Sunshine518
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Can anyone recommend a decent all in 1 ATO system for my 10g tank for less than 100$?
Decent ATO system
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NanoCrazed
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I've tested a bunch of ATOs, and my recommendation is the Smart ATO Micro if you're not looking to pump water from too far away (less than 4-6 feet), beyond this the IM Hydrofill with the matching pump would be another option.
The Smart ATO Micro is small, comes with a 12VDC pump, and if you place it where the optical sensor is in the same level as the water in your DT, it will be spot on and no worries on overflowing.
The Hydrofill works well when it does but drives me crazy at times. You have two sensors to deal with but there a lot of clumsiness with the sensors working accurately as sometimes the high and low side switches. Plus, the sensors and mount are huge so it's hard to set it at the right level without putting in you sump on the return side...in which case, as your filter media clogs, your return side water level gets lower so you run the chances of overfilling... I only use this because I am running water from a reservoir much further away. The Hydrofill air pump is awesome however...
The Smart ATO Micro is small, comes with a 12VDC pump, and if you place it where the optical sensor is in the same level as the water in your DT, it will be spot on and no worries on overflowing.
The Hydrofill works well when it does but drives me crazy at times. You have two sensors to deal with but there a lot of clumsiness with the sensors working accurately as sometimes the high and low side switches. Plus, the sensors and mount are huge so it's hard to set it at the right level without putting in you sump on the return side...in which case, as your filter media clogs, your return side water level gets lower so you run the chances of overfilling... I only use this because I am running water from a reservoir much further away. The Hydrofill air pump is awesome however...
