I need mounting options for a float switch for my ATO

[oseymour]

Hey all,

I have a custom ATO from Advanced Acrylics, the ATO I have looks like this but has some custom dimensions - http://advancedacrylics.com/collections/auto-top-off/products/black-9-gal-auto-top-off-new-design

How would I go about mounting a float switch inside so I can monitor water levels? Maybe something magnetic?

I want to know when my ATO is running low.

 

[mcgyvr]

What skillz do you have?

Scrap piece of acrylic glued inside down low with a hole for a typical float.. Piece of tubing going all the way down around the wires and over the top of the float threads to prevent any issues with the factory seal leaking due to being submerged.

or
Pressure based ATO sensor/tube..

 

[oseymour]

What skillz do you have?

Scrap piece of acrylic glued inside down low with a hole for a typical float.. Piece of tubing going all the way down around the wires and over the top of the float threads to prevent any issues with the factory seal leaking due to being submerged.

or
Pressure based ATO sensor/tube..

No skills and I'd rather purchase a solution that build something.

I was thinking about the float switch area of the Tunze ATO. Could that float be connected to an Apex breakout box?


My tank - a Red Sea Reefer 350 - Build Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2555495

 

[mcgyvr]

yeah seems tunze has a magnetic ATO float mount and sure it could be attached to the Apex..
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/tunze-osmolator-magnet-holder.html

 

[Bent]

Which float switch is it specifically?

 

[Bent]

If it's a regular switch marine depot has one with an integrated magnet mount.

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/md8145/float-switch-w-magnetic-mounting-bracket-for-auto-top-off

 

[oseymour]

If it's a regular switch marine depot has one with an integrated magnet mount.

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/md8145/float-switch-w-magnetic-mounting-bracket-for-auto-top-off

That's exactly what I was looking for! How do I extend the wire? I think these wire might be too short.


My tank - a Red Sea Reefer 350 - Build Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2555495

 

[Bent]

That's exactly what I was looking for! How do I extend the wire? I think these wire might be too short.


My tank - a Red Sea Reefer 350 - Build Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2555495

should be easy to do. Just get some electrical wire from a lamp or something that you don't need or an old AC adapter, cut it off, use a couple of wire caps, and stick it on the switch.

it doesn't matter how thick the wire is, those switches don't use hardly any current to operate.

 

[slief]

I mount all my floats to magnetic glass scrubbers. It makes adjusting sump levels easy and works like a charm.

Redundant ATO floats.

Fail safe floats for sump too high and sump too low.

 

[SeattleReefer]

I mount all my floats to magnetic glass scrubbers. It makes adjusting sump levels easy and works like a charm.

what a great idea! How did you affix the switch, silicon?

 

[slief]

what a great idea! How did you affix the switch, silicon?

Epoxy. The Reef Fanatic switches I use include a nice little bracket that I epoxy to the magnets and then snap the float switch onto the bracket.

 

[Bent]

That's a great idea.

 

[azjohnny]

I have a Spectrapure UPLC-II for a ATO and I don't trust the suction cup they have for the pressure tube, I bought a Tunze magnet and siliconed the pressure tube to the magnet. The Tunze was overkill for what I needed but I wanted to make sure it wasn't coming off

 

[oseymour]

Epoxy. The Reef Fanatic switches I use include a nice little bracket that I epoxy to the magnets and then snap the float switch onto the bracket.

Where can I purchase these? Their website is outdated.

 

[mikeatjac]

http://www.modernaquatix.com/reef-fanatic-replacement-float-switch/

That is where I got mine. I copied Scott's idea and love it.

 

[slief]

Where can I purchase these? Their website is outdated.

I get them from Premium Aquatics.
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/level-controller-repl-float-sensor-kit.html

http://www.modernaquatix.com/reef-fanatic-replacement-float-switch/

That is where I got mine. I copied Scott's idea and love it.

:beer:

 

[Johnic]

I setup a system that lets me know what levels are happening in ato. I also had a sump made by John.
The floats trigger a lighting system that quickly lets me know what level the ato is at.
Each float is wired to a cat6 cable that plugs into a cat 6 receptacle so I can unplug it to fix if nessasary.