Need help choosing ATO system for apex

Jyetman · 03/13/2014, 08:06 PM

So my tank doesn't have a sump and I'm limited fastening bulky float systems thinking a magnetic ATO is best but most like tunze osmolator sell kits with the pump included and cost $200 or more. What options do I have hooking up a doable ATO to my apex already have a pump in the bucket ready to go.

Reefahholic · 03/13/2014, 09:52 PM

Breakout box...

Put a float switch in your DT and program it and the pump in your bucket.

Done!

MrMatt83 · 03/13/2014, 10:42 PM

Check out the Avast marine ato. It uses a pressure switch not float switches, and can connect directly to apex I/O port.

ElmoC · 03/14/2014, 09:16 AM

Check out the Autoaqua Smart ATO. $150 and includes everything. Working on a circuit that will detect when the pump turns on and feeding it to the Apex to monitor. Redundant backup that can shut off the ATO if it runs too long. Also will allow logging of when it runs and for how long.

MrMatt83 · 03/14/2014, 11:51 PM

Hydor also makes a interesting looking ato called the smart level that uses temperature variations to determine water level. Not direct connect to apex but could plug into a outlet and be monitored

ElmoC · 03/15/2014, 05:14 AM

How would you monitor it by just plugging into the energy bar?

Mark426 · 03/15/2014, 08:32 AM

Tunze is my choice for the tank you have. Any float based system I have seen is unsightly and don't trust them in a tank anyway. Float systems are fine in a r/o tank without snails, fish and algae. ....but not in a display. My two cents.

MrMatt83 · 03/15/2014, 09:20 AM

Yeah plug it into the energy bar

E Rosewater · 03/15/2014, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMatt83

Check out the Avast marine ato. It uses a pressure switch not float switches, and can connect directly to apex I/O port.

I use the avast marine switch with a aqua lifter pump

MrMatt83 · 03/15/2014, 09:22 AM

Oh sorry. Monitor ie control on off time of the ato for redundancy and be able to swith off outlet via web

hkgar · 03/15/2014, 12:14 PM

Avast Marine is the only way to go. There are certainly other choices, but this is definitely the best of the options.

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...ng/Top-off-Kit

Jyetman · 03/15/2014, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Avast Marine is the only way to go. There are certainly other choices, but this is definitely the best of the options.

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...ng/Top-off-Kit

Seems bulky how big is it? I have no sump so how will that fit and mount in my acrylic tank with a molded top?

MrMatt83 · 03/15/2014, 07:43 PM

Would you be comfortable drilling a hole in the top of the tank? If so, the pressure switch is just a tube you could drop through the hole. You can buy it without the mounting bracket, I think its $25 less.

MrMatt83 · 03/15/2014, 08:06 PM

Just to be clear once you get the pressure switch in the tank yud have to rig something up to hold it at the height you want it, but I don't think it would be too difficult. You also need a place to run the tube from the pump to add water.

Jyetman · 03/15/2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMatt83

Just to be clear once you get the pressure switch in the tank yud have to rig something up to hold it at the height you want it, but I don't think it would be too difficult. You also need a place to run the tube from the pump to add water.

I already have a pump and hose fastened to my tank which I top off manually when needed. So I see it has apex compatible IO plug is this cheaper then the posted $89 price the website doesn't say? What diameter is the hole need to be and what all is included just a tube and a wire cable that plugs directly into apex?

Jyetman · 03/15/2014, 08:51 PM

Another question I have with Avast marine ATO is why do they offer a backup float? If they are so confident with the pressure tube design why are they offering the float as a backup?

