ATO for nano.. use apex to control?

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ninersrule1

New member
Going to get an ATo but was hoping to run it using my Apex...

I see the Micro Smart ATO lite. If I ran it off my Apex to turn it on for few seconds each day, maybe that would serve as a double safeguard from having it overflow the tank in case sensor goes bad? I guess I can run it without to see how long it takes to refill, so let's say it takes 5 seconds to refill, I could set it to turn on for 8 seconds?

Obviously the sensor will work and stop it at 5, but if it doesn't it will just take another 3 seconds for apex to turn it off?

Thoughts ?
 
I have ran my ATO with Apex for the past 5 years. I have a float Switch set up to a break out box that tells my MAG 5 pump to pump RODI into the tank. Never had a problem.

Sent from my SM-G988U1 using Tapatalk
 
using the apex instead of separate ATO controller is great. just buy the breakout box, some of the madison float switches, and extra wire from amazon. no need for an extra controller unless you are super worried about redundancy. you can program a lot of failsafe measures in the apex float (min/max run time, max amount of 'ON' switches during a specified time frame, and turn off if it is on too long-this will set the outlet to OFF and is last resort). you can install multiple floats as well. IMO, the programming ability makes it way better than a stand-alone system. let me know if you need any programming suggestions
 
you need the breakout box if you don't have one. there are third-party ones on ebay that come with on/off switches and are better than the one from apex imo
 
jorda9095 said:
you need the breakout box if you don't have one. there are third-party ones on ebay that come with on/off switches and are better than the one from apex imo
Click to expand...

I see several different ones but prices vary. Seems like cost of break out box, float valve and pump would cost about same as an actual ATO system? Maybe not one of those expensive ones.
 
ninersrule1 said:
I see several different ones but prices vary. Seems like cost of break out box, float valve and pump would cost about same as an actual ATO system? Maybe not one of those expensive ones.
Click to expand...

The price might be comparable to other lower end ATO setups to get started but will have more control/reliability with the apex and can set alerts if anything goes wrong. Some of those systems require you to buy a pump as well (i think JBJ). The breakout box has other uses (on/off switch, float in ATO container, float in skimmer cup, etc). You can buy one of those systems for around the same price but will have no ability for additional programming/expansion and will have to rely on features programmed by the manufacturer to work properly. My osmolator just stopped working one day and would've been a major issue if I was traveling or not around the tank. I now have it setup where I would know if there is a problem and the ATO has been on/off for too long.
 
Ok thanks for the feedback.

Any specific brand for the breakout box from eBay people have had success with?

Same with float, any specific brand/model recommended ?
 
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