4th ATO crapped out again

[ReefCube]

I have heard of so many bad jbj ato but they dont seem to change or improve their ways I decided to look into the tunze brand for reliability anyone have experience with them?

[Big_Pun]

wow i have a used one i bought about a year ago and no problems. not even a hick-up. sorry to hear your having problems, but the people i know that have tunze like them.

[CoryDude]

I've used the tunze osmolator for almost 10 years now. I've got 2 on different tanks and have never had to replace them. But, I have had to replace the feed pumps a few times over the years. I think I've done it twice, but they only cost $18 to replace.

Pro's:
- Very reliable
- Auto shutoff in case of sensor failure or the replacement h2o resevoir runs dry
- Very accurate water level since you're using an IR sensor instead of 2 float levels
- Tank or sump overflow alarm

Cons:
- About 2X the price of the JBJ
- Feed pump can go bad after a few years
- The feed line can develop a siphon if the outlet is NOT installed above the resevoir. Water will continue to flow into the tank even though the control unit has shut the pump off. This can be fixed by installing the output of your feed line at a level above your resevoir. This may be a common problem with all top-offs. Not sure if I've only ever owned a tunze.
- Electrical connection from the DC power convertor can become corroded after exposure to the salt air. So you may need to take some light sand paper and clean the male connection every so often, or the control unit won't power up.

Hope this helps.

[txav8r]

Tunze feed pumps are on backorder right now. I just tried to order one yesterday. The rep said they are designed to last 12 to 18 months and should be considered expendable.

[Europhyllia]

Tunze feed pumps are on backorder right now. I just tried to order one yesterday. The rep said they are designed to last 12 to 18 months and should be considered expendable.
that's good to know! means I'll order a spare one when they/re back in stock, just in case...

[txav8r]

that's good to know! means I'll order a spare one when they/re back in stock, just in case...

Not before I get mine!

[Europhyllia]

I am hoping they'll manufacture more than one! lol

[CoryDude]

12-18 months? I would get mad after they would go out after 2 years. Guess I shouldn't have been complaining so much.

I'll see if I can get in touch with Roger their N. American rep. I used to work for him when he owned aquatek.

[ramsey]

The replacement pump is $20. :)

[neogenix]

I'm running my ATO with a toms aqualifter, and my RKE, and have a spare float switch, a pair of float switches (one extra high for protection) and an extra toms aqualifter in the cupboard... seems to do fine for me :)

[kkiel02]

TUNZE=awesome. I did go through my first pump after running it dry multiple times on my temp setup(the pump was way over 18 months old though). I would never buy anything else as I have had great success and it is much more precise than most other ato.

[BSJF]

I've still got my Tunze osmolator in the closet. Just using an aqualifter right now. Too lazy to set up the ozmolator. I've had one on my 125g in SL and bought one when I moved here, but I haven't bothered to set it up. The only issue with the osmolator is that it shouldn't be plugged into a controller and the pumps do go out periodically (especially if you run them dry).

[StevenSeas]

I havent ever owned a tunze but have my JBJ hooked up and working for over 2 years without fail (knock on wood and crosses fingers) I am not sure I would like the fact that the manufacturer even states that the pump is "expendable," why is this? seems like a waste to me, should be an easier fix than ordering a new pump. But anyways I am happy with my JBJ.

Ooo PS: with any ATO if the feed line is submerged it will create/keep a siphon draining to w/e is lower either the tank or the ATO top off resivour.

[ramsey]

I havent ever owned a tunze but have my JBJ hooked up and working for over 2 years without fail (knock on wood and crosses fingers) I am not sure I would like the fact that the manufacturer even states that the pump is "expendable," why is this? seems like a waste to me, should be an easier fix than ordering a new pump. But anyways I am happy with my JBJ.

Ooo PS: with any ATO if the feed line is submerged it will create/keep a siphon draining to w/e is lower either the tank or the ATO top off resivour.

I have both and I think the JBJ is fine for a small tank but for a big tank, the Tunze is much better. It has more fail safes than the JBJ and it would be very hard for water to end up all over your floor. Plus, I trust the optical sensor more than a float switch. That said, it is a lot more money than the JBJ.

[ReefCube]

tunze it is then..I may try to find one used