DIY optical sensor for ATO

[CaptainDave]

I spent a decent amount of time looking for an optical sensor to hook up to my Apex to serve as an accurate sensor for ATO. I never found one, and ended up buying the Avast ATO pressure switch, which is functioning just fine so far. However, I remain on the search for an appropriate optical sensor. I found this one on a website I frequent:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/1...ail&utm_term=0_fa5287abaf-1cf33ebf68-62217565

Does anyone have thoughts on how this would work? Looks like you would need to supply power to it, but otherwise it might work. Here's the manufacturer's website:

http://www.sstsensing.com/catalogue/liquid-level-sensors

Looks like the sensor material is either polysulphone or trogamid, any idea as to whether those are reef safe? I did a little reading and they both sound like temperature- and corrosion-resistant plastics, so seem like they would work.

Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on how this would work out as an ATO switch.

 

[Esquare]

Looks a lot like the sensor on my Tunze ATO. Looking forward to seeing if it works.

 

[d0ughb0y]

I have evaluated this to make sure it will work with my diy controller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231727990883

you have to supply power to it if your controller is not capable of supplying power to IO lines (like apex).
frankly, I really don't see any advantage to using optical over float switch.