Halo_003 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Looking to pick one up sometime in November or so. What's the best I could get? Considering: Tunze 3155 ATO Hydor Smart Level+(what pump?) AutoAqua Smart ATO Looking for absolute best reliability for $200 or less. Thanks. Link to comment
pippa Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I went with the Tunze 3155 and am super happy with it. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/347385-which-ato/ Link to comment
farkwar Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EVD944A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1409507409&sr=8-1 $64 and no shipping. Awesome ATO. Has low reservoir water alarm (if pump runs for more than 10 minutes). Has high water alarm Has wave proof hysteresis. You actually need a small slow pump, I have mine on an MJ400 and it needs a ball valve inline. I would like a small Sicce pump though. Now that I think about it, I could use a pump that fits through the throat of a 5 gallon drinking water jug. Any suggestions? Link to comment
metrokat Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EVD944A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1409507409&sr=8-1 $64 and no shipping. Awesome ATO. Has low reservoir water alarm (if pump runs for more than 10 minutes). Has high water alarm Has wave proof hysteresis. You actually need a small slow pump, I have mine on an MJ400 and it needs a ball valve inline. I would like a small Sicce pump though. Now that I think about it, I could use a pump that fits through the throat of a 5 gallon drinking water jug. Any suggestions? My Smart ATO has a DC refill pump that is uber small. and pumps water up, upto 78 inches. MJ400 was far too much water for my needs. I've also used a JBJ ATO with Toms without issue. The float switch in the tank is not my favorite thing though. The Smart ATO is much better. http://www.coralvue.com/smart-ato-dc-refill-pump Link to comment
Fnard Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I'd stay away from the smart ato. Ive had it for several months now and just not all that impressed. Has some good features, but man do they get annoying. Constantly having to unplug it to reset it. And water changes are not fun with it either. With that said, it does a good job maintaining the water level, but for the price tag I'd shop for something else. I've heard good things about the Hydor ATO. Wishing I had gone with that instead. Link to comment
metrokat Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I'd stay away from the smart ato. Ive had it for several months now and just not all that impressed. Has some good features, but man do they get annoying. Constantly having to unplug it to reset it. And water changes are not fun with it either. With that said, it does a good job maintaining the water level, but for the price tag I'd shop for something else. I've heard good things about the Hydor ATO. Wishing I had gone with that instead. I have it plugged into a strip with it's own on/off switch. So re-setting is easy. Link to comment
Fnard Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have it plugged into a strip with it's own on/off switch. So re-setting is easy. For the amount it is and how "advanced" it is, that type of setup shouldn't be needed. Not to mention when a water change is done, you need to make sure the water is below the level sight or it won't calibrate. Link to comment
metrokat Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 For the amount it is and how "advanced" it is, that type of setup shouldn't be needed. Not to mention when a water change is done, you need to make sure the water is below the level sight or it won't calibrate. Wait, say that again? Link to comment
Tamberav Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have been using the Tunze 3155 for 3 or 4??? years now and it still works like the day I bought it. Never had a problem. Make sure you have room for it though as the magnet is sort of large. Link to comment
Fnard Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Wait, say that again? Sorry, guess in my haste my explanation may not have been the best. Was just saying that at this price point, it shouldn't have to be hooked up to a powerstrip to reset. A button would've been nice. As far as the water change point, the unit obviously needs to off during wc, once turned back on the ato needs to recalibrate. If the water level is too high, it will not properly calibrate and need to be moved until it will. Link to comment
TeamIM24 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 We have the Tunze 3155 and love it. Link to comment
ghostgr Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Ill be going with the tunze 3152 due to my mounting it into chamber 3 of the biocube 29 and there not being enough room for the optical eye of the 3155. I like the the feature of if it runs for more than 3 minutes it shuts off. Link to comment
