ATO pressure sensors with Apex

blakecorcoran · 01/29/2012, 12:48 PM

I am still planning an aquarium build, but I'm making progress and Miracles is building my aquarium. I'm am planning to buy a Neptune Apex and I would like to automate top-off and maybe water changes. Since I can just plug switches into the breakout box, I'm not planning on getting a whole set-up like the Spectrapure ATO system. However, I like how they use the pressure sensor + float switches. Can I use pressure sensors with the breakout box like I can with float switches? Any recommendations on where to buy pressure sensors?

Thank you!

michael_in_nc · 01/29/2012, 08:19 PM

I have a Neptune Apex and use the regular float switches (reed style). All of them are "Madison" brand. AutoTopOff.com is a good place to buy such things. I've always had good luck with them. They have solenoids too which I use on my ATO since it's gravity fed. The pressure switches look nice and I have one on a skimmer locker (Davey Jones from Avast) but I have had some issues with it. Probably my connection or programming. I think that you can buy the pressure switches from them (very expensive if I remember correctly, like 4-5x a reed switch), but you can buy the bare switch from DigiKey.

Go Mizzou. I grew up about 45min from Columbia.

Mark Bianco · 01/29/2012, 11:01 PM

I have searched the internet to find a pressre switch the is both reef safe and a uses a dry contact switch without any luck. Most sensors have a brass ports that the liquid passes thru. Not good for a saltwater tank and the other problem is they output a + - 5 volt signal the Apex can not read this it only works with a dry contact signal. If you do find any sensor PLEASE let me know I would love to do some return pump monitoring..

Mark

Plato · 01/30/2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Bianco

I have searched the internet to find a pressre switch the is both reef safe and a uses a dry contact switch without any luck. Most sensors have a brass ports that the liquid passes thru. Not good for a saltwater tank and the other problem is they output a + - 5 volt signal the Apex can not read this it only works with a dry contact signal. If you do find any sensor PLEASE let me know I would love to do some return pump monitoring..

Mark

I'll get you the manufactures contac info when I get home. They are the pressure switches used in Spectrapures LLC units (http://www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p1.htm) and in the Davie Jones Locker by Avast. It is about 15.00. The switch stays dry not contact to the water. It is what I use instead of a float switch. It lets my sump drop about one to two inches then the ro comes on, as with a flote switch it would only drop 1/2" so less salt creep on the ro unit plus float switches like to stick every once in a while.

blakecorcoran · 01/31/2012, 06:03 PM

Great. Thanks for the info.

@Plato, that's the switch I was looking for. I'll look forward to the manufacturer's info. Thank you.

Plato · 02/01/2012, 08:47 PM

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. http://designflexswitches.com/switches/psf103.php
This is the link to the manufacture. The part number used in the float switch is PSF103. The pressure port/cover option is 01 (down near bottom) I personally use 14 with the quick connect for 1/4 John Guest fittings. I like the security of ploy tube and a positive seal. They will send you a free sample by the way. http://designflexswitches.com/switches/freeswitch.php

blakecorcoran · 02/06/2012, 09:54 AM

No, worries. Thanks for the reply. I just ordered a sample. Did it come with the plastic cylinder that you place in the water?

BeanAnimal · 02/06/2012, 10:45 AM

Just a thought... but this subject appears to be getting very popular in the DIY threads. Please don't abuse the "free sample" system that most electronics and electro-mechanical manufacturers have in place. They are not setup to hand out "free" product to hobbyists, they are setup to get technology into the hands of prospective large volume purchasers! If you have to stretch the truth (state or infer production purchase intentions) when asking for a "sample" then the sample was not meant for you. If you admit your intention (to get free product as a hobbyist) and they still offer it, then go for it.

Plato · 02/06/2012, 12:37 PM

I did not thank about that, good point. I usuall get 30 to 50 units from them at a time so I see how they could be taken advantage of. Yes, if you only need one then pay them as that is fare and there cheap like 15$.

blakecorcoran · 02/07/2012, 11:30 AM

Well, although I hadn't read your posts yet, I followed your advice, Bean. They asked my intent, I reluctantly admitted it was for hobby, and they couldn't offer a free one. However, Global Industrial Products, Inc has been very helpful with my questions. I'm looking at $17.23 for a single pressure switch (9141-010) for detecting level changes of 0.5-2.0''. That's not bad. I would still need to add some sort of plastic component to place in the liquid and attach this to the switch to keep the switch away from water (like the SpectraPure version). Plato, what do you attach to the switch?

