Looking for a reliable plug and play ATO

[daniella3d]

I use 2 JBJ ATO on my 2 tank and they have worked flawlessly for a year now. Much less expensive than the tunzee which was not in my budget for my 2 aquariums.

Originally Posted by Fellow

The return section of my sump is so small (~5gallon) that it needs to be topped up every day or the return pump starts sucking air.

I am looking for a trusted ATO that will work out of the box and preferably something with built in redundancy.

[Pescador]

For another option check out Blue Line's Tsunami AT1 I've used one for 8 years literally without any maintenance. No moving parts it uses air pressure.
You should be able to find one for $60-$70
Don't use the suction cup, zip tie it to a bracket.

[fishytime]

Tunze

[randallino]

Tunze 3 years running.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Pescador

For another option check out Blue Line's Tsunami AT1 I've used one for 8 years literally without any maintenance. No moving parts it uses air pressure.
You should be able to find one for $60-$70
Don't use the suction cup, zip tie it to a bracket.

From their site:

>> When the water level in the sump drops 1", the AT1 will turn on the reservoir pump and turn it off after the sump fills up 1".

That could allow for some significant salinity fluctuations depending on the size of the sump/compartment the sensor is in. What I like about the Tunze is the precision.

[Pescador]

Originally Posted by lastlight

From their site:

>> When the water level in the sump drops 1", the AT1 will turn on the reservoir pump and turn it off after the sump fills up 1".

That could allow for some significant salinity fluctuations depending on the size of the sump/compartment the sensor is in. What I like about the Tunze is the precision.

It depends on your sump for sure, an inch in my sump is about 6.25g in a 330g system. I like that it doesn't cycle the RO/DI to the top up barrel too often and I still can't (knock on wood) get over how reliable it's been.

[intarsiabox]

I have no personal experience with the units but have heard good things about the ones on autotopoff.com. The tunze units are good too, the only complaints I've heard from a couple of people is that the pumps don't last very long.

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

I have no personal experience with the units but have heard good things about the ones on autotopoff.com. The tunze units are good too, the only complaints I've heard from a couple of people is that the pumps don't last very long.

I've replaced the Osmolator pump once in about 5 years of service. Replacements cost about $25.

Poor Vince . . .

[Fellow]

Thanks for all the responses.

Would anyone care to post a picture of how they set up their Tunze?

I'm really just looking for how you set up the pump to your reservoir. I am not sure what I will be using to hold my top up water (space in the cabinet is limited) so any ideas are welcome.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

The tunze units are good too, the only complaints I've heard from a couple of people is that the pumps don't last very long.

I dont know how many others will admit to this but.......I had to replace the pump on my Tunze after about two years but I suspect that is because I had forgot to top up the reservoir and the pump had run dry on several occasions.....I would think that I would have greatly extended the life of the pump if I wasnt such a bonehead....even so it is a relatively cheap part to replace