ATO reccomendations

[txstateunivreefer]

Any reccomendations for ATOs?

ive looked at ATO.com and some other places

im gonna stop DIYing them because i keep frying myself

[JeffCo]

I like the tunze osmolator, I've had it for almost 3 years and never had a problem.

[LoneStar]

I like the tunze osmolator, I've had it for almost 3 years and never had a problem.

Ditto

I've had mine for a few years now and never had a problem. If your looking to steer clear of the cheaper versions out there, the Tunze Osmolator is the way to go. :bigsmile::shades:

[txstateunivreefer]

are there any controllers that control top off?

[LoneStar]

are there any controllers that control top off?

You know its been too long since I've read up on controllers. The last one I was really interested in was the Profilux II controller. That thing is way cool. I believe that one has a built in ATO setup. Basically you will program a socket in its powerstrip to turn a pump on when the sensor tells the controller the water is too low.

Here is a good link for a controller comparison chart:
http://www.maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36219

[Bill S]

Well... My Tunze was VERY problematic. It finally quite for good, and I bought TWO of these: www.top-off.com (http://www.top-off.com) for the price to replace my Tunze. I also had an ATO that died after only 6 months.

They have several varieties/configurations available, and the guy is in Houston. Nice to support a "local" manufacturer. So far, they have been PERFECTLY reliable. Not quite as well "finished" as the others, but VERY nicely designed.

[cpreefguy]

I also have a float switch from www.top-off.com (http://www.top-off.com/) that I got at last years MACNA.
It has been over a year now and all I do it put RO water in my topoff bucket once every 2 weeks. It has really simplified my reefkeeping, and instead of topping off a lot of water every day, it tops off multiple times for greater consistency in salinity. I routinely leave my tank for a week at a time, sometimes up to 10 days, and the float switch keeps slainity right where I want it. I highly recommend you get one from the above website.

[txstateunivreefer]

the one i made was similarly designed i think the sealant on the float switch failed because i dont know how the current could leak any other way, it was the only thing in contact with the water

[jroescher]

I got mine from http://www.autotopoff.com/ (www.autotopoff.com). Relays and selenoid.
It's hooked directly to the RO/DI. I have a second overflow relay for safety and an overflow drain.

I've use it for several years without any problems.

I'm fixing to buy more for an auto water change project.

[brewercm]

I like the good old fashioned mechanical style Kent float valve hooked up to my RO unit which has a cut off when it's not working. Just teed a line off of my tank under my sink into a DI canister by the sump and into the float valve. Has not failed me in almost two years. Oh, and their are no electrical parts to cause a problem and go out.

OK, my two cents and as usual most people don't care for this style, but it works on the same concept as your toilets tank and how often does it overflow?

[Bill S]

I have the same thing on my RO unit, to my storage tank, Cliff. That being said, I also turn it off manually - 'cause it HAS failed TWICE. In addition, I've heard so many horror stories about RO units and top offs running amuck, that this way, the MOST I can dilute my system is 40 gallons - probably not enough to kill everything off. I LIKE redundancy. I also purchased 5 water alarms off of ebay for about $10 each - and use them all over the place. As long as I'm home (that's been an issue lately...), they will also let me know if a problem comes up.

[brewercm]

I just run my RO unit straight to my sump with no storage tank between them. The kent valve is actually in the sump. I did have it continue putting water in one time and diluting but that was my fault. I accidentally had my power cord to the skimmer laying on top of the valve after cleaning the pump, just enough weight to keep the valve open a little.
I keep an eye on my water bill and the waist line to make sure the RO unit's auto shutoff doesn't fail and just start dumping waist water constantly. I saw that happen on my father in laws system.