What is the best ATO for you??

[ShawnSaucier]

Hey everyone,
We may have all gone through this problem once or twice. My ATO has been a bit of a thorn in my side. It's a JBJ and is 2 years old,
in the last 4 months it has failed and dumped close to 5 gallons of fresh into my tank each time (75g). This morning I was prepping to
my weekly tank maint. and this has happened again. Salinity dropped from 1.25 to 1.23, not major, but it caused my skimmer to over-
flow and return all of that skimmate to the sump. I've been wanting to upgrade for a bit, so I'm asking you my fellow hobbyists, What
Is Your Fav ATO and Why??

 

[-Logzor]

Spectrapure Ultra Precise Auto Top-Off. It's simply the best. It's foolproof and won't fail on you. Running solid for 4+ years now. Yes it costs $250 but what does your livestock cost? Also note this ATO is self-contained, some people think it needs the Litermeter and this is not true.

I also have the Tunze ATO on my QT system, it's simply not as nice, reliable, or functional.

 

[Steelerfan747]

Tunze osmolator. It is fail proof. It has an optic lens that lets the system know when it needs to top off but will only allow the pump to run for a maximum of 10 secs before it shuts off so no chance of it getting stuck in the on position.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ritter6788]

I run a JBJ also. What failed on yours and made it dump all the water?

 

[Mufasa31]

I have the JBJ, a float switch hooked up to a RKL and the Tunze Osmolator.

I have not had any problems with any of them. However, if I had only 1 tank, I would probably go with the Tunze.

Nice having the optical eye and the float switch as a backup.

 

[Troylee]

I have used the aqua hub and currently use a jbj... Never had a problem with either... It almost sounds like your having a siphon problem... Make sure your pump is above the water level in the sump and leave the hose like 1" out of the water so it has a air gap to break any siphons... Hth

 

[ShawnSaucier]

Thanks for the many responses. I'll be honest, I'm not sure what has failed on the JBJ, all I know is that it's happened more than once. Pumps is elevated, 4" gap from water line and ATO tube. It may be placement of the sensors. I have them in the return pump compartment of my sump. But I have had this for over two years and had gotten it used from a friend. I clean the sensors monthly also. It could just be time for a new one. I've had the tunze in the past, loved it but it was very sensetive to water turbulence. Been reading on the spectra pure. Would like a bit more opinion on that unit if anyone has used it.

 

[Tabasco1]

I have the jbj and not a fan. It works great for a while (days or a week) and the will stop working. The sensor lights that say the reservoir is dry come on. But there will be plenty of water in the reservoir. All I have to do to get is started againg is manually top off until sensor lights go out.

Not a huge deal, but not something I trust for when I go on vaca.

I will be looking for a new ATo before my next big trip.

 

[impur]

I pieced one together myself, along with parts from aquahub for around $25. In 8 years i've had 1 float switch fail, and it failed in the open position. But I have a backup float as well, so even if it failed in the closed position it would not done any damage to my tank.

Its real basic: 2 float switches, a relay, an aqualifter, and a 5gal tank.

 

[Steelerfan747]

Thanks for the many responses. I'll be honest, I'm not sure what has failed on the JBJ, all I know is that it's happened more than once. Pumps is elevated, 4" gap from water line and ATO tube. It may be placement of the sensors. I have them in the return pump compartment of my sump. But I have had this for over two years and had gotten it used from a friend. I clean the sensors monthly also. It could just be time for a new one. I've had the tunze in the past, loved it but it was very sensetive to water turbulence. Been reading on the spectra pure. Would like a bit more opinion on that unit if anyone has used it.

Turbulence? Where did you have the optic lens set up? Mine runs great. It is the best investment I have ever made.

 

[-Logzor]

Thanks for the many responses. I'll be honest, I'm not sure what has failed on the JBJ, all I know is that it's happened more than once. Pumps is elevated, 4" gap from water line and ATO tube. It may be placement of the sensors. I have them in the return pump compartment of my sump. But I have had this for over two years and had gotten it used from a friend. I clean the sensors monthly also. It could just be time for a new one. I've had the tunze in the past, loved it but it was very sensetive to water turbulence. Been reading on the spectra pure. Would like a bit more opinion on that unit if anyone has used it.

The spectrapure uses an air pressure sensor. You actually program the unit how sensitive it should be. I have mine set to run if water drops 1/16" but you can give it a much larger range. You can also set how often it doses, for example, you can set it to a constant flow when the sensor is triggered or you can set it at a slower rate, so it takes a long time to fill up. This is perfect if you dose kalk in your top-off. With the tunze it just turns on and dumps it in at once.

I also have my reservoir setup 20' away, the pump is able to PULL water from that far away.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure UPLC-II for me also, they don't come any better or more bulletproof. The adjustability is amazing and the pump is the same as the LiterMeter III so the best around.

 

[Nano man]

Tunze osmolator hands down, I use it on my 6 gallon jbj and am very very satisfied.
I would say it's the best bang for your buck and none else has the optical lens since it's a patent product.
It's a one time purchase for life and you'll never look back, hell I paid more for that than my tank stock.

 

[strange33w]

been using the Tunze osmolator and am very happy with it