Flash21 Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 So I think I have narrowed my choices to three ATO units. What are you thoughts?! Tunze nano 3152 JBJ Hydro Smart. Just yesterday being out and about at the coast. Tank lost 8-10oz of water and my concern being gone next month for 5 days scares me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHash-fish20 Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Tunze personally is the best. But I'm running a JBJ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltwater newbie Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 I would go jbj I had 2 tunze fail me or get one from autotopoffs.com Roy has used one of there's for years with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 I have used the Tunze and JBJ, I like the Tunze much better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 My Tunze has been excellent for like 8+ years. I had to replace the optical sensor once and it was like $20 I'm pretty sure I have a spare Tunze nano I could sell you if you want. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash21 Posted April 18, 2016 Author Share Posted April 18, 2016 As far as the tunze it will fit in the 29 BC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 AutoTopOff.Com Dual Switch for $50, love these 100% more than any of the commercial ones, Tunze & Hydor Have annoying Alarms, The JBJ Has a few cool Modes on it but why spend more for something that does exactly the same thing? http://autotopoff.com/Double/index.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash21 Posted April 18, 2016 Author Share Posted April 18, 2016 Exodus... I looked at those units and not sure how I'd rig it up in a 29 BC. First time ever running a ATO! So need something easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Tunze... Connect the float with the magnet at the desired level and plug it in. Doesn't get much easier. All of those alarms can be turned off and on lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexinverts Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 I've had all three of these. JBJ lasted about 5 months and pooped out on me. I have two Tunzes, and they work well and are going strong after 2+ years. My only complaint about the Tunzes is that they dump all of the water out of the hose every time that you turn them on and off. This results in extra RO water in the tank after you make an adjustment, etc... This is more of an issue with a smaller reef tank, however, since it is easy for me to have my water level go a little too high after a water change if I don't replace slightly less water than I take out. Probably not an issue if you are running 150 gallons. My Hydor is working really well, and it doesn't have the issue I mentioned with the Tunze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash21 Posted April 19, 2016 Author Share Posted April 19, 2016 Meaning every time they turn on to replenish the water in the tank? They will empty out the line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexinverts Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 When you turn them back on after turning them off, they dump all the water in the line. So, I avoid turning them off as much as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 The AutoTopOff.Com one is the easiest of All them to figure out... See that Black Thing on there with the Zip Ties? That hangs on the back of your tank in a back chamber, the one with the Snail Guard you zip tie to it where you want your water level, the Float switch without a snail guard gets zip tied to the black thing above the bottom one for safety, You plug in the power cord, then you plug your pump into the empty outlet on the black box, when the float switch on the bottom drops like a toilet the pump activates pumping water into the tank, if for any reason that switch fails and it gets to the top switch it will shut off the ATO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Oh btw if you choose the Tunzee or the Hydor, ensure you regulate your water flow or get a slow moving pump. Both ATO's have overfill Sensors that alarm. In the back of an AIO where the switches will be if the water comes out of there to fast it will always go over the Sensor before it registers and shuts it off. It's not a bad thing as it will stop it will just always be a tad over, but the Hydor and Tunzee will be very displeased and and they will sound an alarm. I use a ball valve adjuster on the end of my input hose to adjust the flow incoming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 TUNZE NANO all the way. Hydor ATO is pretty meh and it lets the water evap for while before re filling. The Tunze Nano for the price is one of my favorite ATO's. I do not have experience with the JBJ but I hear its decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabeaver Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 I recently had a problem with my tunze that's about two years old now...calcium build up on the float and housing caused the float to stick on while on vacation..it's one that doesn't have the optical sensor. Whatever you end up with make sure to keep any float valves clean. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash21 Posted April 19, 2016 Author Share Posted April 19, 2016 Thanks NinjaBeaver I will make sure I clean it once a month or so. I'm indecisive as of now. Want the Tunze. A member is making me a good deal on a used one just not sure if it's worth buying a semi used one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 I would go jbj I had 2 tunze fail me or get one from autotopoffs.com Roy has used one of there's for years with no issues. I use this one too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 I ran a jbj for 2 years with zero issues, I now run the ato.com setup and no complaints so far. I've had it about 10 months. Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matteo Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Tunze has the best pump IMO but if you simply just rinse and clean the float valve every month you should have zero problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash21 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 A little update. After many nights of thinking. I have finally made the purchase of a tunze nano. That I just placed now!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Let me know what you think when you get it! I'm thinking of getting one for my AIO 45 JBJ:) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash21 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 Will do. Just happy to get one. As never had one and it will be nice not having to have a drip line and doing it manually!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash21 Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 Just hooked up the ATO. So far so good. Hard to tell from one day of use. Tank looses about 8oz a day give or take. I'll know more tomorrow if I need to move it up or down. For the 100$ it's well worth it. Thanks everyone for the input! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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