What ATO system should I use ????

[russell13]

i have been using the Tunze 3155 on my tank. I just purchased a used Apex system that came with the ATK top off system. I was planning on using it but I have been reading that people have had problems with them. So now I can’t decide which one to use ????
If you have an ATK how is it working for you ?

 

[BranchingHammer]

The icecap ATO always performs well for me, though I’m not using it with an apex.

 

[cojo8888]

Tunze 3155 all the way. Most reliable ato in the market. Just be careful on setting. I put mine on max instead of nano for my nano and was overpumping (had to find a problem for 2 days I'm stupid haha). Without a doubt tunze is the best.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I have been very happy with my Avast ATO. It hooks up to my Apex and has been super reliable over the last 4 years. I haven't cleaned it once. Maybe I should clean it lol...

 

[Tastee]

I have been using the ATK for about 10 months now and have only had one issue, which I believe was a software issue that has now gone away - presume Neptune fixed it in an AOS update. That issue was that the FMM suddenly stopped running the PMUP and I had to power cycle the FMM. It happened 3 times, the last of which was about 4 months ago. Since then no issues.

In my case however I have the PMUP located outside the house in my RODI reservoir and I only run it once a day to top up the stock gravity fed ATO reservoir in my Red Sea Reefer 250.

I have seen plenty of other posts complaining about the noise of the PMUP and it’s (poor) reliability. I personally have not had these issues, but of course as it is located outside noise is not an issue for me. Similarly running it once a day probably prolongs it’s life and helps with the reliability - perhaps it would be worse if I was running it for short cycles much more frequently.

I will be buying another one for my planned RSR 525XL tank to use in this configuration as it works very well for me.

 

[magikfly]

I've been using this for the last 6 months and am extremely satisfied with it.
https://www.amazon.com/Smart-ATO-Micro-Automatic-AutoAqua-x/dp/B0195D3LC6

 

[Reefnoobz90]

I second the auto aqua... And it's on sale here

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/collections/sumps-and-storage/products/smart-ato-micro-120p

 

[LiveWire]

I have been using an Avast Marine Works ATO for many years and have not once had an issue. It comes Apex ready so its plug and play. Plug it in, Adjust the tube for your water height and done. Simple yet effective.

https://avastmarine.com/products/ato-kit

 

[wildcrazyjoker81]

I have been very happy with my Avast ATO. It hooks up to my Apex and has been super reliable over the last 4 years. I haven't cleaned it once. Maybe I should clean it lol...

I have been using an Avast Marine Works ATO for many years and have not once had an issue. It comes Apex ready so its plug and play. Plug it in, Adjust the tube for your water height and done. Simple yet effective.

https://avastmarine.com/products/ato-kit

I am like these two individuals and have been using the Avast ATO for many years. I think I actually bought it when they were still Grey Sea Aquatics (GSA) lol...yeah its that old. I use mine with a peristaltic pump and it has been bullet proof for well over 6 years. The ATO needs no maintenance at all really. Love the fact it works off pressure and no moving parts.

 

[Zohar78]

for my big tank, i plan on getting the tunze 3155. on my 40b, im using the the innovative marine ato, with the toms aqualifter pump, and a plain white 5g bucket. cheap, and effective. the aqualifter is a little bit noisy though. but i typically dont mind it.

 

[Water Dog]

i have been using the Tunze 3155 on my tank. I just purchased a used Apex system that came with the ATK top off system. I was planning on using it but I have been reading that people have had problems with them. So now I can’t decide which one to use ????
If you have an ATK how is it working for you ?

Between the two that you have, I’d recommend that you stick with your Tunze 3155 and plug it into an Apex outlet if you want to have control over it. The Tunze 3155 uses a superior optical sensor over the ATK. I’ve often gone over a year and a half without cleaning my Tunze optical sensor without any issues. Quite frankly, I’m disappointed with Neptune using some of the poorest quality optical sensors in the hobby. They get fouled regularly, not only on the ATK system but on the DDR reservoir system as well.

The only thing I use the FMM for is leak detection, and even the reliability on that use is spotty at best as I do get some false alarms from time to time.