JBJ ATO auto top off?

jeremyj0247 · #1 11/01/2007, 06:56 PM

How is this top off system? I am putting it in my 10gal display, so I want something that is clean looking. I would post a link but I am not sure how. I am looking at Drs foster&smith.

Subliminal · #2 11/02/2007, 08:21 AM

I really like mine. Works pretty much flawlessly.

I have one sensor in my tank and one in my 5g bucket under my stand. I fill the 5g bucket about once a week and that's pretty much it!

InLimbo87 · #3 11/02/2007, 08:21 AM

I'm using the JBJ ato. Have had no problems with it whatsoever, definitely gets my recommendation.

AVALover5498 · #4 11/02/2007, 08:35 PM

I was also looking at this product. I'm pretty much set on getting this ATO. I've looked around for quite a while and this has gotten many good reviews. So, I'm excited haha.

-Chris-

m2434 · #5 11/02/2007, 08:41 PM

Anyone using it with a really slow pump, such as a dosing pump or an aqalifter?

cherubfish pair · #6 11/03/2007, 12:14 AM

I hear Tunze makes a really good one. It keeps the salinity at a very precise level.

reefturkey · #7 11/03/2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by m2434
Anyone using it with a really slow pump, such as a dosing pump or an aqalifter?

I knew someone that used with a dosing pump and he was very happy with it.

InLimbo87 · #8 11/03/2007, 02:04 PM

I use mine with an aqualifter, and it works great...

cherubfish pair · #9 11/03/2007, 09:39 PM

Dosing pumps are very expensive and aren't usually used in this type of application. Speed of the pump is immaterial. Twelve dollars is enough to buy a sufficient pump. I wouldn't pay any more.

Musho3210 · #10 11/03/2007, 10:49 PM

i love my tunze ATO, and it comes with a slow dosing pump so thats covered

Just another option in a hobby of options

MikePowell · #11 11/04/2007, 07:19 AM

you can find dosing pumps on ebay and labx.com they are used alot in the medical/lad/industrial Industries. try to find one that is all corroded and clean it up with vinegar. you can find ones as cheap as 20 bucks.

Genin · #12 11/04/2007, 08:40 AM

I use mine with a maxijet 400, works great!

m2434 · #13 11/04/2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cherubfish pair
Dosing pumps are very expensive and aren't usually used in this type of application. Speed of the pump is immaterial. Twelve dollars is enough to buy a sufficient pump. I wouldn't pay any more.

The speed of the pump does matter if you are mixing kalk with your topoff water. Don't wann' t to bring the pH up too quick....

cherubfish pair · #14 11/04/2007, 03:32 PM

m2434,

Are you talking about those very slow dosers that only dose a few mL per hour? They are also very expensive ~ $100 or more. Here we're just talking about freshwater top-off that is needed because of evaporation.

I think those real slow dosers are called peristaltic pumps and they would have to run several hours just to replace a few cups of water.

m2434 · #15 11/04/2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cherubfish pair
m2434,

Are you talking about those very slow dosers that only dose a few mL per hour? They are also very expensive ~ $100 or more. Here we're just talking about freshwater top-off that is needed because of evaporation.

I think those real slow dosers are called peristaltic pumps and they would have to run several hours just to replace a few cups of water.

Yes, peristaltic pumps are about $60-100. Right now I drip kalk at night. However, if I have one on a float switch, then I don't have to guess how much to make up at night - I just need to fill a reservoir and put the auto-top off unit on a timer. It may not be the typical use, but I think it would work great with a nano - why not kill two birds with one stone...

121a · #16 11/04/2007, 05:13 PM

i use a mini-jet 404, works great.

cherubfish pair · #17 11/04/2007, 06:14 PM

This is my top-off pump, rio 50, with 1/4" hose and John Guest fittings to make two 90 degree turns in the hose. The hose starts from the pump (which sits on the bottom of a five gallon bucket), and goes straight-up out of the freshwater resevior to a JG fitting turning 90 degrees to cross over to the sump and turns 90 degrees again and down into the sump, but not into the water because it would back siphon.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...IMAG0004-1.jpg

Here's the ATO unit, a Tsunami AT1, with the level sensor and control power box.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...IMAG0003-1.jpg

danoreef · #18 11/04/2007, 07:47 PM

have you seen this do it yourself one

http://www.aquahub.com/store/product27.html

jeremyj0247 · #19 11/05/2007, 08:12 PM

Are both sensors on the JBJ needed in the tank. I just have a 10gal with no sump and don't want big bulky sensors all over my tank. From what I have read on the JBJ there is a low sensor and a high. which one goes in the tank if only one is needed.

zack85 · #20 11/05/2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikePowell
you can find dosing pumps on ebay and labx.com they are used alot in the medical/lad/industrial Industries. try to find one that is all corroded and clean it up with vinegar. you can find ones as cheap as 20 bucks.

Took a look at LabX - could'nt find a dosing pump, but did see an awesome Doughnut Fryer

GobyJohnKenobi · #21 11/05/2007, 09:02 PM

I chose the Tunze for my 30.

To me it was worth the extra money for the pice of mind offered by the overfill cut-off float switch and the precision of the optical fill switch. Having a dedicated controller that cuts the unit off if it runs too long (both sensors fail) or if the top-off water container is empty is nice.

I run a surface skimming filter and keep the water level fairly high in the tank so consistency and accuracy are very important.

I bought it used for $100 and picked up a new pump for $15 and a European wire connector for $8 from Radio Shack to replace the corroded connector.

The Tunzes get bashed on their price pretty often, but when you look at everything you get for your money..... It's your money.
IMO & E - Best money I have ever spent on equipment.

QN5 · #22 11/09/2007, 06:18 PM

my JBJ ATO over filled my tank too many times. I had 2 sensors in my 20 long. Maybe I didn't set it up right. I haven't used it in a while. Can anyone tell me if I'm not using this ATO right?

InLimbo87 · #23 11/09/2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QN5
my JBJ ATO over filled my tank too many times. I had 2 sensors in my 20 long. Maybe I didn't set it up right. I haven't used it in a while. Can anyone tell me if I'm not using this ATO right?

What do you mean by filled it to many times? You mean it over-filled your tank?

If so, then yes you most likely have it setup wrong (or it is a faulty unit). How exactly do you have it setup? Have pics of your setup so we can see if its setup right (hard to tell w/o a description at least)?

nietzsche · #24 11/09/2007, 07:09 PM

is it me or is there like a 3 second delay once the it fills up the water in the tank before the sensor shuts the pump off?

QN5 · #25 11/09/2007, 07:52 PM

my ATO works fine for several days and out of no where, my tank is almost overflowing and my sg drops. Anyone has a picture of the set up?