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Auto Top Off Units

post #1 of 37
2/20/12 at 7:48am
Thread Starter 

I'm looking to replace my current ATO system, and am curious as to what systems work and which to avoid.

Currently I like the looks of the JBJ unit, because it doesn't use suction cups to keep the sensors in place. So I'm just curious if this is a decent ATO system.

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post #2 of 37
2/20/12 at 4:55pm

Tunze has a nice unit......What's your price range.......

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post #3 of 37
2/20/12 at 5:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 View Post

Tunze has a nice unit......What's your price range.......



+1.  I have the osmolator and I like it a lot thumbsup.gif

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post #4 of 37
2/20/12 at 6:39pm
Thread Starter 

The cheaper the better. rotfl.gif

I saw the osmolator, but it's just so much more expensive than other units that have good reviews too.

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post #5 of 37
2/20/12 at 7:19pm
Price is a big issue, but there's differences in components used in their builds. Tunze utilizes optical sensors which is a price jumper.
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post #6 of 37
2/24/12 at 6:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 View Post

Price is a big issue, but there's differences in components used in their builds. Tunze utilizes optical sensors which is a price jumper.



Yeah, I realize. I looks like a really nice unit, it's just out of my price range. There are other things I need too.

Does anyone have experience with the JBJ unit?

 

 

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post #7 of 37
2/24/12 at 7:22pm

Autotopoff.com   I have had there unit for years...I did have an issue with it once,but the secondary shut off switch stopped a disaster.My 2 cents.mrknowitall.gif

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post #8 of 37
2/24/12 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yannifish View Post



Yeah, I realize. I looks like a really nice unit, it's just out of my price range. There are other things I need too.

Does anyone have experience with the JBJ unit?

 

 



 

I think I remember Flower saying she runs the JBJ unit......

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post #9 of 37
2/25/12 at 1:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 View Post



 

I think I remember Flower saying she runs the JBJ unit......

 

Yes I have the JBJ...it works great and costs $100.00.

 

 

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post #10 of 37
2/25/12 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 

Any complaints about it Flower?

I've found it new for $80.

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post #11 of 37
2/26/12 at 6:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by yannifish View Post

Any complaints about it Flower?

I've found it new for $80.


Only one...repalcement sensors. I accidently broke one sensor. I pulled the cord on the skimmer forgetting it was zip tied to the sensor to help hold it in place....and broke it, now I can't find a replacement. It ran flawlessly...
 

 

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post #12 of 37
2/26/12 at 7:25am

Hey Flower does the JBJ come with a mounting system for the sensors......shrug.gif

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post #13 of 37
2/27/12 at 5:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 View Post

Hey Flower does the JBJ come with a mounting system for the sensors......shrug.gif


Yes it did...However my refugium/sump has rims. So while the JBJ ATO fit nicely on the fish tank above when I had a canister filter, it did not fit the new sump/fuge. So I landed up using zip ties, which worked just fine until I forgot and pulled on the skimmer cord it was attached to.
 

 

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post #14 of 37
2/27/12 at 7:50am
I'm thinking about ordering the jbj model myself..
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post #15 of 37
2/27/12 at 7:51am

I've had a few bad experiences with ATO's, so now I just use a digital timer. It takes a couple of days to get the setting just right but once you do you don't have to worry about anything going wrong.

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post #16 of 37
2/27/12 at 8:25am
Thread Starter 

Digital timing won't work for me. My rate of evaporation changes lots, especially seasonally.
I like the looks of the JBJ unit. I'll have to figure out somehow to mount it in my reservoir. You can set a sensor in your reservoir so the unit doesn't run your top-off pump dry, but the bracket looks like it could only place the sensor about 6" down. I want a deeper reservoir than that.

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post #17 of 37
2/27/12 at 12:25pm

So I ordered the JBJ unit for $80. Hopefully it will serve me well.

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post #18 of 37
2/27/12 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 

Let me know how you like it.

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post #19 of 37
2/28/12 at 7:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by yannifish View Post

Digital timing won't work for me. My rate of evaporation changes lots, especially seasonally.
I like the looks of the JBJ unit. I'll have to figure out somehow to mount it in my reservoir. You can set a sensor in your reservoir so the unit doesn't run your top-off pump dry, but the bracket looks like it could only place the sensor about 6" down. I want a deeper reservoir than that.


Those brakets are for the fish tank sensor, not the holding tank.

 

I used a 37g plastic garbage can (marked FISH ONLY) for my holding tank. I had the utility pump on the bottom of the can, it was plugged into the JBJ unit and a hose running to the tank/sump. Then I took the second sensor and zip tied it to the top of the pump...so if the water ever goes that low, it will stop pumping water just before the pump is exposed to air. The other sensor was placed into the fish tank (or sump) at the desired water level.

 

If any of you can find a replacement sensor...PLEASE let me know.
 

 

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post #20 of 37
2/28/12 at 8:17am

Have you tried contacting JBJ directly flower?

 

yannifish - will do so.

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