JBJ Auto Top-Off

EllieSuz · 12/22/2009, 08:58 AM

I found a JBJ Auto Top-Off for $88.00 online. That looks like a really good price, but does it work? Who is using one and how did you set it up? I have room in my stand for a 5 gallon bucket and lid. Will that suffice? Do you have to buy a pump too and if so, what pump would you recommend? Thanks everybody.

Jeff · 12/22/2009, 09:00 AM

You can order one right from JBJ for $72.99 -> http://www.jbjnanocubes.com/contents...4_jbj-ato.html
I think that they are the best and have had one on every one of my tanks since they started making them. You do need a pump and I use a Maxijet in my top-off containers.

stanlalee · 12/22/2009, 09:38 AM

they've always worked great for me. from people who complain they usually report after a year or so their's just stopped working but worked fine up to that point. I have never had one more than a year but I mine have never failed on me so far (one I sold working and one I currently use).

If it ever fails though I'll be going with the tunze. Its twice the price but it doesn't use float sensors which are bound to fail or get stuck sooner or later.

tkeracer619 · 12/22/2009, 10:54 AM

www.autotopoff.com

option #3 (dual in sump float switch) $50

As reliable as anything you can buy.

Indymann99 · 12/22/2009, 12:54 PM

JBJ working great for me

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...mp12132009.jpg

Float sensor in return section

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../PumpONOFF.jpg

ATO reservoir with ATO pump... some really small pump ($15)..

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...99/SumpATO.jpg

EllieSuz · 12/22/2009, 03:07 PM

Indyman99, your photos were a huge help. Thank you so much. One question; My sump has a "lip" around the top about an inch wide. Will I be able to modify the bracket for the top off to fit?

Peter Eichler · 12/22/2009, 03:11 PM

I had two fail within six months, the third one has been going strong for almost a couple years. If it fails I will not be buying another one with all the failures I've heard of in addition to the ones I experienced.

notclear · 12/22/2009, 03:42 PM

Or get one from nanotuners at $69.95. I bought one from them about 2 years ago and is still working great! I have been cleaning the float switches every week.

http://www.nanotuners.com/advanced_s...11&search.y=10

Indymann99 · 12/22/2009, 04:13 PM

My sump is acrylic and also has a lip. The bracket is designed to fit with or without a lip.

zsqure · 12/22/2009, 05:21 PM

The JBJ unit works just fine. Many reefers have them, I use a float valve attached to my r/o unit and have been using it for 3 years without any trouble.

EllieSuz · 12/25/2009, 07:08 AM

Thank you all for the great responses. One more question; what size pump should I put in the reservoir? I'm going to use a 5 gallon bucket inside the stand so there won't be any head loss to speak of.

rostato · 12/25/2009, 07:33 AM

Don't buy one. Almost every single time I go on vacation it decides it doesnt want to work, and I almost burn up a return pump. They have their moments where they work great, and then all of the sudden they don't work.

Keith P · 12/25/2009, 08:48 AM

My JBJ ATO has been working fine for the last 3 years. My top-off pumps seem to fail on me

mfinn · 12/25/2009, 09:15 AM

I've been using one for 4 years now and haven't seen a problem.
I use a maxi-jet 1200, but my top-off is 10' from the sump.
For something close, a maxi-jet 400 should work.

pimpman75 · 12/25/2009, 10:20 AM

Im looking to buy one. too

endojoew · 01/03/2010, 02:13 AM

I want to use one for my 24G nanotank. Can someone show a good way to plumb from a maxi 1200 to the tank. Mine is on the swirl stand.

12/22/2009, 08:58 AM	#1
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	JBJ Auto Top-Off I found a JBJ Auto Top-Off for $88.00 online. That looks like a really good price, but does it work? Who is using one and how did you set it up? I have room in my stand for a 5 gallon bucket and lid. Will that suffice? Do you have to buy a pump too and if so, what pump would you recommend? Thanks everybody.

12/22/2009, 09:00 AM	#2
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	You can order one right from JBJ for $72.99 -> http://www.jbjnanocubes.com/contents...4_jbj-ato.html I think that they are the best and have had one on every one of my tanks since they started making them. You do need a pump and I use a Maxijet in my top-off containers. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

12/22/2009, 10:54 AM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	www.autotopoff.com option #3 (dual in sump float switch) $50 As reliable as anything you can buy. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/22/2009, 12:54 PM	#5
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	JBJ working great for me http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...mp12132009.jpg Float sensor in return section http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../PumpONOFF.jpg ATO reservoir with ATO pump... some really small pump ($15).. http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...99/SumpATO.jpg __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

12/22/2009, 04:13 PM	#9
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	My sump is acrylic and also has a lip. The bracket is designed to fit with or without a lip. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

12/22/2009, 09:38 AM	#3
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	they've always worked great for me. from people who complain they usually report after a year or so their's just stopped working but worked fine up to that point. I have never had one more than a year but I mine have never failed on me so far (one I sold working and one I currently use). If it ever fails though I'll be going with the tunze. Its twice the price but it doesn't use float sensors which are bound to fail or get stuck sooner or later.

12/22/2009, 03:07 PM	#6
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Indyman99, your photos were a huge help. Thank you so much. One question; My sump has a "lip" around the top about an inch wide. Will I be able to modify the bracket for the top off to fit?

12/22/2009, 03:11 PM	#7
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I had two fail within six months, the third one has been going strong for almost a couple years. If it fails I will not be buying another one with all the failures I've heard of in addition to the ones I experienced.

12/22/2009, 03:42 PM	#8
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 519	Or get one from nanotuners at $69.95. I bought one from them about 2 years ago and is still working great! I have been cleaning the float switches every week. http://www.nanotuners.com/advanced_s...11&search.y=10

12/22/2009, 05:21 PM	#10
zsqure Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 195	The JBJ unit works just fine. Many reefers have them, I use a float valve attached to my r/o unit and have been using it for 3 years without any trouble.

12/25/2009, 07:08 AM	#11
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Thank you all for the great responses. One more question; what size pump should I put in the reservoir? I'm going to use a 5 gallon bucket inside the stand so there won't be any head loss to speak of.

12/25/2009, 07:33 AM	#12
rostato Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 1,161	Don't buy one. Almost every single time I go on vacation it decides it doesnt want to work, and I almost burn up a return pump. They have their moments where they work great, and then all of the sudden they don't work.

12/25/2009, 08:48 AM	#13
Keith P Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 101	My JBJ ATO has been working fine for the last 3 years. My top-off pumps seem to fail on me

12/25/2009, 09:15 AM	#14
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I've been using one for 4 years now and haven't seen a problem. I use a maxi-jet 1200, but my top-off is 10' from the sump. For something close, a maxi-jet 400 should work.

12/25/2009, 10:20 AM	#15
pimpman75 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL Posts: 52	Im looking to buy one. too __________________ THE REEF CHEIF.. Current Tank Info: 120 perfecto REEF TANK

01/03/2010, 02:13 AM	#16
endojoew Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wildwood, MO Posts: 85	I want to use one for my 24G nanotank. Can someone show a good way to plumb from a maxi 1200 to the tank. Mine is on the swirl stand. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: 150 G