BowieReefer84 · 02/07/2012, 11:34 AM

What about this? http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...ng/Top-off-Kit

MTWiley · 02/07/2012, 02:50 PM

That would work Bowie but its considerably more expensive than the pressure switch previously mentioned in this thread coupled with a few inches of PVC,a PVC cap, a hose barb and a foot or two of tubing to connect it all together.

blakecorcoran · 02/08/2012, 09:41 PM

I think I'll try that. I'm interested in seeing how the pressure switch would compare to a traditional float. I'll set both up when I get this thing going.

MTWiley · 02/09/2012, 12:05 AM

The pressure sensors tend to be more resilient and less prone to failure

Tigé21v · 12/19/2016, 06:39 AM

Hate to dig up an old thread, but surprisingly there doesn't seem a whole lot of info on this subject on RC or other forums.
I'm getting ready to set an auto water change system thru my Apex using DOS pumps and a 55 gallon drum to hold the new water. I'd like to add a switch to remind me that my reservoir is getting low, say when 5 gallons are left. I would really rather not drill through drum to add a float valve.
I'd like to know if anyone has a link to a sensor that would work with an Apex breakout box. Or, what specs I'll need to look for when choosing one. Will I need to take into account the depth of the barrel and the extra pressure put on the switch because of the depth?
TIA

01/29/2012, 12:48 PM	#1
blakecorcoran Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 34	ATO pressure sensors with Apex I am still planning an aquarium build, but I'm making progress and Miracles is building my aquarium. I'm am planning to buy a Neptune Apex and I would like to automate top-off and maybe water changes. Since I can just plug switches into the breakout box, I'm not planning on getting a whole set-up like the Spectrapure ATO system. However, I like how they use the pressure sensor + float switches. Can I use pressure sensors with the breakout box like I can with float switches? Any recommendations on where to buy pressure sensors? Thank you! __________________ 65G Miracles DT (establishing), 20G sump/fuge/DSB, DIY LEDs (on the to do list), Neptune Apex (not working)...I have a lot of work to do.

01/31/2012, 06:03 PM	#5
blakecorcoran Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 34	Great. Thanks for the info. @Plato, that's the switch I was looking for. I'll look forward to the manufacturer's info. Thank you. __________________ 65G Miracles DT (establishing), 20G sump/fuge/DSB, DIY LEDs (on the to do list), Neptune Apex (not working)...I have a lot of work to do.

02/01/2012, 08:47 PM	#6
Plato Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NC Posts: 638	Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. http://designflexswitches.com/switches/psf103.php This is the link to the manufacture. The part number used in the float switch is PSF103. The pressure port/cover option is 01 (down near bottom) I personally use 14 with the quick connect for 1/4 John Guest fittings. I like the security of ploy tube and a positive seal. They will send you a free sample by the way. http://designflexswitches.com/switches/freeswitch.php __________________ Genesis 2:28 God blessed them and said to them,"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Current Tank Info: 275 starphire, 3 x 400 watt MH + 4 x 80 watt T5's, 2 x MP 60 + 2 x MP 40, Orca 250 skimmer, CADS filter head (SeaVisions), ProCal Ca reactor, GHL controlled.

02/06/2012, 09:54 AM	#7
blakecorcoran Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 34	No, worries. Thanks for the reply. I just ordered a sample. Did it come with the plastic cylinder that you place in the water? __________________ 65G Miracles DT (establishing), 20G sump/fuge/DSB, DIY LEDs (on the to do list), Neptune Apex (not working)...I have a lot of work to do.

