Explain ATO's to me guys...

joem1cha3l · 04/23/2009, 05:56 PM

How do they work? How hard are they to set up/maintain? Im leaving on vacation 10 days so this is what id like to look into , and it just gives me an excuse to buy one anyway

haha

mutateddogbone · 04/23/2009, 07:26 PM

have 2 float switches set up. one for maintaining the level in your sump, the other as a backup if the first one fails. have the second one slighting higher than the first. they are very easy to setup and are generally very reliable. it took me about ~1hr to wire and place in my sump and run the line from my ATO reservoir.

autotopoff.com has some that are premade kits, but you can make them cheaper by ordering the float switches and DIY the rest of the project.

walkthedog · 04/23/2009, 07:28 PM

Most work by the use of float sensors. When the water in the sump gets too low it trips the float switch ...... This in turn; turns power on to a pump that pumps water into sump until float sensor is turned off. You can use 2 float switchs for added safety.Well read this and then ask what you don't understand. Some like tunze uses a different sensor other than float switch but most are set up the way it is described here

http://www.reeffanatic.com/products/...ol/ct_rflc.pdf

P.S. I wouldn't set up ATO the day before you leave. Test it a few days to make sure everything is working properly or you could come home to a mess.

sharky's machin · 04/23/2009, 08:04 PM

Is the Tunze really worth the price difference? $200 vs $50 for autotopoff dot com?

I guess it would only take one failure to make the difference when it ruined my floors.

Reefer2727 · 04/23/2009, 08:06 PM

What is needed to set up an ATO with a reservoir in the basement?

drummereef · 04/23/2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sharky's machin
Is the Tunze really worth the price difference? $200 vs $50 for autotopoff dot com?

I guess it would only take one failure to make the difference when it ruined my floors.

Yes, but that being said I run an autotopoff.com float switch. If properly maintained it should last a while. I've had mine for over two years. Any ATO can fail. The Tunze uses an optical sensor vs a mechanical float switch which makes it a bit more fail safe.

imcosmokramer · 04/23/2009, 10:34 PM

I have 2 switches from autotopoff.com and a tunze osmolator. I've never had a problem with either. I use maxijets with my ato.com. The ozmolation requires you to get the air out of the pump if it ever starts running dry. The Tunze will shut the pump off if you run out of water in the reservoir. They have both worked well.

PRDubois · 04/23/2009, 10:35 PM

Use two switches to prevent a flood

fishkeeper2009 · 04/23/2009, 11:35 PM

I have used a cheap plastic float switch for years, easiest thing in the world, never failed me and costs like $15.

der_wille_zur_macht · 04/24/2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by imcosmokramer
The Tunze will shut the pump off if you run out of water in the reservoir.

FWIW, a DIY switch-activated topoff can be made to do this too without much trouble at all.

Quote:

Any ATO can fail.

Most important thing in this thread. So, no matter what route you do, plan for failure. Even if it never happens, you'll be glad you did.

IMHO when comparing the Tunze product to an autotopoff.com or DIY switch-driven topoff, it really boils down to this: If you buy the Tunze, you're getting a ready-to-go package. It'll work, and it'll be reliable. But, that's the extent of what you're getting - what comes out of the box.

Meanwhile, if you DIY or use autotopoff.com, you're assuming a bit more personal responsibility, but you're also getting a TON more flexibility. Want switches in your reservoir to switch the unit on or off as it drains or refills? No problem. Want three float switches in your sump, for extra extra extra redundancy? No problem. Want to hide your switches in a custom tower to eliminate accidental tripping because you have a wavemaker? No problem. Want to control a solenoid valve on your RO/DI valve, in addition to a pump pushing RO/DI water through a kalk reactor? No problem. Get the point yet?

And, IMHO, the "safety" of the Tunze unit being ready to go is a moot point - if a hobbyist undertakes a DIY project (like building an autotopoff) beyond their skill, you shouldn't blame the validity of DIY'ing autotopoffs, you should blame the hobbyist.

04/23/2009, 05:56 PM	#1
joem1cha3l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,158	Explain ATO's to me guys... How do they work? How hard are they to set up/maintain? Im leaving on vacation 10 days so this is what id like to look into , and it just gives me an excuse to buy one anyway haha __________________ IM10G Nano - MP10, AI Nano, RKL

04/23/2009, 07:26 PM	#2
mutateddogbone Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 1,016	have 2 float switches set up. one for maintaining the level in your sump, the other as a backup if the first one fails. have the second one slighting higher than the first. they are very easy to setup and are generally very reliable. it took me about ~1hr to wire and place in my sump and run the line from my ATO reservoir. autotopoff.com has some that are premade kits, but you can make them cheaper by ordering the float switches and DIY the rest of the project. __________________ 2013 Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society - President An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure Current Tank Info: 75g braceless SPS dominated w/ 50g Frag Tank

04/23/2009, 08:04 PM	#4
sharky's machin Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 585	Tunze Is the Tunze really worth the price difference? $200 vs $50 for autotopoff dot com? I guess it would only take one failure to make the difference when it ruined my floors. __________________ 50 gallon cube 24X24X20 Reefkeeper Lite; LED Radion G2; Vortech MP 10 CAD Lights skimmer; Media Reactor Mixed reef- LPS, Zoas, SPS Current Tank Info: 50 gallon CAD Lights mixed reef

04/23/2009, 10:34 PM	#7
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	I have 2 switches from autotopoff.com and a tunze osmolator. I've never had a problem with either. I use maxijets with my ato.com. The ozmolation requires you to get the air out of the pump if it ever starts running dry. The Tunze will shut the pump off if you run out of water in the reservoir. They have both worked well. __________________ You can agree with me, or you can be wrong. You pick.

04/23/2009, 10:35 PM	#8
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Use two switches to prevent a flood __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/23/2009, 07:28 PM	#3
walkthedog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 370	Most work by the use of float sensors. When the water in the sump gets too low it trips the float switch ...... This in turn; turns power on to a pump that pumps water into sump until float sensor is turned off. You can use 2 float switchs for added safety.Well read this and then ask what you don't understand. Some like tunze uses a different sensor other than float switch but most are set up the way it is described here http://www.reeffanatic.com/products/...ol/ct_rflc.pdf P.S. I wouldn't set up ATO the day before you leave. Test it a few days to make sure everything is working properly or you could come home to a mess.

04/23/2009, 08:06 PM	#5
Reefer2727 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 995	What is needed to set up an ATO with a reservoir in the basement?

04/23/2009, 11:35 PM	#9
fishkeeper2009 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plano TX Posts: 38	I have used a cheap plastic float switch for years, easiest thing in the world, never failed me and costs like $15.