how long has your tunze ato pump lasted

[tjnorthdakota]

I am dosing kalk in my ato and am wondering how long peoples pumps have lasted doing this? I hear all the time that it shortens the life expectancy of the pump, but cant find by how much. Using a tunze 3155 with stock pump, gauging whether I want to continue dosing it this way or invest in a kalk stirrer.

 

[MrDJeep123]

I don't know how much it shortens the length of the pump. But I'd clean it every so often to prevent buildup. The cost to replace the pump isn't huge to replace if and when it does die.

 

[Piranhapat]

I still have my Tunze in box never used it yet. Waiting for my old ATO that I paid $50 about 4 years ago that still working. Hopefully when I do open it . It will work as good as the cheap one.

 

[jd371]

I don't know how much it shortens the length of the pump. But I'd clean it every so often to prevent buildup. The cost to replace the pump isn't huge to replace if and when it does die.

I run RODI water mixed with vinegar through it once a month to clean it. I also have a spare on hand just in case.

 

[fredro]

The 3155 is a rock solid unit and likely the most reliable in the hobby. As stated earlier, the replacement pumps are also very inexpensive, should there be an issue. I keep one as a backup just bc it's not cost effective not to. Although I don't use kalk with mine, I can see a reasonable maintenance schedule being enough to ensure continued operation. The pumps are quite strong for their size and don't seem particularly susceptible to failures.

 

[ReeferBob]

Mine went out after around 2 years but that was because I let it run dry one too many times (I forget to fill the ATO reservoir). It still worked actually it was just getting very loud. New ones are cheap and so far I haven't let it run dry again.....yet.

 

[johnwick]

Mine gave up after about a year without Alk involved. Roger sent me a new one for free. Went ahead and bought a spare at the same time because for that price why not.

 

[Opus]

Mine has lasted 4 or 5 years and it runs dry constantly, sometimes for hours before I add more water. If you are worried you should look into the Tunze kalk kit that hooks up to the ATO.