LF dosing pump or ATO

[Ghost25]

Anyone have either for sale? Mostly looking for a dosing pump, maybe like the BRS 1.1mL or an all in one.

 

[NewJack]

doser

doser

I have a brand new BRS doser 1.1ml unit. I'll let it go for $50

 

[marioensf]

What type of ATO are you looking at? fancy, diy or don't matter as long as it works...

 

[Ghost25]

What type of ATO are you looking at? fancy, diy or don't matter as long as it works...

Preferably an optical one, I've heard of the float switches getting stuck, plus I'd like to keep it low profile if possible.

I was working on making an Ardunio ATO that uses an ultrasonic sensor to determine the water depth but I haven't worked out the kinks.

 

[d0ughb0y]

I have diy'ed them all. The simpler the better. That being said, the float switch solution is still the best way to go. Just make sure you use one with a slosh guard (the float is enclosed in a container) for the one that is submerged. You can always switch the lower float with an optical one if you really wanted an optical one (the software side works exactly the same).

I have only tried the optical one for a short period of time, and I think salt creep can affect the optical sensor, since the tip must always touch the water surface.

ultrasonic will work, make sure you enclose any metal part, as they will eventually corrode, maybe after a year, sooner if it gets splashed with saltwater. You can use it on the fresh water reservoir to monitor the water level there. Screen shot below is how I implemented it.

 

[Ghost25]

Thanks, I ended up biting the bullet and getting a TUNZE ATO. I plan on using kalk in the ATO so I don't need to get a dosing pump.

 

[johndoe7127]

Thanks, I ended up biting the bullet and getting a TUNZE ATO. I plan on using kalk in the ATO so I don't need to get a dosing pump.

Too much kalk in ATO will kill the pump sooner

 

[edinphilly]

LF dosing pump or ATO

Too much kalk in ATO will kill the pump sooner

I've had one going 18 months at least running saturated kalk in the ato. And the pumps themselves are cheap so keep an extra on hand to be safe if you want.

Bigger problem is the build up on the optical sensor from the kalk residue. Just clean it with vinegar, especially if you'll be gone for a few days. Also try having the ato line feed further from the sensor.

EDIT: build a stand for the ato pump out of pvc or eggcrate so the pump isn't sitting in the kalk sludge


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ghost25]

Thanks guys. The pump replacement is fairly cheap and it's worth it to me to get an ATO and doser in one rather than spending $80 on a cheap doser that might fail in the on position or a really expensive doser and still having to top off manually.

When my kalk comes in I'll definitely keep the pump off the bottom.