Help Deciding on ATO

[Vinh]

I am considering getting an ATO for my 10 gallon nano. Read a ton of different threads on the topic but just can't come to a final decision Hoping you all can help. Here are my requirements:

• 10 gallon nano with rim and would like the water level to be as high as possible.
• Sensor will need to be in DT.
• Not dosing at the moment but may consider Kalkwasser in the future and would like to do this with the ATo.
• Built-in safety would be nice.

I'm currently looking at Tunze Nano, Tunze Osmolator, AutoAqua Smart ATO. Any advice?

 

[Brian Kim]

They are all excellent choices, there's also JBJ ATO

 

[bevo5]

The tunze 3155 is great. Better than nano as it has two sensors for backup. You will need to adjust the pump speed to lowest setting so it doesn't shoot a ton of freshwater in each time you turn power off and on. That's easy to do though.

 

[Vinh]

@bevo5 That's one of the questions I couldn't find an answer for. So at the lowest setting on the 3155 is it slow enough for dosing Kalkwasser? Also, since I'll be placing the sensor in the DT what's the highest water level I'll be able to achieve with a rimmed tank?

 

[Reefaddict305]

Tunze osmolator universal is the best one.

 

[bevo5]

Good questions. I don't know about the alk but I'd assume is depends on how potent the mix is. It will dump about a quarter of a cup when power goes off and on. But there are ways to deal with that. On a 10g tank there just isn't much room for error.

Putting in the display on a rimmed tank is going to probably leave like 1.5 to 2 inches. That's about where the optical sensor would be given the size of the unit. Might not be what you want.

 

[Vinh]

Putting in the display on a rimmed tank is going to probably leave like 1.5 to 2 inches. That's about where the optical sensor would be given the size of the unit. Might not be what you want.

That's disappointing. I have a feeling they're all like that.

 

[Ghidellas]

I can help eliminate one option for you. I would not recommend the auto aqua smart. Even though it works great for my 2 setups it has got stuck in the on position before. I have a switch above it to shut it off thru apex so it's fine but for you I would Def not recommend. Hope that helps narrow your choice some

 

[Vinh]

@Ghidellas Definitely helpful. Thank you!

I'm currently leaning towards Tunze Osmolator original. One thought I had was add a trim around the tank to hide the water line. Maybe even use black electric tape if it doesn't look too tacky.

Can anyone speak to the Tunze Nano? Anyone using it for dosing kalkwasser? And how well does it work in a rimmed DT with respects to water level?

 

[Vinh]

After more research I'm really leaning towards Tunze Nano especially given the cost. I found out it does come with a safety timer. However, I'm seeing conflicting information that says the shutoff timer is 5 minutes but on another site it says it can be set at either 1.8 or 3 minutes. Can anyone confirm which is correct? Would really prefer the lowest setting.

 

[TheEngineer]

Look at the avast ATO. It uses air pressure so you can set it at whatever height you want. You'll need to buy a pump for it.

 

[bevo5]

Sleekest option would be a single float valve placed into a small notch in the trim. You would just have no safety net. Plug it into apex with a small pump that only can run for a minute at a time. Apex can do that for you.

live on the edge!!

 

[Cment]

Ive had nothing but great success with the tunze 3155. Dont get the nano version in case you want to upgrade down the road. Ive been using these for the last 10 yrs and never had a single problem. Money well spent in my book...

 

[Vinh]

I really want to do 3155 but can't tell how well it will work with a rimmed tank. I really don't want the water level to be too low from the top.

 

[UMreefermedic]

That's the tunze nano. I've been using it for about 3 months after my jbj broke. It has a bracket to hold the line filling water and it looks like it can hold in a rimmed tank . I attached some pics so you see it actually set up

 

[UMreefermedic]

And the bottom pic has the sensor ... one magnet . And it has a built in safety . For the price it has worked great

 

[Vinh]

Thanks @UMreefermedic

I'm more interested to know the measurement between the top of the magnet to the water level line. Also, approximately how much water does it fill when it gets triggered? In your opinion could it be used to dose Kalkwasser?

 

[UMreefermedic]

You can probably set the sensor about 1.5 in from the top . But remember if you fill your tank to the rim anytime you reach In it might overflow. Usually about 3 to 5 seconds about 3 times a day and keeps my salinity stable

 

[Vinh]

I'm not filling to the rim. I have a rimmed tank so inside the tank is a plastic lip which is the highest point I can set the sensor. The distance from the top of the lip to the bottom of the trim on the outside of the tank is about 3/4". So if the top of the magnet to the water level is 3/4" or less than it would be perfect.

 

[SandJ]

I have the Tunze 3152 (believe that is the number, nano with float sensor only). It is on a rimmed 36 gallon bow front. I just measured and the highest I can get the water level is 1" from the bottom of the rim. The water level stays exactly at the bottom of the trim.

I have considered cutting some off the top of the plastic housing that the float switch is on, but I like having a little bit of wiggle room just in case it runs a little too long.

The only issue I have had with mine is the pump not priming. I have to take the pump out of the ato jug to fill it up. When it starts up the first time I have to shake the pump a little to get it started again. Once it gets going, it works perfect.