Which ATO would you choose?

[weaponsofmassdesign]

I am currently rebuilding my sump and plumbing for my 165g reef. One of the things I plan on changing is the ATO system. I currently use float switches with a controller. This setup hasn't been very reliable lately. After seeing that two new ATO systems have/are coming out I've started to do some research on these. Innovative Marine's new Hydrofill came out this month and Hydor is suppose to release their Smart Level Control in September. There is also the Tunze Osmolater. I want to know which one everybody would go with if you were going to get a new ATO system.

 

[Paul C.]

I have 2 tanks, and both run a Tunze. After 16 months of use, both remain rock steady performers.

 

[fishjunky]

Tunze for sure !!!

 

[navila06]

I have been using a Tunze 3155 for about a year. I haven't used anything else, so I can't compare. I will tell ya that it is the most boring aquarium equipment I have. and I love it for that.

 

[-Logzor]

Spectrapure ultra precise ATO. This one uses a peristaltic pump that can send water 30 ft up and 60 ft across and it cannot burn up like the tunze can. I have both and I believe the spectra pure is vastly superior.

 

[TighTT]

Spectrapure ultra precise ATO. This one uses a peristaltic pump that can send water 30 ft up and 60 ft across and it cannot burn up like the tunze can. I have both and I believe the spectra pure is vastly superior.

Doesnt the Spectrapure just use two float switches??

Tunze gets my vote.

 

[Pappy]

I've always used the jbj and have never had a problem. See no need to spend more than $100 on ato.

 

[Palting]

I have two tanks. Both use Tunze. Running for more than 3 years. I even abused one by running kalk for several months, with no issues.

 

[matty0206]

Doesnt the Spectrapure just use two float switches??

Tunze gets my vote.

No, it uses a pressure switch like the Avast units with a float as a backup. I love mine and I really like having my reservoir 25 feet away in the garage.

 

[G2theRam]

I really want the one the innovative marine just announced but its not for sale yet

 

[chefmur]

Love my Tunze

 

[G2theRam]

I really want the one the innovative marine just announced but its not for sale yet

 

[TighTT]

No, it uses a pressure switch like the Avast units with a float as a backup. I love mine and I really like having my reservoir 25 feet away in the garage.

Hmm...maybe I'll check one out.

 

[-Logzor]

I think the issue here is that everyone has tunze and recommend tunze. No doubt that the tunze is a fantastic piece of equipment but having operated both for years, the spectra pure is simply better in every way. I've been running mine for 5 years now. The sensor is better because it is a pressure switch, which is resilient to salt creep, algae, etc.

You can also set the unit to add water at 10%-100% rate, this allows the user to top off with kalk and spread out the dosing. The tunze just dumps it all in at once.

Obviously you can't go wrong with either but if you're a stickler about high performance versatile equipment then I highly recommend the spectra pure.

 

[Palting]

You can also set the unit to add water at 10%-100% rate, this allows the user to top off with kalk and spread out the dosing. The tunze just dumps it all in at once.

Obviously you can't go wrong with either but if you're a stickler about high performance versatile equipment then I highly recommend the spectra pure.

I don't know what you mean by "dumps it all in at once". My reef tank evaporates 3 gallons a day. The Tunze adds water for a few seconds at a time, multiple times a day, in small volumes. In one of my tank sumps, I have a skimmer that is very sensitive to water levels and sits in the return section along with the Tunze sensor. The water level there barely fluctuates, thanks to the sensitivity of the sensor, and the skimmer never notices and the skim is consistently perfect. The problem is that Tunze is tried, true and proven, and it's difficult for another product, excellent though it may be, to outdo it or dislodge it from it's pedestal.

 

[robf]

The Spectrapure Litemeter 3 with water exchange module is amazing. I have owned the tune and the jbj. Spectrapure employs a continuous dosing strategy for top off and water changes. It's really a step above the other methods an far more robust IMO.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure Ultra Precise UPLC-II. Been bulletproof for over 5 years now. I would get another in a heartbeat.

 

[caldone]

JBJ here I can see spending all that money on anything else. I have never had issues with the jbj using two switches

 

[reelsilly]

I've used a ton if different ones by far and forever more I will have an AVAST Marine top off. I used it with a toms aqualifter. Never one problem with it...ever

 

[nitro'sreef]

tagging along my jbj ato is Done ​