choosing ato

greg0385 · Feb 21, 2012

Im looking into getting a ATO to keep a better stable system. I cant decide which would be best. My water mixing station is about 25ft away from my tank and plan on running 1/4" tubing under the house from RO container to the sump.

(1) I could get a regular float valve and install a uniseal bulkhead in the RO container in the bottom. The 32 gallon brute container should have enough pressure to push the top off water over to the sump and controlled by the float valve.

(2) The other way would be. Using 2 float switches in the sump. Still use the uniseal and use a small water pump plumbed into in the inside of the bulkhead. The bottom switch wire to turn off/on and the top used as a emergency shutoff. I could also have the pump on a timer to as a 3rd saftey.

I want to use the uniseal and on the RO container in the bottom to try and reduce a syphon of pumping up and over the top of the container. I also dont have room for ATO container next to the tank so the 25ft is a must too. I just want a near fail-safe system without spending a small fortune.

I realize option 2 is better but is it really needed over just a simple float valve

greg0385 · Feb 22, 2012

beaslbob · Feb 22, 2012

Sorry I can't help but I do know some use various float switches to control an ato.

One thing that does worry me is that an ato can also kick in if the overflow has failed (blockage, siphon loss whatever). so that even if the sump is correctly adjusted to run dry preventing floods, the water added by the ato can create the flood.

I quess one solution is to add a float switch to the upper container (usually the display) to cut off the sump pump with the display above a certain level.

my .02

Murfman · Feb 22, 2012

I have to recommend the air pressure switches Avast Marine uses. Keeps my water levels within 1/8" in a 125 sump.

Raggamuffin · Feb 22, 2012

I am useing a JBJ ATO with 2 float switches. I have a MJ1200 and that has well more than enough power to push water up and over my 75g tank I use as a sump from floor level. The JBJ is so simple to set up it is really amazing. I bought it used had no instructions, took 5 minutes to set up and 3 of that was finding a screw to attatch it to a wall.

Jeppeterpan · Feb 22, 2012

Second ragamuffin. Also bought a used jbj. No problems since my installation.

kschweer · Feb 22, 2012

I also use the avast marine top off. It's extremely easy to set up and relatively inexpensive. However I dont think the newer ones come with the holder for the pressure sensor so that's an added expense

AZDesertRat · Feb 23, 2012

I use the Spectrapure UPLC-II ATO which also uses a digital air sensor but can be adjusted between 1/10" and 4" with the touch of a button. It also comes with a back up high high level float switch and the same three roller peristaltic pump as their Liter Meter III so is bulletproof. The pump can also be adjusted in 10% increments as another level of failsafe, you can adjust the fill rate so it could not possible overflow and flood if you desire.
My ATO storage is about 35 feet away in my garage and the UPLC is in my stand next to the sump and has no problem pulling the water that distance or can actually pump up to about 45 psi in a multistory installation.

http://www.spectrapure.com/manuals/PRINTER_FRIENDLY/UPLC-II-MANUAL.pdf

http://www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p7.htm

Several of their ATO systems are on sale here:
http://www.spectrapure.com/email/customer-appreciation.html

http://www.spectrapure.com/liquid_level_controllers.htm

shred5 · Feb 23, 2012

I like the tunze osmolator. Expensive but the best in my opinion.

I have a jbj ato on one my tanks. It does not have a back up off like the tunze. Also the hangers the jbj comes with break very easily. I have broke both mine already.

I have no experience with the one AZ talkes about.

acan lord · Feb 23, 2012

+1 on the tunze. It's what I use and I love it.

Snprhed · Feb 23, 2012

tunze all the way

Laborator · Feb 23, 2012

Jbj here

brahm · Feb 23, 2012

I've been using the jbj, it works. I wish I could raise the max time for the fail safe to 30 mins or so (I have it at 14mins which is the max). I use a BRS 50ml per minute doser which does a good job of keeping it topped off at a decent speed without worry about it over dosing.