ATO suggestions
- Thread starter snabss
- Start date
raddogz
Premium Member
I have a diy ato (dual float switch) on the 58g and a Spectrapure Litermeter on the 120g.
If you want to do a diy there is AquaHub.com which is pretty reasonable.
There is nothing wrong with diy - I wanted a more elegant ato system for my 120g so it didn't look like a diy chop shop.
If you want to do a diy there is AquaHub.com which is pretty reasonable.
There is nothing wrong with diy - I wanted a more elegant ato system for my 120g so it didn't look like a diy chop shop.
aquahub ans autotopoff.com both sound like good options. i am going the diy route because i like these little projects
i was looking at the jbj ATO as well and i like the feature where it turns off the pump after a certain amount of time regardless of the level switch state. i would like to incorporate that in the diy. anyone knows how to do that? it would be some sort of a timer circuit.
i was looking at the jbj ATO as well and i like the feature where it turns off the pump after a certain amount of time regardless of the level switch state. i would like to incorporate that in the diy. anyone knows how to do that? it would be some sort of a timer circuit.
reefboy1
Premium Member
snabss,
You can buy all of the parts I mentioned at www.marinedepot.com.
Details: The Aqua Lift pump's powercord is plugged into the sprectrapure float switch. The float switch applies power when the vacuum tube senses that the water level has dropped to a certain point (it has around a 2-3" tolerance). The pump will push water into the tank until the float switch senses the water is at the correct level and then cuts power to the pump.
The kent float valve is a failsafe and is set to be slightly higher than the high water level on the spectrapure so that if it ever fails in the "on" position (which it has), the valve will stop water from filling.
Btw, I do have a kalk reactor between pump and valve as well (but that's no really part of the ATO).
Hope this helps.
You can buy all of the parts I mentioned at www.marinedepot.com.
Details: The Aqua Lift pump's powercord is plugged into the sprectrapure float switch. The float switch applies power when the vacuum tube senses that the water level has dropped to a certain point (it has around a 2-3" tolerance). The pump will push water into the tank until the float switch senses the water is at the correct level and then cuts power to the pump.
The kent float valve is a failsafe and is set to be slightly higher than the high water level on the spectrapure so that if it ever fails in the "on" position (which it has), the valve will stop water from filling.
Btw, I do have a kalk reactor between pump and valve as well (but that's no really part of the ATO).
Hope this helps.
I built the dual switch relayed ATO unit from Aquahub and it works fine. Relatively easy to put together.
I also have an extra ATO from Cam at www.californiareefs.com - it works fine even without the relay (some say the relay makes it safer and two switches gives you a measure of prevention against overflow), but it was not adjustable enough for me on the new tank.
I also have an extra ATO from Cam at www.californiareefs.com - it works fine even without the relay (some say the relay makes it safer and two switches gives you a measure of prevention against overflow), but it was not adjustable enough for me on the new tank.
