Weekly Contest ATO

[bambo]

Good day everyone. So with the contest this week having a chance to win an Auto top off i figured why not discuss them. I just set up a 100 Gallon tank and my evaporation is about 1/2 gallon a day. i need an ATO. what are the best brands out there? Best bang for your buck?

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

You will pretty much unanimously hear that the Tunze osmolator is the gold standard. I have had my last generation model for many years, and it is simply excellent.

For a budget option, I like the IceCap ATO. I have one of these on my office tank and it works but I do find I need to clean the sensor at least every other month while on my osmolator I only clean it twice a year if I remember. for less than $100 I think it is a great deal.

 

[bambo]

You will pretty much unanimously hear that the Tunze osmolator is the gold standard. I have had my last generation model for many years, and it is simply excellent.

For a budget option, I like the IceCap ATO. I have one of these on my office tank and it works but I do find I need to clean the sensor at least every other month while on my osmolator I only clean it twice a year if I remember. for less than $100 I think it is a great deal.

Yes ive seen the osmolator 3 and the 3 nano. but i guess the nano is only rated for 66 gallons. not sure why

 

[Troylee]

Jbj auto top offs were the best in my opinion but they’re discontinued . I have went through a bunch the last 3 years and currently run a tunze but I have nothing but problems with the sensors and have to clean it every few days in a vinegar bath! So there’s that lol! I just like the old school floats with a Saftey float these optical eyes suck! lol

 

[bambo]

Jbj auto top offs were the best in my opinion but they’re discontinued . I have went through a bunch the last 3 years and currently run a tunze but I have nothing but problems with the sensors and have to clean it every few days in a vinegar bath! So there’s that lol! I just like the old school floats with a Saftey float these optical eyes suck! lol

That doesn’t sound to good

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've been using a Kamoer ATO for the past 3 years, I'm happy with it, in fact just ordered another for another tank.

 

[exnisstech]

Jbj auto top offs were the best in my opinion but they’re discontinued . I have went through a bunch the last 3 years and currently run a tunze but I have nothing but problems with the sensors and have to clean it every few days in a vinegar bath! So there’s that lol! I just like the old school floats with a Saftey float these optical eyes suck! lol

I'll second the JBJ with float switches. I wrapped this one in a knee high stocking and it sat in this sump for 6 years without being cleaned. Try that with an optical sensor.

Same float switch in a different tank inside a new clean stocking .

 

[dangles]

I started out with the Neptune ATO (with PMUP), but after a handful of failures I switched to a gravity fed setup with a float valve, running from my RODI water storage bin. SO much simpler, more reliable, and hassle free *AS LONG AS* you keep the float valve clean and inspect it REGULARLY.

 

[C_AWOL]

While not really a stand alone unit, my hydros controller + ato kit (original sensor not triple) has been bullet proof for about 4 years now. Easily my favorite among all options I use.

Just set the minimum + max run time and if it ever exceeds that then the pump stops. Extra benefit is alerts if theres an issue (both phone + at the controller if set) and you can do other things with it beyond just being an ato.

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

Yes ive seen the osmolator 3 and the 3 nano. but i guess the nano is only rated for 66 gallons. not sure why

The nano has a timer function that shuts down the unit if it runs for over 2 minutes. This is to protect against an overflow. On a large tank the pump may need to run more than 2 minutes at a time to make up for evaporation so the Nano will not work on large systems it just keeps shutting itself off.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

I have the tune Nano and my old one gave up the ghost so I got a new one, the weird things with theses ATO you?I need to season them, either they work for you or they simply over flow your tank time and time again, right now my is pulled, I put mine on a 12" cube tank outside, setup a over flow system in fresh water, works perfectly, my tank, it overflows. It seems the magnet might be too big or something, who knows.

 

[bambo]

The nano has a timer function that shuts down the unit if it runs for over 2 minutes. This is to protect against an overflow. On a large tank the pump may need to run more than 2 minutes at a time to make up for evaporation so the Nano will not work on large systems it just keeps shutting itself off.

I see. Thanks for the info. How much do they pump in 2 minutes? Less then a gallon?