Ato for a sumpless tank??

[nanomania]

Love their ATO's, have two of the Micro units for the Coral and Fish QT's, they run really well.



I am running the APEX ATK on my DT, it has run seamlessly since I purchased it as long as I remember to keep the reservoir full...lots of fail safes, easy to use in either Stand Alone Mode or an Apex Connected Mode. I agree with @Mandrew if your going to $200, go with the ATK.

Thats way beyond my budget. :(

 

[jsker]

Thanks, will it work for a 130g? Where to buy from online? Im from india, but can ask my friend to get as he is coming from usa after 2 weeks

Purchased mine on Amazon

 

[nanomania]

How are these??? Asking as they are under 90$

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M...sr=8-16&keywords=auto+top+off+system+aquarium

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001...m+aquarium&dpPl=1&dpID=41Kf8Z57k8L&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016...sr=8-12&keywords=auto+top+off+system+aquarium

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015...m+aquarium&dpPl=1&dpID=515c5LVhYdL&ref=plSrch

 

[ReeferRoo]

I also have an older JBJ ATO with float switches ($80 give or take without the pump), got it used, never used it myself, got kind of nervous with the float switches as I was starting up my tank this year because of invert shenanigans, they really do get into everything so unless your running a sump and you can isolate it in the return chamber it wouldn't be my first choice.

But if budget inst going to allow for a 130-200 dollar unit with optical sensors, then find a unit you like that has decent reviews that you can afford, just follow @radiata 's advice and snail proof it.

When I have to snail/invert proof something I use this...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-E-O-6-in-x-20-ft-Plastic-Gutter-Guard-VX620/202518614

or similar, very cheap and works wonders, easy to work with, scissors and Zip Ties. I have used it on my DT overflow, my sump (prevent larger inverts from going back to the media chamber), and used it to keep my sand sifting start fish from knocking over some frag plugs in the sand bed on occasion.

Also, another word of advice...when you hook it up, only keep enough water in the reservoir for a day or two until you know it is running smoothly and have a good handle on how much the system is going to need on a daily basis and gauge your reservoir size on how long you want to go without refilling that. It's kinda scary when you come home to an alarm and your recently filled reservoir is empty, happened on my coral QT, optical sensor was getting too much light and when the sensor tripped, it stayed on. The same can happen with a float switch with a snail or invert sitting on it or wedged between the glass and the float. The Coral QT is a 20 gallon fusion and I had 2 gallons of RO water in the reservoir. Water didn't overflow, but the tank was filled to the brim...salinity was down from 1.26 to 1.12...for a week after I only kept half a gallon in the reservoir until I figured out the light was causing the issue. Luckily it was my Coral QT and it was just cycling, no livestock! I only use float switches in my RODI storage container everything else is optical.

 

[ReeferRoo]

looking at reviews on bulk reef supply...found this one...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquahub-diy-top-it-off-kit-premium.html

 

[GoPitt88]

I use the Smart ATO Micro 120P - Auto Top Off System by AutoAqua. Bought it on Bulk Reef Supply, and have had it for about 8 months. My top-off water sits under my 55 gallon reef tank. Works perfectly. I have the top-off water flow into my hob filter. I've never had an issue. Every couple months, I just wipe the sensor clean cause it will get a thin film of algae on it. I have a screen top, so before the ATO, I was manually putting in water every day.....kind of a pain. The ATO is great!!!!

 

[Bunnee911]

I have the Tunze nano. Only one float switch.

 

[Reefing-Around]

My first and only ato was the Innovative Marine you looked at. Has titanium contacts that hold up very well, 5 months with 0 issues. Two titanium dual probes. One is the low probe, other is the fill probe. Attach via magnets and very simple to set your limits. They also make a pump that works great. Either way, with or without their pump, good system.

 

[Whisnantrider]

How are these??? Asking as they are under 90$

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M...sr=8-16&keywords=auto+top+off+system+aquarium

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001...m+aquarium&dpPl=1&dpID=41Kf8Z57k8L&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016...sr=8-12&keywords=auto+top+off+system+aquarium

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015...m+aquarium&dpPl=1&dpID=515c5LVhYdL&ref=plSrch

On my 65 gallon I used an autotopoff.com setup, you can plug in pretty much any pump you want and it NEVER Failed me in the 3 years I had it and I purchased it used.

And they are well within your budget.

 

[Skindog]

The float switch fails in a day, and i got 3 relays, they too fail in a day. I dont know the reason

Smart ato micro

 

[LarryFooter]

Avast marine has a good one under $100
https://www.avastmarine.com/products/ato-kit

 

[Bob Escher]

I hate hydor, it failed twice, lost my a few corals. Thats why looking for other options

Look at the apex ATK it's the same price as a good Tunze ($199.99) but has two fail safes on it

 

[nanomania]

On my 65 gallon I used an autotopoff.com setup, you can plug in pretty much any pump you want and it NEVER Failed me in the 3 years I had it and I purchased it used.

And they are well within your budget.

Wow.. they are so cheap. Are u using the double one? Since im from India, wud they work at 220v?

 

[Whisnantrider]

Wow.. they are so cheap. Are u using the double one? Since im from India, wud they work at 220v?

I had the double one. As far as the 220v I have no idea, you would definitely need to check with the company. I learned about them from the nano-reef forum they were popular on that forum, never saw anything negative and my experience was great. I did run mine in a sump though so I didn't have any issues with snails or anything. I would suggest some of the above mention critter proofing methods if you are using it where something may come into contact with it.

 

[Fritzhamer]

I ran a tunze ato on a sumpless finnex years ago. It was about 48" vertical and it handled it with no issue.

 

[Boom]

Just be sure that whatever ato / floatswitch you choose will be rated for whichever pump you find that can fill at that head height of 60 inches. Save yourself the $ and headaches of replacing overloaded circuits.

 

[nanomania]

Just be sure that whatever ato / floatswitch you choose will be rated for whichever pump you find that can fill at that head height of 60 inches. Save yourself the $ and headaches of replacing overloaded circuits.

I will contact the company, before i buy.

 

[flyfisherman]

Jbj, use a maxijet 900 or 1200...build a cage or wrap vinyl screen around the sensor in tank. These work great but you may need to replace a sensor here or there...if the sensor is triggering the ato when its touching the top of range thats a sign...

 

[Val Shebeko]

I have a sumpless with a plastic collar around the top. Any thoughts?

 

[nanomania]

Jbj, use a maxijet 900 or 1200...build a cage or wrap vinyl screen around the sensor in tank. These work great but you may need to replace a sensor here or there...if the sensor is triggering the ato when its touching the top of range thats a sign...

U mean it fails??