Dramad1 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 i like my auto aqua smart ato. i turn it off for water changes and have never had an issue with resetting or calibrating it even if the water level is above the water sensor. I've only had one issue since owning it and that was, it started to top off my tank and wouldn't turn off for like 30 sec. i reset it and haven't had the same or any issue since. i like it cause i don't have to mess with a float switch or any of that stuff plus it came with everything needed to set it up, no additional pump or tubing required. Link to comment
Lawnman Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Ill be going with the tunze 3152 due to my mounting it into chamber 3 of the biocube 29 and there not being enough room for the optical eye of the 3155. I like the the feature of if it runs for more than 3 minutes it shuts off.That is a nice safety but it's still junk. I came home to my pump running dry and that safety failed. I will never buy another ATO without a double switch. Also the optical eye is smaller than the float switch. Link to comment
ghostgr Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I was told that the optical eye needs more room than the area of my 3rd chamber. As far as the lazer reading levels and stuff. Link to comment
McCune Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I would suggest the elos Ato. It's great two yrs and counting right now, not moving parts to fail. Link to comment
drfu Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I have it plugged into a strip with it's own on/off switch. So re-setting is easy. I like that powerbar with the switches, where did you buy it? Or what brand is it & i can google it, thx? Link to comment
zooman72 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I like that powerbar with the switches, where did you buy it? Or what brand is it & i can google it, thx? Try Rosewill power bar at Amazon.com - I use them on all of my tanks and also my water mixing station, and they are very convenient (better than the DJ power units that are commonly used as they are smaller). There are also some that are "more heavily built" as well... Link to comment
zr2driver Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I couldn't be happier with the Smart ATO. Best $$$ I spend on my reef. Link to comment
Jackstone Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 I was about to pull the trigger on the Tunze 3155 ATO (I like the backup float switch redundancy) but a few people were mentioning getting a controller for a little more and build my own ATO. I understand I'd need to get some other things beside the controller to get a fully functional ATO. I do like the idea of getting a controller for setting up feed mode and remote monitoring anyway. They do seem like a money pit though, especially the add-on modules (but that's this hobby anyway). So here are the options I'm considering: JBJ ATO + Aqua Lifter: $90 (no backup switch, too risky imo) Tunze 3155 ATO: $200 Apex Jr + JBJ ATO + Aqua Lifter: $330 (ATO plugged into timed outlet for fail safe) Apex Jr + PM1 Module + Breakout box + Float Switches + Aqua lifter: $400 (ouch) Any suggestions? Link to comment
ManGups Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 If you want a full control with remote monitoring plus dosing etc - better go full out ... Link to comment
Nickbruh510 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Smart ato plug and play out of box!! Amazing never fail Smart ato also has a empty reservoir alarm if longer than 30 seconds:) Link to comment
Halo_003 Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 When you guys mention Smart ATO are you referring to the Hydor Smart ATO or the AutoAqua Smart ATO? Thus far I like the Tunze 3155 Or the AutoAqua Smart ATO the best. I do plan to get an Apex eventually but I want a seperate ATO for redundancy. I love that the Tunze has the backup switch and includes a good pump. Link to comment
drfu Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I have it plugged into a strip with it's own on/off switch. So re-setting is easy. Got 4 of these strips from an on line dealer up here so thanks again, helped me clean up all of my power cords as well Link to comment
drfu Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Now back to ATO's, i have a Tunze Nano Osmolator, didnt work worth a #%$& on my Innovative Marine Nuvo 8, the float switch would get stuck all of the time. I moved it to my new Micro 30 and have not had an issue in almost a month. My thinking is either when i took it apart and re-assembled it i must have adjusted the sensor enough so it would not catch on the plastic housing or it just didn't like my crowded back chamber in my Nuvo 8. So my question is this: Smallest sensor on a ATO? Affordable like the Tunze Comes complete with pump that has at least 3' of head My thinking so far is try another Tunze, little scared after my first one? Try the JBJ & buy what pump? Try the Hydor & buy a cheap pump? Recommendations?thoughts? Link to comment
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