Woke up this morning to find that my ATO had decided to empty the contents of the RODI water reservoir into the system. Luckily the water didn't quite overflow the tank.....missed that by about 1/8 of an inch. It dropped the salinity down to about 1.023 from the normal 1.025. The unit is the Tunze Nano and has worked well for about 6 months. It only has the one basic float sensor which must have failed in some fashion or the controller has died. Does anyone have either experience with Tunze reliability and does anyone have any recommendations for ATO units?
My ATO failed..... recommendations?
- Thread starter Neil S.
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Montiman
Valuable Member
I have both the full size and the nano Tunze and have never had a problem with either that wasn't my fault. I once had my nano fail and after sending it in to Tunze they sent me photos of water damage on the controller. The controller was so small I didn't use a drip loop because I just thought of it as just a cord. Since the new controller 2 years without issue.
Did the unit truly fail or did the timer turn off the unit?
Did the unit truly fail or did the timer turn off the unit?
P-Dub
The ocean is open to all, merciful to none.
+1 For the Tunze. Flawless performance and reliability for me so far.
Rubblereefer
Active Member
The tunze nano gets terrible reviews, check BRS. I went with the IM ato but I cant speak to its reliability as I have only had it hooked up for a month.
After 18 months my 3152 pump failed Tunzi was more than happy to send me a replacement for free! so far knock on wood my 3155 has been functioning just fine. Inappropriate reefer just did a review of his micro that he’s been using check it out on YouTube he liked it a lot.
Jon Fishman
Cleveland Ohio, buy/sell local!
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How long have you used it? Was the water level in the reservoir filled above the point you're return line to the tank/sump is? I've caused siphon more than once..... and filled a lot of ATO water into my tank!
Joelopez02
Community Member
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auto aqua smart ATO is a good ato its worked fine for me for about 8 months so far . and the sensor is the size of a penny!
I have been using the Tunze osmolator 3155 it has worked perfect. Only problem I have had was created by me. I moved my ATO tank slightly higher. When I did that I ended up creating a siphon effect the next time it ran. That caused to much water to fill my tank.
I contacted Tunze USA and they helped me identify my error.
I contacted Tunze USA and they helped me identify my error.
Dragon52
2500 Club Member
I use BRS's 2 sensor unit for 2/3 yrs & the only issues I've had have been my fault.
Edit: Just did some searching & it looks like they don't offer their own kits anymore.
Edit: Just did some searching & it looks like they don't offer their own kits anymore.
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Rubblereefer
Active Member
I use this one too, but I wouldnt reccomend others use it. I have not had a failure but there is a lot to be desired in terms of redundancy, the system is pretty bulky, and the wires arent long enough really. My ato reservior is only a gallon but if it were bigger I would switch systems to something with an optical sensor and preferably multiple layers of protection.
Rubblereefer
Active Member
Checking thier website, they sell a "long wire" version which must be what you have and I should have gotten (my wires are like 18" from the solenoid). How does the RODI turn off on yours? Electric solenoid? I didnt have room for both float valves in my sump setup unfortunately but again my reservior is only a gallon so I really dont have to worry.I run mine straight from my rodi unit. The wires are plenty long on mine (about 6ft) and I have a double float switch for redundancy.
40ozboys
Community Member
Get yourself a neptune ato v2, and additional optical sensors, can be used as a standalone but would personally hook it up to apex, Have one sensor in my ato reservoir to tell me when my rodi is low and one sensor in the sump to kill the ato power if it ever reaches the sensor, with mobile alarms for both.
Eggs
Well-Known Member
I had this happen with the Tunze Nano ATO. I ended up soaking the sensor in vinegar water then rinsed in RODI. Haven’t had the issue happen again.
