its already dispensing.

I also use the overpriced ReefCan as a reservior, but i could not find a trashcan bin thin enough with the same dimensions of the reefcan, hence why i was strong armed to buy one.

I think most of the water is evaporated via the sump my DT is covered. I also have a large reserve, just need a ATO to pair it with. I'll start my reseach on the tunze.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I have a Tunze ATO as well, I don't regret getting mine in the slightest.