Startup company, off-brand ATO?

[Swingline77]

What do you think of this? It's half the cost of the JBJ. The only thing that concerns me regarding any electronics is fire hazard. All ATOs can get stuck in the "on" position, and I'm taking precautions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AutoTopoff...572753?hash=item2864f69251:g:UOwAAOSwmLlYB52i

 

[jdpeters]

What do you think of this? It's half the cost of the JBJ. The only thing that concerns me regarding any electronics is fire hazard. All ATOs can get stuck in the "on" position, and I'm taking precautions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AutoTopoff...572753?hash=item2864f69251:g:UOwAAOSwmLlYB52i

Reed breeders has a complete system for 45. Logan from reef breeders is top notch. I'm about to buy it and give it a shot

 

[mckinney0171]

one of the most important pieces of equipment you will buy for a reef tank is the ATO. I would not skimp and buy a cheap product. Get something that has a rock solid reputation like a Tunze.

 

[jdpeters]

one of the most important pieces of equipment you will buy for a reef tank is the ATO. I would not skimp and buy a cheap product. Get something that has a rock solid reputation like a Tunze.

I agree with that yet reef breeders has a great reputation and they fix or replace everything in house.

 

[TheHarold]

That is AWFUL.

Anything that blocks that single switch will floor your entire ATO reservoir into the tank.
Zero logic/time based or redundant switch cutoff.

Not worth saving $20. I wouldn't use that for free.

 

[Swingline77]

That is AWFUL.

Anything that blocks that single switch will floor your entire ATO reservoir into the tank.
Zero logic/time based or redundant switch cutoff.

Not worth saving $20. I wouldn't use that for free.

Good to know. I'll check out reef breeders.

 

[Swingline77]

Reed breeders has a complete system for 45. Logan from reef breeders is top notch. I'm about to buy it and give it a shot

The $45 system has the same flaw: just one float switch. The other one that they offer is out of stock. I'll probably stick with JBJ or Tunze. Thanks for the help!

 

[squampton]

I don't think they are a start up, appears to be the company below, and there are threads dating back more then a decade on various forums including this forum where people are using them, can't imagine they are all that bad.

I use a Tunze nano on my tank, and its not like it has multiple failsafe built it, 1 float switch still and not sure it was worth spending the $130 CAD on.

http://autotopoff.com/Standard/index.html

 

[KStatefan]

They have been around for 10+ years.

That is a basic system and they also have one with dual switches.

 

[tvu]

JBJ has a safety mechanism as well and will error out if it’s been on too long.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Ive used the jbj for about 2 years and have never had a problem. It's a good product for a good price

 

[tvu]

I’ve used jbj over past 20 yrs. after a few yrs the float switch will need to be replaced but that’s cheap and simple off amazon.

I do however like the smart ato micro which i have on my newer tank that uses optical sensor.

 

[Swingline77]

I stand corrected. I see that they do have several doubles.

 

[tiggs]

As others have said, ATO is one piece of equipment I wouldn't skimp on. The big issue with this is that it doesn't have any type of shield around the float, so it could get stuck very easily. The dual sensor ATOs (float and optical) are the best type, but even other single sensor ATOs typically have a protective guard around the float and a failsafe that'll automatically turn it off after running for X minutes continuously. Personally, I wouldn't risk it with this one, because a single failure will likely wipe out your tank and possibly ruin your floor.

 

[Swingline77]

As others have said, ATO is one piece of equipment I wouldn't skimp on. The big issue with this is that it doesn't have any type of shield around the float, so it could get stuck very easily. The dual sensor ATOs (float and optical) are the best type, but even other single sensor ATOs typically have a protective guard around the float and a failsafe that'll automatically turn it off after running for X minutes continuously. Personally, I wouldn't risk it with this one, because a single failure will likely wipe out your tank and possibly ruin your floor.

What about the shielded ones here?

http://autotopoff.com/Standard/index.html