{"product_id":"autoaqua-smart-ato-duo","title":"AutoAqua Smart ATO Duo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvaporation replaced automatically, before salinity has a chance to drift.\u003c\/strong\u003e The AutoAqua Smart ATO Duo is an auto top-off controller that reads your water level optically, with no float and no moving parts, and refills the tank from a reservoir using a DC pump rated at 280 L\/h. It suits aquariums and sumps where the top-up container sits below the water line, and the 180 cm sensor lead lets the controller sit well clear of splash. This listing is the SATO-280P, the original Duo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptical dual-level sensing\u003c\/strong\u003e — one sensor body carries two detection points, an ATO level sensor below and a fail-safe sensor above, so an overfill has to defeat two separate readings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQST over-run protection\u003c\/strong\u003e — the controller learns how long your first refill takes and alarms if a later refill runs six times longer. AutoAqua's worked example: a 10-second normal fill alarms at 60 seconds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAudible and visual alert\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Duo's manual specifies an audible and visual alarm, and a touch button silences it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCatches more than a stuck float\u003c\/strong\u003e — QST detects an empty reservoir, a failed sensor and a failed pump, not just a jammed switch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e180 cm sensor lead\u003c\/strong\u003e — 60 cm longer than the Smart ATO Lite, which matters when the controller is mounted outside a cabinet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMagnet mounted, no drilling\u003c\/strong\u003e — sensor and tube holder each clamp through glass or acrylic up to 12.7 mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eModel\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSATO-280P\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptical auto top-off, reservoir fed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower input\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, covering Australian 240 V \/ 50 Hz mains\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.5 W at 12 V DC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaximum flow (at zero head)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e280 L\/h (74 gph)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaximum head (at zero flow)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 cm (8.2 ft)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSensing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptical, two detection points; maximum sensing distance 25.4 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaximum mounting thickness\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12.7 mm, sensor magnet and tube holder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTubing supplied\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5 mm internal \/ 9.0 mm external diameter, 200 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSensor to controller cable\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePump cable\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower adapter cable\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWarranty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutoAqua publishes no rated aquarium volume and no noise figure for the Duo. Those rows are absent rather than estimated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich AutoAqua ATO do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eModel\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSmart ATO Lite\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSmart ATO Duo\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSmart ATO nano G2\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSmart ATO RO\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it fills\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAquarium or sump, from a reservoir\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAquarium or sump, from a reservoir\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNano aquarium, from a small reservoir\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYour RO storage reservoir, from the RO line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater mover\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDC refill pump\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDC refill pump\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDC diaphragm pump, built-in anti-siphon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDC solenoid valve, no pump\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaximum flow\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e280 L\/h\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e280 L\/h\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 L\/h\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRuns on RO line pressure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaximum head\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 cm suction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSensor cable\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlert\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVisual LED\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudible and visual, touch button to silence\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVisual LED\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudible and visual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTubing supplied\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5 \/ 9.0 mm, 200 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5 \/ 9.0 mm, 200 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 \/ 6.4 mm, 200 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/4 inch RO, 300 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank size stated\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 50 US gallons (about 190 L)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeneration and version differences\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the original Smart ATO Duo, model SATO-280P, identified by barcode 4714041211825. AutoAqua's current catalogue lists a second-generation Duo, the SATO-286P, in its place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pump specification is unchanged between the two: 280 L\/h and 250 cm of head either way. When ordering a replacement pump or sensor later, quote SATO-280P rather than the G2 code.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmart ATO Duo controller with dual optical sensor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUniversal power adapter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDC refill pump\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUniversal tube holder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSiphon break\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTubing, 200 cm, 6.5 mm internal \/ 9.0 mm external diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNot included\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA top-up reservoir is not supplied. AutoAqua's package contents list does not include one, and the manual specifies no reservoir size or material, so the container is your choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit my tank?