JBJ ATO is junk!

origreefer · 08/05/2019, 11:06 AM

Less than a year old, it failed. JBJ says 6 month warranty and they don't offer repairs. Stay away from this piece of orient junk. Any recommendations for a reliable ATO, something simple, not a Smart or anything like that.

tdhnry · 08/05/2019, 11:41 AM

Can't beat the Tunze 3152/55. They are tried and true workhorses.

I've had about three of them. Not because they failed but because I tried to find something better. I came back everytime.

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origreefer · 08/30/2019, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdhnry

Can't beat the Tunze 3152/55. They are tried and true workhorses.

I've had about three of them. Not because they failed but because I tried to find something better. I came back everytime.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I had 2 Tunze nano's, they both failed. I just got an Apex ATO, at least if it fails I can send it in for repair.

Bpb · 08/30/2019, 09:44 AM

Can you describe the manner of failure you’re experiencing. Having multiple failed ato units from different manufacturers is uncommon

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Uncle99 · 09/02/2019, 05:01 PM

Jebao DP-4, $100 bucks, mine now running 30 months.
I don't run any Kalkwasser through it.

Easy to calibrate accurately down to a ml, but DO, calibrate it, factory should be 1 ml, but each of 4 channels gave 2ml.

doradosteve · 09/03/2019, 05:25 AM

They work great for me-

I have four aquariums from 30 gal to 150 gal. with each one equipped with the JBJ topoff.

They have performed flawlessly for the past five years without a single issue.

mikebow16 · 09/03/2019, 12:40 PM

I’ve used a jbj ato for the last 12 years without an issue. The only thing is you need to replace the float switches every few years. No matter what brand you use they will need to be replaced periodically even the optical sensors will eventually corrode.

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mfinn · 09/04/2019, 03:51 PM

My JBJ ATO on my 240 is 10 years old.
I do end up replacing the floats every 5-6 years.

origreefer · 09/09/2019, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bpb

Can you describe the manner of failure you’re experiencing. Having multiple failed ato units from different manufacturers is uncommon

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The switching unit does not activate the pump. Doesn't provide power to the pump anymore. Pump works fine when plugged into a socket by itself.

lpsouth1978 · 09/15/2019, 12:48 AM

I have used autotopoff.com for several tanks and have never had a problem/failure. The price is good, but you don't have any bells and whistles. Just a reliable ATO that simply works.

08/05/2019, 11:06 AM	#1
origreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 264	JBJ ATO is junk! Less than a year old, it failed. JBJ says 6 month warranty and they don't offer repairs. Stay away from this piece of orient junk. Any recommendations for a reliable ATO, something simple, not a Smart or anything like that. __________________ Founder, DFWMAS, 1992

08/05/2019, 11:41 AM	#2
tdhnry Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New York Posts: 289	Can't beat the Tunze 3152/55. They are tried and true workhorses. I've had about three of them. Not because they failed but because I tried to find something better. I came back everytime. Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk __________________ 3x250w HQI's, 1/4hp Chiller, Tunze Wavebox, Tunze 6100, Reefkeeper 2 and RKL, Litermeter III w/PM Kalkreactor, PM Carbon Reactor, Mag 12, SWC xtreme 180 Skimmer Current Tank Info: 125gal reef tank

09/03/2019, 12:40 PM	#7
mikebow16 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 53	I’ve used a jbj ato for the last 12 years without an issue. The only thing is you need to replace the float switches every few years. No matter what brand you use they will need to be replaced periodically even the optical sensors will eventually corrode. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Mike

09/04/2019, 03:51 PM	#8
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	My JBJ ATO on my 240 is 10 years old. I do end up replacing the floats every 5-6 years. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

09/15/2019, 12:48 AM	#10
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I have used autotopoff.com for several tanks and have never had a problem/failure. The price is good, but you don't have any bells and whistles. Just a reliable ATO that simply works. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

08/30/2019, 09:44 AM	#4
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Can you describe the manner of failure you’re experiencing. Having multiple failed ato units from different manufacturers is uncommon Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

09/02/2019, 05:01 PM	#5
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Jebao DP-4, $100 bucks, mine now running 30 months. I don't run any Kalkwasser through it. Easy to calibrate accurately down to a ml, but DO, calibrate it, factory should be 1 ml, but each of 4 channels gave 2ml.

09/03/2019, 05:25 AM	#6
doradosteve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Palm Beach Posts: 145	They work great for me- I have four aquariums from 30 gal to 150 gal. with each one equipped with the JBJ topoff. They have performed flawlessly for the past five years without a single issue.