02/06/2012, 12:37 PM	#9
Plato Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NC Posts: 638	I did not thank about that, good point. I usuall get 30 to 50 units from them at a time so I see how they could be taken advantage of. Yes, if you only need one then pay them as that is fare and there cheap like 15$. __________________ Genesis 2:28 God blessed them and said to them,"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Current Tank Info: 275 starphire, 3 x 400 watt MH + 4 x 80 watt T5's, 2 x MP 60 + 2 x MP 40, Orca 250 skimmer, CADS filter head (SeaVisions), ProCal Ca reactor, GHL controlled.

01/29/2012, 08:19 PM	#2
michael_in_nc Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: NC Posts: 419	I have a Neptune Apex and use the regular float switches (reed style). All of them are "Madison" brand. AutoTopOff.com is a good place to buy such things. I've always had good luck with them. They have solenoids too which I use on my ATO since it's gravity fed. The pressure switches look nice and I have one on a skimmer locker (Davey Jones from Avast) but I have had some issues with it. Probably my connection or programming. I think that you can buy the pressure switches from them (very expensive if I remember correctly, like 4-5x a reed switch), but you can buy the bare switch from DigiKey. Go Mizzou. I grew up about 45min from Columbia.

01/29/2012, 11:01 PM	#3
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	I have searched the internet to find a pressre switch the is both reef safe and a uses a dry contact switch without any luck. Most sensors have a brass ports that the liquid passes thru. Not good for a saltwater tank and the other problem is they output a + - 5 volt signal the Apex can not read this it only works with a dry contact signal. If you do find any sensor PLEASE let me know I would love to do some return pump monitoring.. Mark

02/06/2012, 10:45 AM	#8
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Just a thought... but this subject appears to be getting very popular in the DIY threads. Please don't abuse the "free sample" system that most electronics and electro-mechanical manufacturers have in place. They are not setup to hand out "free" product to hobbyists, they are setup to get technology into the hands of prospective large volume purchasers! If you have to stretch the truth (state or infer production purchase intentions) when asking for a "sample" then the sample was not meant for you. If you admit your intention (to get free product as a hobbyist) and they still offer it, then go for it.

02/07/2012, 11:30 AM	#10
blakecorcoran Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 34	Well, although I hadn't read your posts yet, I followed your advice, Bean. They asked my intent, I reluctantly admitted it was for hobby, and they couldn't offer a free one. However, Global Industrial Products, Inc has been very helpful with my questions. I'm looking at $17.23 for a single pressure switch (9141-010) for detecting level changes of 0.5-2.0''. That's not bad. I would still need to add some sort of plastic component to place in the liquid and attach this to the switch to keep the switch away from water (like the SpectraPure version). Plato, what do you attach to the switch?

02/07/2012, 11:34 AM	#11
BowieReefer84 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Maryland, 21075 Posts: 409	What about this? http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...ng/Top-off-Kit

02/07/2012, 02:50 PM	#12
MTWiley Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kansas City Metro Posts: 273	That would work Bowie but its considerably more expensive than the pressure switch previously mentioned in this thread coupled with a few inches of PVC,a PVC cap, a hose barb and a foot or two of tubing to connect it all together.

02/08/2012, 09:41 PM	#13
blakecorcoran Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 34	I think I'll try that. I'm interested in seeing how the pressure switch would compare to a traditional float. I'll set both up when I get this thing going. __________________ 65G Miracles DT (establishing), 20G sump/fuge/DSB, DIY LEDs (on the to do list), Neptune Apex (not working)...I have a lot of work to do.

02/09/2012, 12:05 AM	#14
MTWiley Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kansas City Metro Posts: 273	The pressure sensors tend to be more resilient and less prone to failure

12/19/2016, 06:39 AM	#15
Tigé21v Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 1,369	Hate to dig up an old thread, but surprisingly there doesn't seem a whole lot of info on this subject on RC or other forums. I'm getting ready to set an auto water change system thru my Apex using DOS pumps and a 55 gallon drum to hold the new water. I'd like to add a switch to remind me that my reservoir is getting low, say when 5 gallons are left. I would really rather not drill through drum to add a float valve. I'd like to know if anyone has a link to a sensor that would work with an Apex breakout box. Or, what specs I'll need to look for when choosing one. Will I need to take into account the depth of the barrel and the extra pressure put on the switch because of the depth? TIA