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sensor magnet and the universal tube holder both clamp through glass or acrylic up to 12.7 mm. Above that thickness the magnets will not hold reliably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 180 cm sensor lead sets how far the controller can sit from the sensor, and the 180 cm pump lead sets how far the reservoir can sit from the controller. The pump lifts water 250 cm at zero flow, so a reservoir on the floor of a standard cabinet is well inside range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne placement rule from the manual: the siphon break must sit higher than the water level in the reservoir, or the tank can siphon itself back down into the container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e freshwater and marine aquariums and sumps, where evaporation is measured in litres a day rather than millilitres.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e installations where the controller needs to sit away from the water, on the outside of a cabinet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e glass or acrylic thicker than 12.7 mm at the sensor or tube holder position.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e a nano tank, where 280 L\/h overshoots between readings. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/autoaqua-smart-ato-g2-nano\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart ATO nano G2\u003c\/a\u003e meters at 12 L\/h for exactly that reason.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e dosing additives. AutoAqua publishes no dosing accuracy for this pump and does not present it as a dosing unit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e a position where micro-bubbles reach the sensor. The manual warns that bubbles cause false readings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSetup and safety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMount the dual sensor at your normal water level, with the water reaching the lower detection point. On a small aquarium the upper fail-safe point will trigger after each top-off, and the manual states this is normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mounting magnets are strong enough that AutoAqua prints an injury warning about them. Worth respecting when you are working one-handed inside a cabinet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the sensor out of direct light and away from anywhere micro-bubbles collect. Both defeat an optical sensor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse the pump inlet when flow drops off. A fouled inlet is the usual cause of a QST alarm on an otherwise healthy unit. Wipe salt creep and biofilm off the sensor face so the optics stay clear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFill the reservoir with water your tank already agrees with. Top-up water is added continuously and never removed, so anything dissolved in it accumulates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autoaqua-smart-ato-ro-auto-top-for-ro-system\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart ATO RO\u003c\/a\u003e — automates the other half of the job by refilling the reservoir itself from your RO line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/reef-pure-4-stage-eddentials\"\u003eReef Pure 4 Stage Essentials+\u003c\/a\u003e — an RO\/DI unit to make the top-up water the Duo will be moving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-smart-smart-level-security\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart Level Security\u003c\/a\u003e — an independent level alarm that cuts power to equipment, sitting outside the Duo's own logic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-digital-inline-tds-titanium-s1\"\u003eAutoAqua Digital Inline TDS Titanium S1\u003c\/a\u003e — shows when the water going into the reservoir has stopped being pure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autoaqua-smart-lite-ato\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart ATO Lite\u003c\/a\u003e — the same pump and head with a shorter sensor lead, if the controller can sit close to the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutoAqua's manual states a two-year warranty from the date of purchase, valid through an authorised reseller. That warranty applies in addition to the consumer guarantees you have under Australian Consumer Law, not instead of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe adapter accepts 100–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz, so Australian 240 V \/ 50 Hz mains is within specification. Ships as a standard parcel, with no dangerous goods or oversize handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes the AutoAqua Smart ATO Duo include a top-up reservoir?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The AutoAqua Smart ATO Duo ships with the controller and dual optical sensor, a DC pump, a universal tube holder, a siphon break, 200 cm of tubing and a power adapter. You supply the reservoir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat stops the Smart ATO Duo from overfilling the tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree separate things. The sensor body carries a fail-safe detection point above the ATO level point. The QST timer alarms if a refill runs six times longer than the first refill it learned. And the controller detects an empty reservoir, a failed sensor and a failed pump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow high can the Smart ATO Duo lift water?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e250 cm at zero flow. Flow falls as head rises, so a reservoir on the floor under a cabinet delivers less than the 280 L\/h headline, which is measured with no lift at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the difference between the Smart ATO Duo and the Smart ATO Lite?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth use the same DC pump, rated 280 L\/h and 250 cm of head. The Duo has a 180 cm sensor lead against the Lite's 120 cm, adds a touch button, and its manual specifies an audible and visual alarm where the Lite's manual specifies a visual alert. The Lite's manual states a one-year warranty; the Duo's states two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill the Smart ATO Duo work on a rimless tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, provided the glass is 12.7 mm or thinner where the sensor magnet and tube holder clamp on. Thicker glass is outside AutoAqua's stated mounting range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I run the Smart ATO Duo on tap water?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically yes, and AutoAqua publishes no requirement to use RO or RO\/DI water. In practice top-up water is added continuously and never removed, so anything dissolved in it concentrates in the tank over time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AutoAqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242290823459,"sku":"AA03082","price":209.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/autoaqua-smart-ato-duo-3003891-1600.jpg?v=1781836520","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/autoaqua-smart-ato-duo","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}