ATO configuration suggestions

[StashuDave]

Mark, I have a similar setup to what Gravej1s does....I use a Reef-Filler pump as my primary protection. It can handle pressure so it will be able to pump from across your house, you can have it push thru a Kalkreactor as I do, and it can only pump 3 gallons per day max. I think this 3 gallon per day max is the ultimate protection...... Even if all of your float switches fail it would take days for there to be a flood.

I evaporate about 1 gallon per day on my 120, I keep my 40 gallon sump filled half way giving me basically 20 gallon overflow capacity.... Divide 20 gallons by the "extra" 2 gallons that could potentially get pumped in the event of total float switch failure... And that gives me 10 days to figure out I've got a problem. If you go the next step and limit the number of hours it can be on you can extend this even more.
I think the difference is that we know the float switches are going to fail eventually.... This system gives you the least likely hood of disaster when that happens.

Dave

 

[Capt_Cully]

Those look nice, but a bit pricey. Are they peristaltic?

 

[IronMan72]

I'll be looking for an automatic top off solution in the near future as well. The reef filler really seems like a nice product. The dual head model can be used to perform continuous water changes as well. Getting the blessing to buy such a product would be my biggest challenge. I will probably end up using a combination of float switches and my ACII in the short term.

 

[jacksonpt]

I'll have you know that since I started posting in this thread, my ATO float switch has failed twice.

Irony??? *shakes head*

 

[Gravesj1s]

Those look nice, but a bit pricey. Are they peristaltic?

Nope, diaphram .

Some pros,No tubing to replace like the peristalic pumps,Can draw up from a 5 foot distance,pumps (memory lapse here)up to 50 foot ,I think.Handles limewater very well,ime.Self draining ,whitch helps if you ever need to free the lines of kalk.Though Ive never had to do it yet.

Cons -expensive,loud.Sounds like an electric can opener.

Mines in the basement ,no issue with noise.I bought it used in the selling forum here on RC, $100 shipped for the dual head model,came with all necessary fittings found the tubing at lowes 5 dollars for 25' 3/8" tubing.

 

[talon4x4]

The one issue I ran into with my ATO was caused by my skimmer. One day the skimmer went crazy and started overflowing causing the water level to drop. So the ATO would kick on to make up the difference. This kept happening until it emptied my 20gal reservoir of fresh water (I know, shouldn't have something this big). Now I just run a pump with my ACJr. It turns on for 60secs twice a day. This has been working perfectly for the past year. During the summer I run a maxijet 1200 in the winter a maxi 600. Could probably do it easier with a ball valve but this works so I'm sticking with it.

No more ATOs for me.

 

[Capt_Cully]

The one issue I ran into with my ATO was caused by my skimmer. One day the skimmer went crazy and started overflowing causing the water level to drop. So the ATO would kick on to make up the difference. This kept happening until it emptied my 20gal reservoir of fresh water (I know, shouldn't have something this big). Now I just run a pump with my ACJr. It turns on for 60secs twice a day. This has been working perfectly for the past year. During the summer I run a maxijet 1200 in the winter a maxi 600. Could probably do it easier with a ball valve but this works so I'm sticking with it.

No more ATOs for me.

Ya know, I almost like this idea the best. In the past, I've run my reservoir dry, melting a Mag 5, not sure how close to a fire that was. I've forgotten to unplug the ATO at least a dozen times during a waterchange, dumping anywhere from 5-40gallons of fresh RO into the system.

How do you have your ACJr configured? If time >___,then AC on. If time >___, then AC off.

Or are you using a different mode?

 

[talon4x4]

How do you have your ACJr configured? If time >___,then AC on. If time >___, then AC off.

Exactly like that. Nice and simple. It hasn't failed me yet!! (where is that piece of wood).

 

[pascal32]

that is a very safe approach if you are there every day to make sure you are putting in enough (which you are and are very good at!). I would still encourage high and low switches, because things go wrong (electric port fails to start or gets stuck). On the reefkeeper 2/4 ports have hard relays, the other two soft. on the softs if the power draw is low then they sometimes get stuck on.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I mentioned d before, the trouble with automation is potential failure. Nothing is more crucial than close monitoring of your system. I've been noodling with this...ok...well...obsessing really. My latest plan is to do a timed adjusted dosing with the ACJr as talon suggested. On top of that, I'm going to utilize a high shut off with one of the ATO units I have. In the 7 years I've had my AC its never failed (knock on wood), but I have the redundancy available, so I'll use it.

Next, I don't have room under my stand for a small reservoir and my Ca reactor. I do have room in the laundry room under the utility sink which has a cabinet that houses my RO unit. I'm planning for a 5 gallon kalk still reservoir. I'm going to also have that on a timer to dose throughout the day to avoid spikes.

All this automation still requires that I keep my finger on the pulse, but it will limit bucket carrying. That's a biggie! As for close monitoring, like I said, 2 kids under 2...... I'm pretty much home most of the time!

Oh, and Pascal....I fixed the babyproof latches :thumbsup: