TUNZE ATO REVIEW

This product sold as the Tunze Osmolator guarantees the safe and accurate compensation of evaporated water.It includes a 2 year warranty and is made in Germany.
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 The manual describes and illustrates several different aquarium scenarios.So one can easily see how to install the device in a cabinet,sump,open tank etc..
  A sleek black sensor is placed were you wish the desired water level to be.If this sensor is without water for 3 seconds,the pump will kick on and water will be dispersed.
 The safety sensor(grey cord)  prevents a over fill.
 The metering pump(white and blue) runs though the controller and requires no additional electricity.
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The larger magnet will work through glass 1/2" thick and is designed to hold both sensors.

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The smaller magnet works through glass up to 3/8" thick and can be used to mount the safety sensor in a different area of the aquarium.

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This unit is to be mounted using sticky Velcro.That's right,I'm not the only person who thought high tech sticky Velcro belongs in saltwater applications.Location above the aquarium is not recommended.In addition,the jacks should be protected from moisture,salts and the the possibility of falling into the sump.

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The unit will run a self test every time it is turned on,as indicated by a beep.

The LED lights indicate one of several things including:

 Green Level  -The water is at the desired level
 Red Too high - Water over fill.Alarm sounds and the pump will shut off automatically.
 Yellow Pump on -pump is pushing water
 Red Too low -The reservoir is empty,don't let this happen.


 If water penetrates the device all functions will crease and the red LED's will blink.In addition the pump will never run longer than ten minutes as a safety feature.
The unit may be opened if necessary to remove accidental water contact and to make adjustments.The "dosing power" can be set to a maximum pumping height of 3,6 and 9 feet.For systems over 1,000 gallons it is recommended that you set the controller at "max",and purchase a additional accessory.Also the alarm may be disabled if desired.

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The calcium dispenser holds kalkwasser diluted in water to be released slowly throughout a week.Whenever the pump runs,water passes through the dispenser and then into the aquarium.This prevents damage to the pump which would result if the chemical was added directly to the reservoir.You can expect to refillable reservoir and the calcium dispenser every 7-10 days.

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 The only complaint I have about this system is the hole in the calcium dispenser should be larger.This is a tight area to have to fumble around with powder.I don't find it terribly inconvenient to remove the power supply when cleaning my tank.I believe that must be done with any ATO unit.
 I am very happy with the quality and convenience this product provides.Within the first week my system was topped off five times.I really under estimated the amount of evaporation that was happening.I expect this to have a positive impact on my system.

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I am so glad some one has decided to write a review,especially about an Auto Top Off as I think about them from time to time. Looks like quite a thorough setup going on there, electric eye and fail safe make for a great form of automation, I am used to the old float valve. I would look into one if I had any room for a reservoir but not any here...But in a future build yes.

I am also with you on wanting to have my actual equipment controllers higher up instead of down below were I hate getting into.Whenever I have to do water change maintenance on a customers tank that has one of these I have to unplug the power source so it does not fill and scream\beep. it was also a pain to get too in one of the stands underneath were it was placed. Would have been nice if it was on a panel beside the tank or above where the lights and timers are.

Man that magnet bust be Really strong if it is still effective through half inch glass. I personally would make myself a nice frag rack out of it.could probably put some weight on it.