Recommendations for Good ATO

[starreef05]

Hello all. I am looking for a good reliable ato system for my 180 gal tank. Please list and why you recommend a certain ato system.

 

[Highgrade]

Smart Autoaqua ATO... Because I have 8 of them and they never fail as long as you keep the sensor clean. Easy to set up and use.

 

[JBKReef]

Tunze Osmalator 3155 is usually the most suggested. I just purchased one for my second build. I used the ATK from Neptune for my first build however the mechanical float valve fails multiple times a week and has begun to get annoying.

 

[gcarroll]

Tunze Osmalator 3155 has been my go to for my tanks.

 

[Antics]

Cosigning 3155. Had the same one and pump running without issue for going on 5 years

 

[cracker]

The tunze 3155 is great. I have one on my 180 & it's works very well. They are a little pricey though. The little pump( only 20 bucks for replacement) pushes water over 6 ft up
I haven't used any of the other brands.

 

[lancesmith1]

Tunze... Just keep the controller somewhat ventilated. I had one that was in an way too enclosed cabinet crap out on me. But so did a GHL dosing pump. Lesson learned about getting at least some air into the cabinet.

 

[Jet915]

Tunze i think is the most popular by far, just make sure you let the sensor get some film growing on it, it attracts bubbles the first few days which makes the ATO top off when it shouldn't.

 

[Katieandjon]

Reefloat wins for me.

 

[hybridazn]

Tunze 3155. I've had the same one on my 180 going on 8 year now with no issues besides needing to replace a optical sensor 3 years ago.

 

[BoomCorals]

Don’t get the ATK unless you have an apex. As a stand-alone ATO it’s awful.

 

[Rich Klein]

Tunze Osmalator 3155 has been my go to for my tanks.

+1

 

[NoWaiAma]

Tunze 3155 all day erryday. I’ve heard some even prefer it to the ATK with the Neptune setup. But I have no experience with it

 

[mitch91175]

This question pops up frequently. Same answer. If you have the budget, hands down the Tunze 3155. It is the best ATO on the market (I've never used anything else so take that with a grain of salt ;)). Runs independent of everything else and has both optical and mechanical sensors. I run the optical sensor low and the mechanical sensor high (built-in redundancy and protection).

If you are even considering running your ATO through any controller you are asking for trouble at some point. To me an ATO is just one of those pieces of equipment that the only thing I even trust a controller to do is turn it on/off (even skeptical about that but those are the limits). I have never read anywhere online where anyone has had any issue with the Tunze 3155 sending all of their ATO container into their tank. The only issue with the Tunze 3155 is the pump. It isn't the best quality pump out there, but they can be purchased for $15. I have had to replace a few in my time, but more of an inconvenience that a deal breaker for sure.