Help me buy an ATO

Flightpipe · 02/05/2009, 06:47 PM

I am getting no love from the search function tonight, I have my sump up and running and my last project is to set up my ATO system however I do not know which one to get. The only thing I am pretty clear on is I do not want a gravity system. I have seem some for $30 all the way to $100+. My system is 75g dt and 20g sump tops maybe 1 gallon a day.

Any experiences would be appreciated.

Tswifty · 02/05/2009, 06:58 PM

Tunze Osmolator

I personally use a Top Dose system which uses 2 float switches, and also has a pump time control as well. I don't have the link for the site, but I know there is one somewhere.

Johnny C · 02/05/2009, 07:02 PM

Tsunami ATO for the win!

abulgin · 02/05/2009, 07:35 PM

I use 2 Tunze Osmolators. Yes, they are expensive, but they are awesome. I have one for 2 years and it's workded flawlessly.

46FiatYamaha · 02/06/2009, 04:28 AM

I've been using the JBJ ATO with an aqualifter pump and have had no troubles with it, quite satisfied and a little cheaper too

Michael · 02/06/2009, 04:31 AM

i totally agree with the above comments, i own a tunze osmolator and its fantastic, id recommend one for you

Michael · 02/06/2009, 04:42 AM

heres a few pics of my system, its basic but works well

first pic is the pump in a salt bucket filled with pure-ro-di

second pic is of the sealed 2nd resevoir which is filled with ro-di but the ro-di water is saturated in kalk, the reason for the 2nd resevoir is tunze recommend not allowing calcium near the pump to maintain the 2 year warrenty

third picture is the actual controller

4th picture is of the resevoir and position of the controller, just to let you know how easily it can be put together

looks a little messy, but im looking to cover it in, somehow,lol

JoeMomma · 02/06/2009, 08:16 AM

I use the system from autotopoff.com. I haven't had any problems for over a year now but I probably would have if I didn't buy the model with 2 float switches.

It was pretty cheap too.

NCMBM · 02/06/2009, 08:43 AM

I just finished install of a JBJ ATO. I have my top off water in the stand on roller slides for easy refill. I initially was thinking gravity feed because of the room a pump would take up in the holding tank(I had a mag3 available). In searching for a float valve that would work for gravity I saw a system from Coralife, I think, that had a tiny pump. My thoughts were how to get that pump. Found it at Lowes for 17.99. It pumps 60gpd and is adjustable, has bottom pick up. It was cheaper than the aqualifter and more efficient IMO. I am very pleased so far. The JBJ system has 2 float valves that can be used in several ways. I have one in the sump and the other in the holding tank. It fills when needed and protects the fill pump by monitoring the holding tank level. The whole deal is less than just 1 dosing pump, $75 or so complete.

Brandon M · 02/06/2009, 03:34 PM

Another vote for JBJ, I love mine. Very easy to setup.

02/05/2009, 06:47 PM	#1
Flightpipe Sea Turtles Love Me...... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL. Posts: 745	Help me buy an ATO I am getting no love from the search function tonight, I have my sump up and running and my last project is to set up my ATO system however I do not know which one to get. The only thing I am pretty clear on is I do not want a gravity system. I have seem some for $30 all the way to $100+. My system is 75g dt and 20g sump tops maybe 1 gallon a day. Any experiences would be appreciated. __________________ "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." Current Tank Info: 29 BC Reef

02/05/2009, 06:58 PM	#2
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Tunze Osmolator I personally use a Top Dose system which uses 2 float switches, and also has a pump time control as well. I don't have the link for the site, but I know there is one somewhere. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

02/05/2009, 07:02 PM	#3
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	Tsunami ATO for the win! __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

02/06/2009, 04:31 AM	#6
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i totally agree with the above comments, i own a tunze osmolator and its fantastic, id recommend one for you __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/06/2009, 04:42 AM	#7
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	heres a few pics of my system, its basic but works well first pic is the pump in a salt bucket filled with pure-ro-di second pic is of the sealed 2nd resevoir which is filled with ro-di but the ro-di water is saturated in kalk, the reason for the 2nd resevoir is tunze recommend not allowing calcium near the pump to maintain the 2 year warrenty third picture is the actual controller 4th picture is of the resevoir and position of the controller, just to let you know how easily it can be put together looks a little messy, but im looking to cover it in, somehow,lol __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/05/2009, 07:35 PM	#4
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	I use 2 Tunze Osmolators. Yes, they are expensive, but they are awesome. I have one for 2 years and it's workded flawlessly.

02/06/2009, 04:28 AM	#5
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	I've been using the JBJ ATO with an aqualifter pump and have had no troubles with it, quite satisfied and a little cheaper too

02/06/2009, 08:16 AM	#8
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	I use the system from autotopoff.com. I haven't had any problems for over a year now but I probably would have if I didn't buy the model with 2 float switches. It was pretty cheap too.

02/06/2009, 08:43 AM	#9
NCMBM Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alamance County, NC Posts: 47	I just finished install of a JBJ ATO. I have my top off water in the stand on roller slides for easy refill. I initially was thinking gravity feed because of the room a pump would take up in the holding tank(I had a mag3 available). In searching for a float valve that would work for gravity I saw a system from Coralife, I think, that had a tiny pump. My thoughts were how to get that pump. Found it at Lowes for 17.99. It pumps 60gpd and is adjustable, has bottom pick up. It was cheaper than the aqualifter and more efficient IMO. I am very pleased so far. The JBJ system has 2 float valves that can be used in several ways. I have one in the sump and the other in the holding tank. It fills when needed and protects the fill pump by monitoring the holding tank level. The whole deal is less than just 1 dosing pump, $75 or so complete.

02/06/2009, 03:34 PM	#10
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	Another vote for JBJ, I love mine. Very easy to setup. __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR