ATO Pump recommendation?

[CindyKz]

For those that are recommending the Tunze pump, how many are using one standalone, without an entire Tunze ATO system? I'll be using my apex to control the pump I buy. Wondering if there's a correlation between it working well and usi g an entire Tunze setup.

 

[Fin]

Are the tunze pump loud for you guys? Mine sounds like a high power radio control car. Don’t know if thats normal or not.

Absolutely. The noisiest thing in the system I have it on. Really surprised very few people ever even mention this.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tunze and Smart ATO. I can now add the Neptune ATK.
I have used JBJ and thought it was great but over time, not so reliable. The smart is great and space saving- just don't place sight glasses in path of any current ( I found out the hard way) as it will keep filling due to unsurity of water line.
Tunze seems to be the one with Least complaints. I just installed the Apex ATK on my big tank and so far I like it and the pump fills tank Very quickly

 

[Beardo]

I replaced my aqualifter with a LiterMeter peristaltic pump. Works perfect and much more reliable than the aqualifters were...costs a lot more too.

 

[User1]

Tunze and Smart ATO. I can now add the Neptune ATK.
I have used JBJ and thought it was great but over time, not so reliable. The smart is great and space saving- just don't place sight glasses in path of any current ( I found out the hard way) as it will keep filling due to unsurity of water line.
Tunze seems to be the one with Least complaints. I just installed the Apex ATK on my big tank and so far I like it and the pump fills tank Very quickly

If you don't mind providing a update later in the week with regards to the Apex ATK that would be super cool. I was looking at buying that today for my top off but after reading most of the reviews on BRS's portal I didn't pull the trigger. On their site it got a lot of bad press and I really don't want to waste 200 bucks. I like how it would be a part of the ecosystem but several of the complaints carried across other posters.

Originally I was just going to go gravity based with a float valve in my sump. I could still do that for a bit I guess albeit with less control...

 

[vetteguy53081]

If you don't mind providing a update later in the week with regards to the Apex ATK that would be super cool. I was looking at buying that today for my top off but after reading most of the reviews on BRS's portal I didn't pull the trigger. On their site it got a lot of bad press and I really don't want to waste 200 bucks. I like how it would be a part of the ecosystem but several of the complaints carried across other posters.

Originally I was just going to go gravity based with a float valve in my sump. I could still do that for a bit I guess albeit with less control...

Im happy to . What questions do you have?

 

[Wiskey]

I used Aqualifters as well but I had a few of them fail and finally got a LiterMeter. I love it, and it's been working flawlessly for me. I've had it about 2 years now.
http://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-OFF/LITERMETER-DOSING-SYSTEMS/Basic-LiterMeter-Dosing-Pump

Whiskey

 

[CindyKz]

THanks for all the input everyone! I'm having a tough time getting things set up in this tank....I think I will start with the BRS model, just in case I decide to go a different route. At least I won't be breaking the bank on an expensive peristaltic pump. If I can get it all working the way I want it to I can spring for a nicer one (probably Avast) and use the BRS as a backup.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just an FYI as you are comparing prices/units, both the Smart ATO and Neptune ATK come with pumps. .. . with good flow on both

 

[Flexin]

I also have an Apex running multiple tanks. Still use Smart ATO, no mechanical parts.

 

[CindyKz]

Just an FYI as you are comparing prices/units, both the Smart ATO and Neptune ATK come with pumps. .. . with good flow on both

I also have an Apex running multiple tanks. Still use Smart ATO, no mechanical parts.

No mechanical parts would be nice, but this is supposed to be my "budget" setup (yeah I know, sounds like a joke). I don't want to spend money on an entire ATO system when the apex can do it for me with just a pump and a couple of float switches. Although with as much trial and error this has taken, I'll probably end up spending as much :eek:

 

[Flexin]

It’s the adjusting and failures that will will be a pain.