What is Best ATO out there????

Nwest · 04/30/2012, 02:23 PM

I am in the market for one and just cant decide which one to pull the trigger on. I do have a apex so I can go the route of breakout box and make one my self. But if I can get an all in one unit might want to do that... Just if everyone wants to chime in on their thoughts.

parrthed · 04/30/2012, 02:30 PM

I have the Apex as well and decided to just go that route with my new build. I also have the Tunze Osmolator on my other reef. I am happy with the Apex ATO but the Osmolator is a top notch stand alone unit. I have also used reef fanatic and JBJ ATOs as well and never had any major issues. I jyst like everything being centrally controlled.

fastrd400 · 04/30/2012, 02:46 PM

I have an Apex, also with the Tunze. The very best ATO out there in my opinion. I also have the JBJ on my frag system in the garage.

locofish · 04/30/2012, 03:19 PM

I was facing the same decision a couple of weeks ago and went the Apex route, bought the breakout box and a couple of float switches. No regrets so far and saved a couple of bucks.

James77 · 04/30/2012, 03:46 PM

I use double float valves from autotopoff, never a single problem in over 3 years. I rarely even touch them, just for a once a year or occasional cleaning. The Tunze is good, but more limited with pump head. I use a LM3 remote pump to push water f Rom the basement.

aleonn · 04/30/2012, 04:14 PM

+1 for the double float valves from autotopoff.com. I have mine connected to my Apex. If I didn't have an Apex, I'd get the Tunze Osmolator.

scrapz · 04/30/2012, 06:44 PM

Tunze Osmolator hands down. Picked up a 2 year old unit with a noisy pump in a tank I broke down for a friend. Still working 2 years later with that same noisy pump...

Bought a brand new jbj, broke in 3 months..

MattG · 04/30/2012, 06:46 PM

I like the tunze osmolator also

rc407092 · 04/30/2012, 07:37 PM

I'm running the Avast Marine ATO and it has been absolutely flawless. It has a nice simple design and isn't obtrusive inside my display tank. I couldn't recommend it enough.

vbsaltydog · 04/30/2012, 07:47 PM

I too, have an Apex/breakout box/float switch/aqua lifter and while it does work, I have had the float switch stick a few times. I have the Apex set for redundancy so it is not allowed to run the ATO pump for more than x seconds at a time and this is OK for RO/DI top off but if you are topping off with limewater, I would highly recommend the Tunze Osmolator for reliability so you dont overdose limewater if a float switch fails.

ScottRT · 04/30/2012, 08:13 PM

This is coming from an ATO owner (which I like a lot), but Tunze Osmolator definitely has the advantage here.

stickyhops · 05/01/2012, 04:20 AM

+1 on Tunze.

04/30/2012, 02:23 PM	#1
Nwest Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palm Harbor Posts: 2,596	What is Best ATO out there???? I am in the market for one and just cant decide which one to pull the trigger on. I do have a apex so I can go the route of breakout box and make one my self. But if I can get an all in one unit might want to do that... Just if everyone wants to chime in on their thoughts. __________________ 25 Gallon Cube Build Coming Soon!!

04/30/2012, 03:46 PM	#5
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	I use double float valves from autotopoff, never a single problem in over 3 years. I rarely even touch them, just for a once a year or occasional cleaning. The Tunze is good, but more limited with pump head. I use a LM3 remote pump to push water f Rom the basement. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

04/30/2012, 06:46 PM	#8
MattG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 3,216	I like the tunze osmolator also __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 215 mixed reef

04/30/2012, 02:30 PM	#2
parrthed Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 435	I have the Apex as well and decided to just go that route with my new build. I also have the Tunze Osmolator on my other reef. I am happy with the Apex ATO but the Osmolator is a top notch stand alone unit. I have also used reef fanatic and JBJ ATOs as well and never had any major issues. I jyst like everything being centrally controlled.

04/30/2012, 02:46 PM	#3
fastrd400 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 1,898	I have an Apex, also with the Tunze. The very best ATO out there in my opinion. I also have the JBJ on my frag system in the garage.

04/30/2012, 03:19 PM	#4
locofish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 61	I was facing the same decision a couple of weeks ago and went the Apex route, bought the breakout box and a couple of float switches. No regrets so far and saved a couple of bucks.

04/30/2012, 04:14 PM	#6
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	+1 for the double float valves from autotopoff.com. I have mine connected to my Apex. If I didn't have an Apex, I'd get the Tunze Osmolator.

04/30/2012, 06:44 PM	#7
scrapz Saturation+100 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,555	Tunze Osmolator hands down. Picked up a 2 year old unit with a noisy pump in a tank I broke down for a friend. Still working 2 years later with that same noisy pump... Bought a brand new jbj, broke in 3 months..

04/30/2012, 07:37 PM	#9
rc407092 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 59	I'm running the Avast Marine ATO and it has been absolutely flawless. It has a nice simple design and isn't obtrusive inside my display tank. I couldn't recommend it enough.

04/30/2012, 07:47 PM	#10
vbsaltydog Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Beach, FL. Posts: 603	I too, have an Apex/breakout box/float switch/aqua lifter and while it does work, I have had the float switch stick a few times. I have the Apex set for redundancy so it is not allowed to run the ATO pump for more than x seconds at a time and this is OK for RO/DI top off but if you are topping off with limewater, I would highly recommend the Tunze Osmolator for reliability so you dont overdose limewater if a float switch fails.

04/30/2012, 08:13 PM	#11
ScottRT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 55	This is coming from an ATO owner (which I like a lot), but Tunze Osmolator definitely has the advantage here.

05/01/2012, 04:20 AM	#12
stickyhops Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sandusky, Ohio Posts: 47	+1 on Tunze.