Reliability of Optical ATO Sensor

[RaymondL]

I'm looking into getting a new ATO for my nano and I realize that Tunze has a nano version, which doesn't have an optical sensor, but instead uses a float. I'm wondering if that methodology is safer/more reliable and against failure over an optical sensor variety?

 

[exnisstech]

Some people don't like the float switches even though tunze uses (or used to) as the failsafe on their ato. I think part of it is because folks are drawn to the newer tech. I have both optical and float switch controlled ato units. To be honest they both work well but if I were forced to pick one it would be the float switch. The optical needs cleaned and can be affected by fuge lighting etc. But the float switch can get snails in it and can stick. My resolution to that was to wrap my float switch in a knee high stocking. Over 6 years running and never cleaned. I've only been running my tunze with optical sensor about a year but haven't had to clean it a lot. They no longer make the jbj units or I would have went that route again, they just work. This is the one that was never cleaned. I just broke down that tank.