Which ATO to get?

[BloopFish]

Was deciding between the XP Aqua Duetto and the Hydor Smart Level Controller, mostly because the XP Aqua Duetto is on sale. Any opinions?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I've used the Hydro for four years. I like the fact that it doesn't have any moving parts that can seize up. I'm not familiar with the other brand.

One thing about the Hydor is that the low/normal/high setpoints are fixed so you can't adjust topoff volume (which is important if you're adding calcium hydroxide to ATO water).

 

[BloopFish]

So if I want to use my top off for the purpose of also dosing calcium, I should probably find another type? Or could I just simply adjust the concentration of the top off solution?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

So if I want to use my top off for the purpose of also dosing calcium, I should probably find another type? Or could I just simply adjust the concentration of the top off solution?

Yes, you could do either. The second option only works if you can keep your calcium solution concentration fairly constant, however.

 

[jda]

You want to dose calcium and carbonate (and magnesium if you need to) outside of your top off. It is better this way.

For me, Tunze Osmolator is the best unit on the market. Most reliable and probably the most used... you see some pump failures out there because they are so widely used, but the pump is like $25.