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bevo5

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Hey everyone - I'm doing some research on ATO's and thought I would get y'alls opinion.

 

I only have a small biocube 29 now, but I'm frequently out of town and figured this might be a relatively inexpensive addition.

 

Basically, I just set up the sensor and connect it to a bucket of my freshwater and it will pump in when needed right? Easy as that? Is there a preferred brand you guys use?

 

In the old days we would use float valves, but it seems to be all electronic sensors now?

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That's pretty much it. You can also hook it to a controller to only let it run for a short time every day for extra security. There are enough electronic ones out there now that float valves are an unnecessary risk. I use the avast one. It uses a tube and it triggered by pressure as the water goes up and down. It has been perfectly reliable for 10 months now. I have read several cases of the IM hydrofill and the aqua smart ato failing. A lot of people like the Tunze 3155.

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I have the autoaqua smart ATO, been using it for 6 months and no issues whatsoever even with multiple power outages these past few weeks.

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Thanks for the tips. That autoaqua seems like a good price. I think it will fit right in the back of the Biocube. The third chamber has a lot of room in it. Putting the ATO on a timer is a great idea. I was worried about the thing sticking on at some point. Those little pumps can't do that much damage in a few minutes I guess. I mean, enough damage...but not 5g of water damage.

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Thanks for the tips. That autoaqua seems like a good price. I think it will fit right in the back of the Biocube. The third chamber has a lot of room in it. Putting the ATO on a timer is a great idea. I was worried about the thing sticking on at some point. Those little pumps can't do that much damage in a few minutes I guess. I mean, enough damage...but not 5g of water damage.

There are a lot of minor issue that comes with the electronic sensor based ATO's that you need to consider. I would not run the autoaqua on a timer as it has issue with power outages. Basically, every time the timer would turn it off, it would not be calibrated when it came back on. Timers work well as a fail safe for float valve based ATOs, but not for electronic sensor based ato's. I did a write up comparing all the available types of ATOs on the market a little while back. Let me see if I can find it.

 

That's pretty much it. You can also hook it to a controller to only let it run for a short time every day for extra security. There are enough electronic ones out there now that float valves are an unnecessary risk. I use the avast one. It uses a tube and it triggered by pressure as the water goes up and down. It has been perfectly reliable for 10 months now. I have read several cases of the IM hydrofill and the aqua smart ato failing. A lot of people like the Tunze 3155.

I second this. I use the Avast Maring pressure sensor ATO and love it.

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I purchased the Elos Osmocontroller yesterday from MD. Someone must have been waiting at the desk for my purchase. About 2 hours later, I received a tracking number. WOW!!!

 

I'm currently having a PicO 20G built, and plan to use this in my nano. I know the return hose isn't provided in the box, so I'm just going to wait and see just what size I need to order.

 

I like this unit because it mounts on the provided hanger, and sits in the filer area without any magnets. I also like the fact, according to orders in these forums, it puts out only mouthful of water every 15 minutes. I really like this as to not shock any corals.

 

Stay tuned!

==========================================================================================

CORRECTION:
I received my Elso ATO, and it DOES include the hose. I spoke to MD, and they will be updating the description. BTW, the white silicone hose is very flexible and of very high quality just like the entire setup.
I should have my tank setup in a few weeks. I'll report on it's performance shortly afterwards.

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Ive never seen any reaction from my fish, inverts, or corals when they get hit by brackish ATO water. Much less SHOCK. My corals do far more damage to each other than the ATO water; had a chalice send over feelers and kill half of a micromussa colony last night. I might just throw the chalice in the skimmer scum bucket, pissed me off.

 

While stability is something to shoot for... Maybe there comes a point of diminished returns, when the Hydor ATO is $60 instead of $200 for the Elos.

 

With pump and tubing, Hydor is about $75 total.

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i've been using the autoaqua smart ato as well for the past 8 months. a little on the expensive side but it's literally set it and forget it.

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Jackal_Knight

What are your thoughts on the Hydor Smart Level ATO? Does it have the same issues that it uncalibrates when a powerfailure occurs?

I've been using it for a few months now, and it great. You don't have to calibrate anything. Its been very reliable and hasnt giving me any problems. I haven't touched it since I installed it. I just refill the water res every week. And the alarm is very nice as well since I have forgotten to refill the resavoir a few time and it reminds me.

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I use the Avast Maring pressure sensor ATO and love it.

I just placed my order the the Avast Deluxe with peristaltic pump. Haven't used it yet but reviews are stellar. I went through two Tunze Nanos and did not like them.

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Jackal_Knight

I just placed my order the the Avast Deluxe with peristaltic pump. Haven't used it yet but reviews are stellar. I went through two Tunze Nanos and did not like them.

What happened to the tunze nano? Every one seems to like them. I really wanted the avast ato too but settled with the hydro one.

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What happened to the tunze nano? Every one seems to like them. I really wanted the avast ato too but settled with the hydro one.

Everyone likes the standard Tunze, Nano version was mixed.

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What are your thoughts on the Hydor Smart Level ATO? Does it have the same issues that it uncalibrates when a powerfailure occurs?

 

No, it cant uncalibrate.

 

I have mine on a switch for water changes.

 

Works well. Kinda bulletproof.

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