MrMatt83 · 03/15/2014, 09:54 PM

I would email avast marine they have good customer service, got back with me in less then 24 hours. As far as the back up float switch, can you have too much piece of mind when it comes to ATO?

hkgar · 03/16/2014, 08:38 AM

The pressure switch tube is 1/2 inch in diameter. The assembly is held in place with a magnet and the float valve safety switch is not necessary - they have a model that comes with out it, which is what I have. Here is a picture of mine in my sump. The large white circle is the magnet and on the left is the pressure switch. On the right is the tube that is connected to my ATO pump. Between the two is another holder that you could use for a PH or similar probe. The larger white tube on the right is the plumbing from my return pump.

ariel47 · 03/16/2014, 11:47 AM

I also use the avast deluxe ATO, and love it. Can't wait to get 1 for my freshwater tank.

03/13/2014, 08:06 PM	#1
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	Need help choosing ATO system for apex So my tank doesn't have a sump and I'm limited fastening bulky float systems thinking a magnetic ATO is best but most like tunze osmolator sell kits with the pump included and cost $200 or more. What options do I have hooking up a doable ATO to my apex already have a pump in the bucket ready to go.

03/15/2014, 12:14 PM	#11
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Avast Marine is the only way to go. There are certainly other choices, but this is definitely the best of the options. http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...ng/Top-off-Kit __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/16/2014, 08:38 AM	#18
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	The pressure switch tube is 1/2 inch in diameter. The assembly is held in place with a magnet and the float valve safety switch is not necessary - they have a model that comes with out it, which is what I have. Here is a picture of mine in my sump. The large white circle is the magnet and on the left is the pressure switch. On the right is the tube that is connected to my ATO pump. Between the two is another holder that you could use for a PH or similar probe. The larger white tube on the right is the plumbing from my return pump. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/13/2014, 09:52 PM	#2
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Breakout box... Put a float switch in your DT and program it and the pump in your bucket. Done!

03/13/2014, 10:42 PM	#3
MrMatt83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Check out the Avast marine ato. It uses a pressure switch not float switches, and can connect directly to apex I/O port.

03/14/2014, 09:16 AM	#4
ElmoC Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 93	Check out the Autoaqua Smart ATO. $150 and includes everything. Working on a circuit that will detect when the pump turns on and feeding it to the Apex to monitor. Redundant backup that can shut off the ATO if it runs too long. Also will allow logging of when it runs and for how long.

03/14/2014, 11:51 PM	#5
MrMatt83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Hydor also makes a interesting looking ato called the smart level that uses temperature variations to determine water level. Not direct connect to apex but could plug into a outlet and be monitored

03/15/2014, 05:14 AM	#6
ElmoC Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 93	How would you monitor it by just plugging into the energy bar?

03/15/2014, 08:32 AM	#7
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	Tunze is my choice for the tank you have. Any float based system I have seen is unsightly and don't trust them in a tank anyway. Float systems are fine in a r/o tank without snails, fish and algae. ....but not in a display. My two cents.

03/15/2014, 09:20 AM	#8
MrMatt83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Yeah plug it into the energy bar

03/15/2014, 09:22 AM	#10
MrMatt83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Oh sorry. Monitor ie control on off time of the ato for redundancy and be able to swith off outlet via web

03/15/2014, 07:43 PM	#13
MrMatt83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Would you be comfortable drilling a hole in the top of the tank? If so, the pressure switch is just a tube you could drop through the hole. You can buy it without the mounting bracket, I think its $25 less.

03/15/2014, 08:06 PM	#14
MrMatt83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	Just to be clear once you get the pressure switch in the tank yud have to rig something up to hold it at the height you want it, but I don't think it would be too difficult. You also need a place to run the tube from the pump to add water.

03/15/2014, 08:51 PM	#16
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	Another question I have with Avast marine ATO is why do they offer a backup float? If they are so confident with the pressure tube design why are they offering the float as a backup?

03/15/2014, 09:54 PM	#17
MrMatt83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 63	I would email avast marine they have good customer service, got back with me in less then 24 hours. As far as the back up float switch, can you have too much piece of mind when it comes to ATO?

03/16/2014, 11:47 AM	#19
ariel47 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ms Posts: 638	I also use the avast deluxe ATO, and love it. Can't wait to get 1 for my freshwater tank.