[BC29] Where did you install your ATO switches?

[solefald]

After killing my Fire shrimp with a gnarly pH spike caused by adding a bunch of RO water to top-off (instead of adding a little bit every day), I am expediting my ATO setup project and trying to figure out where to install float switches.

 

Seems like the wall bwtween chambers 2 and 3, with switches in chamber 3 is the only place for it.

 

Where did you put yours? What switches did you use? How did you mount it?

 

I found some cheap small ones (better use 2 of those for redundancy)

http://www.aquahub.com/store/ifloatfloatswitch.html

 

Horizontal ones are pretty cool and require no extra mount, but if i install them into the wall between chambers,

it will stick out in chamber 2 and make it hard to remove inTank fuge basket.

http://www.aquahub.com/store/product32.html

 

Another popular one seems to be Madison M8000

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MADISON-S...ontrols-_-2A554

 

 

Does anyone use optical switches? I know salt creep may be an issue with optical ones though.

[GTi]

I just have a JBJ with float sensor and top off hose in chamber 3. As you said it has be chamber 2 or 3 and my 2 has media basket and Tunze skimmer.

[solefald]

I got Apex, so i just need to build a breakout box, get some switches, a pump and a square 3 gallon jug, since I don't have much space in my stand.

 

[GTi]

I got Apex, so i just need to build a breakout box, get some switches, a pump and a square 3 gallon jug, since I don't have much space in my stand.

 

Sounds cool - post how I works out!

[solefald]

Found these but they seem ridiculously expensive...

http://www.fluidswitch.com/pages/OpticalLi...ensorOS-900.htm

 

 

 

Speaking of ATO... are you guys heating up your ATO water or just adding it straight up?

[asting]

If you have an ATO it should be adding only a little at a time so room temp water shouldn't be an issue. Just make sure you plumb the ato into the back chambers so it can mix and adjust the temp.

[solefald]

If you have an ATO it should be adding only a little at a time so room temp water shouldn't be an issue. Just make sure you plumb the ato into the back chambers so it can mix and adjust the temp.

 

yep. the tube will dump water into chamber 3. ill probably install a small vacuum pump with a 1/8" tubing so it does it really slow.

[rO.oster]

I used the Madison M8000, encased it with some PVC endcaps glued cap to cap, and drilled holes in the encloser to let the water in (also a breather hole on top). I made a acrylic j hook shape hanger to hang on the partition between chambers 2 and 3, and zip tied the encased switch to the hanger at the desired height in chamber 3. I need to wire another float switch somehow to act as a shutoff in case the first gets stuck, but its getting pretty tight in chamber 3 (maybe the horizontal can play a role there as its a backup). chamber 1 hasAquaticLife115 Skimmer, 2 has media rack and chaeto. your on the right path, goodluck!

[solefald]

hmm... i think I just found a perfect solution for mounting float switches ( and other things things like probes) in chamber 3!

 

http://www.marinedepot.com/Frag_a_Saurus_R...-FIMTCM-vi.html

 

[rO.oster]

yeah but if that suction cup fails... ? At least for the ATO id hate to have the switch somehow stay on

[RedStang]

hmm... i think I just found a perfect solution for mounting float switches ( and other things things like probes) in chamber 3!

 

http://www.marinedepot.com/Frag_a_Saurus_R...-FIMTCM-vi.html

 

 

Nice find!

 

I used mold-a-holders to mount my floats. Mine are in chamber 3. I used some flex tube to protect the wiring and sealed it with superglue. No heater for the ATO as another said the volume isn't enough to worry about.

 

With the apex remember that you want the switch to open to turn off the ATO. Switches rarely fail closed. Also, I use 2 switches so that I have a back up and then I have a switch in the reservoir in case it runs low.