What is the best ATO system?

Daniel@R2R · Oct 31, 2013

Which auto top off is the best? I know Tunze, JBJ, and Hydor all make systems...and then there are the other systems that are mostly dual float valve systems. Is it worth it to go with an expensive system like Tunze or JBJ?

Djannel · Oct 31, 2013

IME, Tunze is the way to go. Spectra (can't remember the model) brand is also another solid option.

AZDesertRat · Oct 31, 2013

Spectrapure UPLC II hands down is the best in my book. 5+ years trouble free on mine so far.

Small triggers · Nov 1, 2013

I have an avast ato....it's more than the jbj....but less than the tunze...and I haven't had any problems with it in the year and a half it's been set up...

Dowtish · Nov 1, 2013

Tunze has been good to me. Worth every penny! I have had 2 JBJ's fail in a short amount of time.

greg 45 · Nov 1, 2013

avast had it for years no issues no electric in tank a plus

kschweer · Nov 1, 2013

greg 45 said:
avast had it for years no issues no electric in tank a plus

+1. No issues with the 2 I have.

TonyB · Nov 1, 2013

Avast.

gacolt · Nov 1, 2013

tunze all day long.there customer service is amazing.jbj are good aswell but if you can spend the extra cash go with the tunze.jbj seem to fail as stated above.

revhtree · Nov 1, 2013

I have not used anything other than the JBJ and Tunze. I like them both but love the preciseness of the Tunze Osmolator.

-Logzor · Nov 1, 2013

I have the Tunze ATO on my QT system and my Spectrapure UPLC on my main display. Why? Because the Spectrapure can pull water from a remote reservoir, it wont burn up if I run it without water, and the sensor is superior to that of the tunze. I burned up a tunze motor because the reservoir for my QT kept getting too low. While the tunze has an auto-shut off, it still runs for awhile and damages the motor. Eventually it just died, luckily I had a backup motor. In addition, I can tell the UPLC to add water as quickly or slowly as I want, the tunze just dumps it in, this is an advantage if you're running kalk in your top-off and want to add it throughout the day.

The Spectrapure has been running flawlessly for over 5 years.

mclawrence · Nov 1, 2013

The verdict isn't in yet for me

I bought a Tunze nano ATO a few weeks ago and it doesn't seem to work well with my 20gal rimmed tank. It has to sit lower than I'd like. I thought I had it in a good position and it didn't work when I went out of town. I just ordered a JBJ for this tank and I'll move the Tunze to my 12 inch cube rimless tank at the office. Fingers crossed. Any suggestions for using the Tunze around the rim would be appreciated. Also, any suggestions for a pump for the JBJ, too. What I usually do when I go out of town is put saran wrap around the top of my tank and that helps a lot keeping evaporation down but I'd really like to keep my tank's system stable on a daily basis.

specvjeff · Nov 1, 2013

I really like my Tunze Osmolator. It has been working flawlessly for over a year. Can't recommend it enough!

b-o-b-s · Nov 2, 2013

Spectrapure for me. Have to reset and calibrate every so often but its a very nice product

thirdchild · Nov 2, 2013

I like my Spectrapure. Decided to go with it because it was important to me to keep the ATO container in another room aprox 8ft away. Also very handy that it's alright if it runs dry accidentally.

DogueDeBordeaux · Nov 2, 2013

AZDesertRat said:
Spectrapure UPLC II hands down is the best in my book. 5+ years trouble free on mine so far.

same here

monkiboy · Nov 2, 2013

I like the a vast reliability but not their top off pump. Run the avast with a top off pump of your choice and you're set

bkhunt · Nov 2, 2013

ATO - I like the one I built for $2.50 and has been working for over a year with no problems. I used a scrap piece of plexi that I heated with a plumbers torch to make a 90 degree bend and a small camp I already had- a cheap extention cord I had around the house - small powerhead that we all have laying around - some tubing that we all have laying around - 1 of the orange buckets I had for tank - and a float switch I purchased from e-bay for about $2.50

Coraloliseffect · Nov 2, 2013

Run a jbj into a calk reactor so need the pressure of the pump. But I find the reliability of the jbj or the turn on reliability of the pump questionable. After putting a timer on the hole system to reset it ever so often. It works out its bugs. My other system has a float valve with gravity feed. I like this way better. KISS