ATO

intarsiabox · #1 12-18-2010, 12:32 AM

Wayne,

If you're not looking to spend a lot, check out Autotopoff.com. I've heard good things about their products but no personal experience to attest to.

Wayne · #2 12-18-2010, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

All of the all-in-one controllers (Neptune, Profilux, Digital Aquatics, etc) can do ATO as well with the additon of a float switch and pump. Or for about $20 you can buy a float valve and some 1/4" tube from Home Depot and rig up a gravit fed one. Seach on this site and you'll find some more ideas.

This is something that I am considering, but at this time I don't think its going to be possible. On my next tank I will invest in a system just so its less maintenance

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

You can set the maximum time the pump will run to prevent an overflow in the case of a stuck switch. If you can set up a gravity feed it is the simplest system. I ran that for 4 years without any problems even though I had a controller. I've only just started using the ATO with the Profilux on my new cube because it is sump-less.

Unfortunatly I have no room in my stand for a bottle. Especially if I every put a reactor in there

. I do like the idea because even if it "fails" its only going to dump a certain amount of water in and no more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Wayne,

If you're not looking to spend a lot, check out Autotopoff.com. I've heard good things about their products but no personal experience to attest to.

I like the simplicity of the system... But on the other hand I do like dry floors, is one float switch enough of a safety?

Bloodasp · #3 12-18-2010, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne

I like the simplicity of the system... But on the other hand I do like dry floors, is one float switch enough of a safety?

I would still use 2 for redundancy.
I have DIY'ed a similar one but bought the float switches off ebay and the rest were stuff I had lying around. It has been a little over a year and so far so good no failures yet nor has it ever tripped the second float switch.

Wayne · #4 12-18-2010, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloodasp

I would still use 2 for redundancy.
I have DIY'ed a similar one but bought the float switches off ebay and the rest were stuff I had lying around. It has been a little over a year and so far so good no failures yet nor has it ever tripped the second float switch.

"Redundany" in this case that means dry floors! I like that word

Do you have 2 "max water" switches? Or is it like the BWI/Autotopoff one with 1 fail safe float?

intarsiabox · #5 12-18-2010, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne

"Redundany" in this case that means dry floors! I like that word

Do you have 2 "max water" switches? Or is it like the BWI/Autotopoff one with 1 fail safe float?

Either way one float has to be higher than the other and they both have to be wired to the pump to tell it when to turn on/off. If you set both floats at exactly the same height how would you know if one wasn't working?

Bloodasp · #6 12-18-2010, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Either way one float has to be higher than the other and they both have to be wired to the pump to tell it when to turn on/off. If you set both floats at exactly the same height how would you know if one wasn't working?

Yup this is the way I have it set up.

Wayne · #7 12-18-2010, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Either way one float has to be higher than the other and they both have to be wired to the pump to tell it when to turn on/off. If you set both floats at exactly the same height how would you know if one wasn't working?

LOL Jeff! I ment having 3 with each on top of each other. Which thinking more about it would be overkill

Bloodasp · #8 12-18-2010, 05:48 AM

I don't see any disadvantage of having 3 switches there. I guess the biggest issue with adding so many failsafes are space and cost but switches costs only roughly $2.00 each so if it helps you sleep better and not worry about flooding your floor adding a third level of safety does not hurt.

intarsiabox · #9 12-18-2010, 03:39 AM

The Double Switch Controller at autotopoff.com has a main float switch and then an emergency float switch set a little higher in the event that the first one fails. Not a bad set up for $50.

Douglas · #10 12-18-2010, 03:04 PM

Wayne, I use this one. It has never failed me yet.

http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/tsuna...tem-p-840.html

Along with a Aqua lifter Pump, and a water container of some type, and some hose.

http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/aqua-...ump-p-844.html

http://www.bluelineaquatics.com/prod...tem/index.html

Just another option. Doug