I need to set up an ATO for my two tanks. However, I do not use an RO unit and do not need to. Reason being, I have spring water that supplies my home that I have used for the last 4 years without any problems. So, would I be able to simply use a float switch to be able to do this. Just plumb with either a pierce valve or with the RO line and fittings from PVC? Also, would my water pressure need to be restricted for the ATO to work properly?
ATO question
- Thread starter jmccown
- Start date
Just treat your water line like any other RO/DI system. Instead of a float switch use a float valve on the end of your RO tubing. If you want a back up use a float switch and relay to control a solenoid that feeds water to your float valve, and for even more back up run the switch and solenoid on a timer so it only comes on a few times a day for just a couple minutes. To mount the float valve if your sump can't be drilled just mount your float valve to a piece of acrylic and secure the acrylic to the inside of your return.
rsuplido
Member
I suggest a float valve, JG fitting tapped or running directly from a faucet, and a solenoid (lower the pressure if you can). You can try using a simple, cheap ATO from autotopoff.com. It will come with 1 or two float valves and the electronics to control the solenoid. They sell solenoids too if I'm not mistaken.
I really don't know a thing about ATO and how it works. But it would basically be the same concept as a commode fill valve, right? What is the difference between a solenoid valve and a float valve? I want to run 1/2" pvc straight under my tank and tap it with the RO line and hook to either a float valve or a solenoid valve, but I want to do it as safely as possible. I'm trying to make my system as maintenance free as possible and this would help tremendously.
Yes. A commode fill valve is a float valve.
A solenoid is basically an electronically controled commode fill valve. You need a seperate electronic float switch to make it turn on and off. A float valve uses the pressure of the float to open and close the flow of water. So it boils down to one being mechanical and the other electrical.
This is something only you can answer. Solenoids require electricity and some people are terrified of things going wrong but if you use a 12VDC system the risk is pretty much gone. You can hook up the solenoid system to a timer so it will only kick on for a set time then turn off, but with a float valve any time the float drops it releases water or if it leaks very much you can be in trouble and not even know until it is too late.
Well I guess I'm going to try the float valve and see how it works out. I'm going to put a gate valve before it so that if something goes wrong I can shut it off entirely, or if I'm gone long weekends or vacation I can turn it off. I monitor my system pretty closely and hopefully would catch it if something went haywire. If not it surely wouldn't be the first time I've caused a flood. I'm plumbing all my tanks together to a central sump tomorrow so I've got a good bit of project time in front of me.
Your tank is too nice. I wouldn't use anything other than an osmolator and either run it from a secondary container or else put it on a timer.
The osmolator's 99.99% of the time fail in the off position.
They also have the optic water level sensor that I hear is far superior.
The osmolator's 99.99% of the time fail in the off position.
They also have the optic water level sensor that I hear is far superior.
LtPiper
Active member
I would never NEVER hook an ATO to a water source that had a indefinate supply of water or enough water that would let the system have a major overflow. I've heard too many flood stories to ever do that.
I have mine set in a 2.5 gallon tank that I have to refill every 2~3 days depending on humidity. Even if it ran the full 2.5 gallons into the tank on a failure I'd still have about a half gallon breathing room.
I have mine set in a 2.5 gallon tank that I have to refill every 2~3 days depending on humidity. Even if it ran the full 2.5 gallons into the tank on a failure I'd still have about a half gallon breathing room.
Baldwin
New member
I wouldn't either, you could use a 30 or 40 gallon pretty safely though, and if you get a jbj it will only run for 4 minutes consistently. If you use a really small pump like a maxijet 400 it will only run like 10 or 15 gallons in 4 minutes, thats a safe way to go. I think if you invested in an apex lite you would be even happier though jason. I love mine, you can give it commands to shutoff every two minutes it runs constantly, and send you an email if it kicks off. I never have to deal with unplugging or turning off anything manually. One of the best aquarium tools Ive bought period.
OK I have given much thought into all the warnings from you guys about hooking float valve straight to source. I am now looking for a complete kit for ATO that is easy to install and that I can just drill my sump for the valve. I guess I can do some sort of remote container for water storage and only fill it up maybe once a month or so. I think 50-60 gallons would probably last a month on topoff water. Are there any attractive recommendations on water containers? i use a brute 50g for my water changes but it gets put away when not in use. I don't want a big garbage can sitting in my living space so looking for other recommendations on storage containers.
Perched Urchin
New member
Solenoid Valves?
Solenoid Valves?
NM - answered my own question!
Solenoid Valves?
NM - answered my own question!
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