funman1
Active member
Well today I finally put the final touches on my ATO.
I used 3 float switches
2 in the tank (back of the nano sump)
and 1 in my refill jar.
I did a bang up job if I say so myself!!
I used a 2 gang electrical box and put in a plug and a switch.
The switch contols the top plug which has the return pump plugged in, so now I have any easy way to shut down the water flow durring feeding times. reaching behind the tank for the plug was getting old fast!
and then the bottom electrical plug is contoled by all 3 float switches.
If all 3 switches say "go" then the plug turns on and it's got an Aqua Lifter connected to so it slowly drips water into the tank till one of the switches says stop.
1 in the tank is the "main" switch which turns it on and off most the time.
the 2nd switch in the tank is to make sure that if the 1st switch fails and stays on the tank won't over fill in the event of a stuck switch.
and the 3rd switch is at the bottom of of the refill jar.
So if the refill jar runs out of water then the pump won't run dry forever trying to fill the tank..
I got a 1.3 gallon jar with a nice lid at Target.
It was a lot of work to assemble it all, and I ended up drilling a hole in my finger, but it was all worth it!!!!
Now I no longer have to worry about DAILY water top offs.
And now I can get those clowns I have wanted, but promised myself I would not get until I had a working ATO to keep salinity stable.
Phew...
Just thought some people might find that info usefull, I'm sure many of you already have one of these in place on your tanks, but thought I'd share..
~Steve~
I used 3 float switches
2 in the tank (back of the nano sump)
and 1 in my refill jar.
I did a bang up job if I say so myself!!
I used a 2 gang electrical box and put in a plug and a switch.
The switch contols the top plug which has the return pump plugged in, so now I have any easy way to shut down the water flow durring feeding times. reaching behind the tank for the plug was getting old fast!
and then the bottom electrical plug is contoled by all 3 float switches.
If all 3 switches say "go" then the plug turns on and it's got an Aqua Lifter connected to so it slowly drips water into the tank till one of the switches says stop.
1 in the tank is the "main" switch which turns it on and off most the time.
the 2nd switch in the tank is to make sure that if the 1st switch fails and stays on the tank won't over fill in the event of a stuck switch.
and the 3rd switch is at the bottom of of the refill jar.
So if the refill jar runs out of water then the pump won't run dry forever trying to fill the tank..
I got a 1.3 gallon jar with a nice lid at Target.
It was a lot of work to assemble it all, and I ended up drilling a hole in my finger, but it was all worth it!!!!
Now I no longer have to worry about DAILY water top offs.
And now I can get those clowns I have wanted, but promised myself I would not get until I had a working ATO to keep salinity stable.
Phew...
Just thought some people might find that info usefull, I'm sure many of you already have one of these in place on your tanks, but thought I'd share..
~Steve~
