Best ATO on the market right now?

[Tonycass12]

Well it looks like my tunze 3155 ATO unit has finally come to the end of its time after 4 years. My optical sensor is no longer functioning.

I was caught off guard seeing that the 3155 is no longer for sale on some sites and has been replaced by the osmolator 3. I dont like that it doesn't come with the added float switch for a backup safety.

What's everyone using for ATO now? I've looked around and 2 of them caught my eye outside of the Osmolator 3. The red sea ATO and the Neptune ATK stand alone unit. Both of these units have features i like but I'm seeing a lot of reviews claiming early equipment failures. I like the wifi connectivity on the red sea ato and I really like the float valve on the Neptune unit to keep from accidently overfilling.

Photo of my reef because I hate posts without anything to look at lol

 

[Idoc]

Same thing just happened to my Tunze osmolator sensor!
I went ahead and purchased the Osmolator 3 but just haven't installed it yet. From what I have read about it, it is very good with less parts. It still has an overflow sensor, but it is built in on the single sensor attachment now...it is an optical sensor instead of a mechanical sensor.

 

[BR260354]

I like the concept of the Red Sea ATO+. I had it setup in my two tanks. However, I've replaced the sensor a few times in the year or so since install. I finally gave up on my larger tank. I believe the sensor couldn't handle what I was dosing - Ammonium Bicarb. Cleaning worked for a couple of days. I then switched back to Hydros ATO with the tri-sensor on my larger tank. My smaller one still has the Red Sea ATO+....on it's second sensor.

 

[TacticalBacon]

I use the Red Sea ATO and love and hate it.

It works great after you get a replacement sensor. It keeps track of your top offs and temps and keeps a log for them.
I really like the ability to see it from anywhere and know what is going on when I am not home.

I’ve seen several people state they are in their 3rd and 4th sensor. I actually ordered my second sensor after learning there were issues and I was getting a temp issues so I replaced it.

The log below shows I was doing some sump rearrangement and turned of the Auto fill and forget to turn it back on. So I didn’t have any top off for a day.

I do use a manual float as a precautionary back up and have it set up so the sump won’t overflow.
The RedSea also has a built in overflow technology that it remembered your normal top offs and will turn off if you exceed what is normally your top off.

I haven’t seen it work or even know if it does.

 

[lombeard]

Not what you asked for but FWIW; I picked up the Osmolator 3 (3154) after years with the 3155, and it's been excellent so far, silent compared to my old one which is a nice update. It has no float but has a thermal safety sensor? now. Not sure there's an ATO one can trust more than Tunze.

 

[braaap]

I have a brand new 3155 for sale. $125 shipped.

Personally I think the best on the market is the Avast Parrot but that requires you to provide your own pump. The best ready to go is the Spectrapure ATO.

 

[braaap]

Not what you asked for but FWIW; I picked up the Osmolator 3 (3154) after years with the 3155, and it's been excellent so far, silent compared to my old one which is a nice update. It has no float but has a thermal safety sensor? now. Not sure there's an ATO one can trust more than Tunze.

Avast or Spectrapure are far superior. But their cost is usually the turnoff.

 

[t5Nitro]

Agree with @braaap
If you can afford it, go with one of these.

 

[exnisstech]

I like a simple no frills ATO . I too have a 3155 running. My favorite JBJ ATO with only float switches is discontinued. I went with a kamoer ATO 1 two on my last build. Its only been 10 months but I've had zero issues so far.

 

[Reefing102]

I’ve run Kamoer ATOs (both the ATO One SE and ATO One 2 SE) and haven’t had any issues for a couple years.

I got rid of my Neptune ATK after 3 pump failures in right around a year (they didn’t over flow the tank, they just stopped working).

 

[lombeard]

Avast or Spectrapure are far superior. But their cost is usually the turnoff.

Thanks. I'll check them out, but to be honest, something working flawlessly for 10+ years is good enough for me.

 

[jrill]

Hydros

 

[WvAquatics]

SpectraPure Ultra Precise Auto Top Off System & Magnetic Probe Holder

SpectraPure's Ultra Precise Auto Top Off System with Magnetic Probe Holder - LLC-UPLC-ATO-115 For the Aquarium purist, this high quality auto top off (ATO) system will insure that your aquarium water level is maintained. Manufactured in the US, and Hand-Tested for Quality! See why SpectraPure is...

spectrapure.com

If i could justify the spending this would be it. But that's a lot of money for ato. I'm leaning toward the Parrot from avast marine.

 

[Tonycass12]

That spectrapure unit is definitely way more then I would like to spend. Im really liking the parrot from avast. I didn't even know they made an ATO, im going to keep looking into this one. The cost and function of this unit are right in the ballpark of what I'm looking for. I also feel the pressure switches are probably more reliable then the optical sensors used by most of the other companies.

The equipment failures with red sea and Neptune are huge turn offs for me. Not only is this an essential bit of equipment but if it malfunctions it can have catastrophic consequences.


Big thanks to all you guys on the varying opinions! Keep them coming! I'm going to check and see if my LFS can get the avast parrot in rn because I prefer to move buisness through them if I can.

 

[Featherweight]

NO on red sea ato. mine failed immediately, pump would not turn off.

 

[braaap]

That spectrapure unit is definitely way more then I would like to spend. Im really liking the parrot from avast. I didn't even know they made an ATO, im going to keep looking into this one. The cost and function of this unit are right in the ballpark of what I'm looking for. I also feel the pressure switches are probably more reliable then the optical sensors used by most of the other companies.

The equipment failures with red sea and Neptune are huge turn offs for me. Not only is this an essential bit of equipment but if it malfunctions it can have catastrophic consequences.


Big thanks to all you guys on the varying opinions! Keep them coming! I'm going to check and see if my LFS can get the avast parrot in rn because I prefer to move buisness through them if I can.

Honestly just buy it through Avast. They do so much for the hobby that supporting them directly is a pretty good option. But if you want to support your LFS and Avast they could always order it and mark it up I guess.

 

[Tonycass12]

Honestly just buy it through Avast. They do so much for the hobby that supporting them directly is a pretty good option. But if you want to support your LFS and Avast they could always order it and mark it up I guess.

Ha ive got a good relationship with my LFS and the shop owner knows I will buy online if he can't match the price and he will just tell me that if he can't. Honesty goes a long way with a LFS and if he can sell it to me for the same price avast has it listed for im happy to support his buisness.

 

[BR260354]

Parrot from Avast looks interesting. With my Hydros system, that could work well.

 

[dakoop]

I would avoid the Red Sea ATO+. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS

 

[Tonycass12]

Parrot from Avast looks interesting. With my Hydros system, that could work well.

No controller on my system, but the stand alone parrot seems like it will work well. I may get a couple of float switch activated plugs to plug the parrot and ato pump into for some added redundancy.