Looking for a reliable plug and play ATO

[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.

[lastlight]

If you're near a cold air return you could always use an old tank down in the basement on some sort of shelf or stand and run the hose through the opening in the wall. I just made a hole in my wall but you get the idea. Bigger volume and not taking up space upstairs.

[intarsiabox]

I just put an empty 20g tank beside my sump on the return side, a short piece of hose from the pump into the return section and voila! I'm assuming you already know but the float switch of what ever brand you choose also goes into the return section of the sump.

[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