There must be something wrong. I have a tunze on one tank that has been in use for two years. I've never had to reset it and I've only cleaned the sensor once.
Why do people buy expensive ATO?
- Thread starter subodhs
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Danyole
Community Member
Been using a $50 MagTool ATO for close to 3 years now never had to replace anything and it comes with a controller. Not quite sure what a salinity sensor in my ATO container would do but I don't find manually testing a hassle at all. I have a routine and when i'm too hands off I tend to get bored anyways which is pretty much what happens with all of my FW tanks
which one? this isn't normal. Mine is 10 years old now.
If you dig a bit further into the logic of this being an expensive hobby. Why then, purchase a $300 ato over a $600 apex that not only serves as an ATO but much much more?
Asks if people use an expensive ATO... uses a $600+ Neptune Apex system for ATO
Pretty sure it doesn't do ATO out of the box either
The Apex Pro does not come with a salinity probe. That is an extra $200ofc you could do it with a apex solenoid or ATO or breakout box, more addons though.
I would also expect a salinity probe to have a "life expectancy" so that would be like buying a new ATO every few years?
It seems like doing it with salinity would be the most expensive way to have an ATO.
The salinity probe does not come with apex, its an extra $200. So the OP's way of doing it is $800.
A person could purchase and apex and a tunze and be about the same cost wise.
Ofc there are cheaper ways of doing it like a solenoid or breakout box though those are probably on par with cheaper ATO.
The reality is you don't actually save any money with apex being the ATO since it isn't built in.
Maybe the OP still thought apex came with salinity probe as it used to but cuts have been made..
GARRIGA
2500 Club Member
Tampa Bay Reef Keepers
West Palm Beach Reefer
305 Reef Club
MAC of SW Florida
Rock Pool Reef Keepers
You're missing the point and wife argument... You buy both because you need both
My cheapest is $30 ATO. Single sensor and micro pump. But I wouldn't trust it in a tank that evaporates a lot.
Of course my most expensive one is hydros controller with their ATO kit. Both work equally good. Just more sensors on one then the other. Plus more!
Of course my most expensive one is hydros controller with their ATO kit. Both work equally good. Just more sensors on one then the other. Plus more!
OP
OP
@petcellar There's no such thing as a dumb question, and I appreciate you asking. This thread has veered off into directions I didn’t anticipate, so to keep things on track (and avoid adding fuel to the fire), I’ll PM you the programming details—it’s just a few lines of code. Feel free to reach out if you need more clarification!
This might be my ignorance talking. Why would someone need a conductivity probe in order to operate an ATO.
I would agree that monitoring tank salinity has more benefits than not monitoring. But what benefit does it offer the ATO's ability to replenish evaporated water?
I recently got a backup apex pro that's still sealed in the box. I must've missed the fact that it was viod of the conductivity probe.
But on that note, the newer apex pro comes with a liquid level sensor and a built in FMM directly in the main apex brain. That means you only need to purchase a cheap pump to complete your ATO needs.
My point still remains that, if someone uses the excuse that this is an expensive hobby, why not spend 2/3 more and have a lot more options?
He tops off based on salinity of the probe.
My tunze is 10 years old and still works, haven’t even replaced the pump.
My apex EB32 lasted 2 years since they use crap parts in it.
My understanding is the FFM reliability isn’t there, at least it wasn’t last year. They were good for monitoring but not reliable for top off.
Why does apex sell the atk for another $200 if the apex can already do ATO?
FYI I would never buy the ATK, it’s so meh for the cost.
Also,
DONT put all your eggs one ONE basket.
I bought a tunze osmo because it is one of the best at what it does. Also I bought it 10 years ago before the new apex even existed. I would still buy it.. because it is still better than anything Apex has to offer and has its own brain.
If I was to use apex for top off... it would be with the breakout box where I could set up multiple float switches. Then you could technically have it tell you when skimmer cup is full or ATO is empty...
but I am lazy and I don't need all that monitoring anywho since ATO gets filled and skimmer emptied without needing float switches. May be more useful if my sump was in a basement though, easier to forget about something that is out of sight.
Last edited:
I have cats, I bought a $700 automatic cat box and a $100 addon to automatically refill it with litter.
I would rather manually top off RODI every day then scoop cat **** lol
Now THAT was the best investment.
I would rather manually top off RODI every day then scoop cat **** lol
Now THAT was the best investment.
TaylorPilot
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2015
- Messages
- 1,460
- Reaction score
- 1,271
This dude has been making these for atleast 20 years. They just work. I would put a tom's aqua lifter on it and it will work for years and years and years...
vlangel
Seahorse whisperer
I have had ATOs but found it easier to put glass tops on my tank to drastically slow evaporation. I have heard the arguments that the tank does not get enough oxygen exchange but with good flow and the surface water of the tank having a little ripple that is never an issue that I have experienced. In the old days before ATOs tank tops is how we all dealt with evaporation and it helps salt creep too. Yes I have to add water once a week but so do a lot of folks who have reservoirs for their ATOs. It's old school but then so am I, LOL!
Too be honest I wonder the same thing about Apex and similar products. I'm a low tech hands on type although I do have a ATO for the convenience.
Matt Carden
Valuable Member
I've had bad luck with float sensors therefore I setup 12 timers on my reefpi to dose RO for 1.5 minutes. Adjust as necessary.
reefkeep
Community Member
I’ve been unlucky with float switches, avaste, Redsea and Tunze. Tunze fails in the off position, best by far but I don’t trust it on my large tank. Redsea’s new on is the worst, it dumped nearly 4 gallons into my tank one day. My solution, I dose 4000 ml of freshwater and then manually turn on the Redsea ATO for a minute at a time every few days. I also monitor levels with Apex.
Similar threads
