What's a Good ATO system?

[rayn]

If they run dry then they fail quickly. However that is where the 5 minute max run comes into play.

I do have to say I found my first negative about them. They redesigned the holder for the level sensor. It used to just sit out in the water exposed, now it has a little plastic piece it sits inside of. Now not a big deal usually, but if you have a bunch of bubbles that get trapped in there, it reads like the level is low and runs the pump. How do I know this you ask?....

 

[MrDJeep123]

If they run dry then they fail quickly. However that is where the 5 minute max run comes into play.

I do have to say I found my first negative about them. They redesigned the holder for the level sensor. It used to just sit out in the water exposed, now it has a little plastic piece it sits inside of. Now not a big deal usually, but if you have a bunch of bubbles that get trapped in there, it reads like the level is low and runs the pump. How do I know this you ask?....

I'm assuming you use the float sensor separate to the optical sensor on the magnet? I have mine aside the optical sensor on the big ol' magnet. If the water fills the slightest, I want to know, assuming I'm home to do something about it.

 

[-Logzor]

Pump? Do you let them run dry? I see that they are pretty sensitive if left to run dry. Or is it the connectors? Three pumps seems terribly excessive to fail.

The first run dry a couple times and I believe this cause the pre-mature failure, the second was take pretty good care of but was also used. The third I just added and I hope it will last a long time. The thing about my UPLC-II is that I can run it dry all day and it doesn't matter, plus it can pump up 30 feet and across 50 feet. I can also submerge the input tubing without worry of siphoning.

 

[rayn]

I'm assuming you use the float sensor separate to the optical sensor on the magnet? I have mine aside the optical sensor on the big ol' magnet. If the water fills the slightest, I want to know, assuming I'm home to do something about it.

Yes I use them separately. The old style was that big ol' magnet as well.

 

[MrDJeep123]

The first run dry a couple times and I believe this cause the pre-mature failure, the second was take pretty good care of but was also used. The third I just added and I hope it will last a long time. The thing about my UPLC-II is that I can run it dry all day and it doesn't matter, plus it can pump up 30 feet and across 50 feet. I can also submerge the input tubing without worry of siphoning.

I seen the spectrapure has a drain feature. That's pretty cool. I currently use my skimmer for that. Most especially since it's great at flooding the floor. My cabinet is too small to put it under there. How long did you have the used systems until the pump conked out? Was it worth buying it as used? I think that would be my concern. I almost bought one used, but BRS had the black friday sale, so I kind of had to jump on that.

 

[Shep]

So I see that the Tunze 3152 only has a float sensor, would this be problematic if I have surface agitation? I do not have a sump to put it in.

 

[-Logzor]

I seen the spectrapure has a drain feature. That's pretty cool. I currently use my skimmer for that. Most especially since it's great at flooding the floor. My cabinet is too small to put it under there. How long did you have the used systems until the pump conked out? Was it worth buying it as used? I think that would be my concern. I almost bought one used, but BRS had the black friday sale, so I kind of had to jump on that.

I think it was a good value used and who knows how old it was to begin with. Overall I am happy with it and the pumps are really cheap to replace at only $20.

 

[MrDJeep123]

So I see that the Tunze 3152 only has a float sensor, would this be problematic if I have surface agitation? I do not have a sump to put it in.

There are 2 ATOs, the 3155 which has the optical eye and float sensor, and then the nano which you referenced. I can tell you that the float switch won't activate an alarm until it reaches the top of the switch. However, that's on the 3155. I don't know how the other one is designed to work without the optical sensor.
@rayn, I just read through the book. You don't have to change the alarm settings, there are 3 options. A) alarm will sound if float switch is activated, B) A and/or if the pump has ran its expiration of 10 minutes, and C) always off. I'm going to change mine to option B).

 

[LILBUDDHA]

I have owned Ultralife, cheap diy ,Reef Fanatic, Tunze and the ATO for the reefkeeper . I had no major issues with the any of them .Tunze gave the most life . The mention of no sump would be an issue with almost any top unit if u were using strong pumps with wave action . The Tunze model (not the 3152? ) now have a control dial on the pump to increase head pressure and run 10 seconds longer to keep the pump from short cycling . This would definitely happen in a tank with no sump and strong water movement via tunze, vortech , jebao . I put my vote on the 3155 since it can grow with you when u upgrade down the road .

 

[rayn]

@rayn, I just read through the book. You don't have to change the alarm settings, there are 3 options. A) alarm will sound if float switch is activated, B) A and/or if the pump has ran its expiration of 10 minutes, and C) always off. I'm going to change mine to option B).

Knew it was something, just couldn't remember the specifics. The adjustment for flow is in there too. Ten minutes, I thought it was 5?

 

[skidrow52]

Tunze osmolator

 

[ILLA]

I use ATM and im happy with it.