New ATO recommendations

[uclajay]

I have a Tunze 3155 that I bought back in 2016. It has been solid through the years, but failed today. Specifically, it looks like the optical sensor has failed. I say this because if I unplug the unit, it will start pumping like it always does after a power cycle- and it will correctly shut off if I trigger the float valve. I've tried soaking the optical sensor in vinegar and cleaning it, but it didn't do anything...

I tried to find a new 3155 but it looks like neither Amazon or BRS have any in stock. I tried to find a replacement tunze 5017 - replacement controller/sensors, but it looks to be sold out and/or discontinued. I suppose I'll get around to calling "local" fish stores too...

Any suggestions on fixing my unit?

Replace it with a diff brand? What are all the cool kids using these days?
I think I like how the 3155 has a mechanical/float sensor for shutting off. I run it in my sump so im not worried about snails blocking the sensor or anything. Please convince me if you feel different. I also appreciate the audible alarm when the water level is too high- I think i was reading that not all ATOs have this.

 

[tangreefkeeper]

i stopped using ATOs as they would fail so i have a gravity setup. 30 gal bin roughly 6 feet above the sump

never had an issue with going gravity fed. been doing it this way for roughly 6 years

 

[joseserrano]

I have a Tunze 3155 that I bought back in 2016. It has been solid through the years, but failed today. Specifically, it looks like the optical sensor has failed. I say this because if I unplug the unit, it will start pumping like it always does after a power cycle- and it will correctly shut off if I trigger the float valve. I've tried soaking the optical sensor in vinegar and cleaning it, but it didn't do anything...

I tried to find a new 3155 but it looks like neither Amazon or BRS have any in stock. I tried to find a replacement tunze 5017 - replacement controller/sensors, but it looks to be sold out and/or discontinued. I suppose I'll get around to calling "local" fish stores too...

Any suggestions on fixing my unit?

Replace it with a diff brand? What are all the cool kids using these days?
I think I like how the 3155 has a mechanical/float sensor for shutting off. I run it in my sump so im not worried about snails blocking the sensor or anything. Please convince me if you feel different. I also appreciate the audible alarm when the water level is too high- I think i was reading that not all ATOs have this.

Give Roger a call at Tunze. He may have a quick fix

 

[uclajay]

i stopped using ATOs as they would fail so i have a gravity setup. 30 gal bin roughly 6 feet above the sump

never had an issue with going gravity fed. been doing it this way for roughly 6 years

Thanks - I briefly looked into this before but I don’t really have a place to store this water above the sump.

 

[uclajay]

Give Roger a call at Tunze. He may have a quick fix

You have his contact info

 

[tangreefkeeper]

how big is your tank and your current top off container

 

[joseserrano]

You have his contact info

Tunze USA is Roger. Just contact Tunze USA

 

[tricky_tran]

so i acquired a SpectraPure Ultra Precise ATO system and i think its awesome. its a peristaltic pump and the level indicator is similar to the avast marine top-off control sensor. its really pricy but it works flawlessly.

https://spectrapure.com/collections...uto-top-off-system-with-magnetic-probe-holder

 

[uclajay]

so i acquired a SpectraPure Ultra Precise ATO system and i think its awesome. its a peristaltic pump and the level indicator is similar to the avast marine top-off control sensor. its really pricy but it works flawlessly.

https://spectrapure.com/collections/litermeter/products/spectrapure®-ultra-precise-auto-top-off-system-with-magnetic-probe-holder

Ouch- out of my budget. Thanks for the input

 

[uclajay]

how big is your tank and your current top off container

It’s a 65g and I have a 2gal top off container (yes, I could use bigger- it lasts about 4-5days. It is equipment from when I had a 22gal aqua Japan drilled/plumbed with a sump.

 

[tangreefkeeper]

by looking at the picture, you could possibly raise the top off container with a shelf or small cabinet and have storage under the top off.
use all the space that you have in the cabinet area
then it would be ran by gravity and all you need is a float valve, a few fittings and you're good to go for years

 

[uclajay]

by looking at the picture, you could possibly raise the top off container with a shelf or small cabinet and have storage under the top off.
use all the space that you have in the cabinet area
then it would be ran by gravity and all you need is a float valve, a few fittings and you're good to go for years

Yea that’s not a bad idea. But if I raise it up it will make it much more difficult to fill. Also I’d love to find a bigger container some day…

 

[Emac909]

i stopped using ATOs as they would fail so i have a gravity setup. 30 gal bin roughly 6 feet above the sump

never had an issue with going gravity fed. been doing it this way for roughly 6 years

Same here.

My top off container is a 55g barrel located on the second floor of my house. It gravity feeds 4 tanks my main system, a 30g fish qt, a 10g coral qt, and a 10g aiptaisa propagation tank (yes in farming aiptaisa to have enough food for berghia farming).

I’ve been using gravity feed ato for 15+ years and have not once had one fail. In fact I’m still using the first float valve I bought so many years ago. It’s in the 55g barrel.

 

[s2k]

send in your tunze ato to repair if u can. Mine is still going strong after many years.

 

[drexel]

If you can set up a gravity fed system, absolutely go for it. I've used this method from the 80's until 2015. I use a Tunze 3155 that's over 7 years old now and it's still going strong on my nano. As mentioned above, contact Roger at Tunze USA, he's awesome and will guide you in the right direction. Stay away from Neptune ATK, it's by far the worst ATO on the market and will fail on you at some point. I will most likely go back to a gravity fed system on my main tank, but the nano will be Tunze powered for a long time. The other ATO that I like (at least from my research) is the Avast Marine ATO, as it allows you to customize it to your needs and it's not overpriced like many on the market.
Gravity fed system with a quality float valve that's mounted securely in your sump and move on. If you have a controller, then you can set up a couple "high" and "low" sensors in case there's a problem with the float valve or you forget to refill your reservoir.

 

[mrtian97]

I agree, contact Roger at Tunze. Most likely he can replace the parts for lower cost than buy new ATO. I think mine was fixed for about $35

 

[Gedxin]

5 years for an ATO is a pretty good life imo. Is it not worth the peace of mind to buy a new one?