ATO systems

Saaqib_Ansari · Oct 25, 2020

Anyone recommend any good ATO systems that they’ve used?

Ribo15 · Oct 25, 2020

Tunze osmolator. Hands down one of the best you can have. You won’t regret it. I tried cheaper ones and there is a reason they are cheaper

Dbichler · Oct 25, 2020

I love my avast

vetteguy53081 · Oct 25, 2020

Tunze one of the best and most popular.
Apex ATK great concept, but unreliable. For economy pricing, JBJ ato is a good unit.

Gernader · Oct 25, 2020

Tunze 3155 is my recommendation

SPR1968 · Oct 25, 2020

As already said the Tunze Osmolator, no hesitation

dwest · Oct 25, 2020

Spectrapure fan here

SpectraPure - Innovators in Water Technology

SpectraPure, Inc. is an Industry Standard in the Water Purification world. From Drinking Water to Aquarium Systems, you don't just want pure water, you want the PUREST Water! Get it with SpectraPure!

spectrapure.com

Jib · Oct 25, 2020

I've got the XP Aqua Duetto and really like it. Very compact which is perfect for my nano. The only downfall is the status LED is so bright I feel like I could light my tank with it...

Frances Hunter · Oct 25, 2020

I have the Tunze osmolator and I’m not happy with it. Bought this summer worked great for a couple of months. Then pump stop working. I ordered another pump, this one did the same thing, except it never worked. I contacted Bulkreef who sent a message to Tunze. He had me test the pump Using a 9 volt battery and both pumps worked. So he sent me a replacement controller. I swapped them out and I’m having the same issue. I can feel the pump vibrating in the monitoring mode, but when the controller swaps to water pumping mode nothing happens.

WvAquatics · Oct 25, 2020

Reefbreeders exo and I like it.

infinite0180 · Oct 25, 2020

Currently using avast with my apex and its nice. Having said that i decided to buy a spectrapure from off the forums here as an upgrade...

reefteaser · Oct 25, 2020

I’ve used the Tunze 3155 for a few years now on my 115 gal with no issues at all, except I have to keep an eye on the optical sensor. It’s in the same sump compartment that my 2 part gets dosed into, and occasional a film builds up. If I go too long without cleaning it doesn’t sense the water level. Otherwise, it’s been great, and the pump is as strong as new (so far).
I bought the aquahub float switch kit from BRS 2 years ago for my 30 gal. I use a pump I already had and it continues to work perfectly. You supply the pump of your choice. Older tech, but it uses a primary float and a secondary safety float switch, so very reliable as long as the switches are periodically cleaned.

Reef - Tripp · Oct 25, 2020

Float switch whith O/I apex and mini pump.

PatW · Oct 25, 2020

If you want an inexpensive option, you can go to auto top off.com. They sell a variety of systems and they work pretty well.

Sandbox · Mar 17, 2021

dwest said:
Spectrapure fan here

SpectraPure - Innovators in Water Technology

SpectraPure, Inc. is an Industry Standard in the Water Purification world. From Drinking Water to Aquarium Systems, you don't just want pure water, you want the PUREST Water! Get it with SpectraPure!

spectrapure.com

Hi, I’m looking into this system. Can you please tell me a little bit about it and how long you’ve had it? Thank you.

Not an IT guy · Mar 17, 2021

You can also go with jbj with a sicce pump. That’s what I have. Works fine.

dwest · Mar 17, 2021

Sandbox said:
Hi, I’m looking into this system. Can you please tell me a little bit about it and how long you’ve had it? Thank you.

I’ve been using the ATO for a couple years now. Prior to that, I used their liter meter III for 20 ish years as an ATO. The systems are similar but not exactly the same.

Spectrapure equipment reliability is extremely high. I use their pumps and liter meter III for ATO and AWC as well. Again, extremely reliable.

With the ATO, I like the fact that I can very slowly add water periodically all day long (a predetermined maximum for me). That plus the tube pressure switch provide a strong level of redundancy. The tube style pressure switch is the same types as the liter meter system which has not failed or needed cleaning for me in over 20 years.

Any specifics you want to know?

Polyp Punk · Mar 17, 2021

Saaqib_Ansari said:
Anyone recommend any good ATO systems that they’ve used?

just bought the ATK by apex looks like the best one out there plus when i finally add my controller down the line i can integrate it !!

Sandbox · Mar 18, 2021

dwest said:
I’ve been using the ATO for a couple years now. Prior to that, I used their liter meter III for 20 ish years as an ATO. The systems are similar but not exactly the same.

Spectrapure equipment reliability is extremely high. I use their pumps and liter meter III for ATO and AWC as well. Again, extremely reliable.

With the ATO, I like the fact that I can very slowly add water periodically all day long (a predetermined maximum for me). That plus the tube pressure switch provide a strong level of redundancy. The tube style pressure switch is the same types as the liter meter system which has not failed or needed cleaning for me in over 20 years.

Any specifics you want to know?

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it. Do you have it plugged into a controller?

dwest · Mar 18, 2021

Sandbox said:
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it. Do you have it plugged into a controller?

No. I like keeping some equipment (ATO, AWC, redundant return pump) outside of my Apex controller. The spectrapure systems so far are more reliable than my apex so adding them to the controller would actually reduce the reliability of the systems. I do, however, keep my alkalinity and calcium system (kalk and 2 part also via a liter meter 3 system) ”controlled” with my alkatronic.