? For Apex pros

[jonmf]

I'm looking to add an ATO to my system. I have an Apex but am really tempted just to buy the JBJ complete unit because it'll be up and running in an hour. And I don't know what's all involved in the Apex set up / infrastructure. Just looking for a few opinions on what the best route to go is..

Thanks as always.


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[solitude127]

With the Apex, you can at least monitor the water level. With the JBJ, you're hoping the water level is right when looking at your system online. I have a Break-out-box (BOB) attached to the avast marine ATO and it's great. It uses a pressure sensor so no worries about anything stopping the float switch from going up or down. Also, with a BOB you can have a backup sensor and when the back up sensor is triggered, you can turn your skimmer off, ATO pump off, main pump off etc.

 

[jonmf]

In terms of protection or safety, and remote monitoring, this way of doing it would be best. How difficult is set up / programming?


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[solitude127]

I can give you my code when you have all the components. Or just ask here, I'm sure other people ATO code.

 

[Confuse]

I agree with Mike. You can do so much with the Apex. I have two backup switches and the main ATO switch set up for redundancy. You can't go wrong.

 

[solitude127]

Actually, here's my code.

What I want my ATO to do is when the pressure switch is activated (ATO is the name of the switch), wait 1 minute, then turn ATO1 (outlet name on EB8) on for 10 minutes.

Here's the code for ATO1
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If ATO CLOSED Then ON
If ATO_BU OPEN Then OFF
Defer 001:00 Then ON
Min Time 010:00 Then ON
If Outlet Timer1_ATO = ON Then OFF
If FeedA 000 Then OFF

You also have to have virtual outlet for the timer portion of the code
Here's the virtual outlet code
Set OFF
If Outlet ATO1 = ON Then ON
Defer 010:30 Then ON

Also, if the ATO_BU switch is activated, then it'll turn the ATO pump off.

 

[jonmf]

Thanks guys. So a component list would be:

- Avast Marine ATO

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

- Neptune Break out Box

- 2 switches optional.

Sound about right?

Thanks for the code Mike. This is definitely on my to do list.


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[jonmf]

Could I ask you to paste a link for the switches you used Damian?


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[solitude127]

If you get the avast marine ATO, get the bare wire because it attaches to the BOB.

 

[Confuse]

Here's my code. Currently, I have the Digital Aquatics Float Switches and brackets. One switch is submerged in the water and the other one is upside down so in case the bottom switch gets stuck on, the top switch will float up and shut off the pump.

[ATO PUMP]

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Sw2 CLOSED Then ON (This switch is submerged---when it drops, it turns on the ATO pump)
If Sw1 CLOSED Then OFF (This switch is upside down on top of the bracket = backup--when it rises it turns the ATO pump off)
Defer 000:10 Then ON (Wait ten seconds so it doesn't get triggered on and off continuously by "waves" or turbulence")

If FeedA 000 Then OFF
Defer 010:00 Then ON
If FeedD 000 Then OFF
Defer 010:00 Then ON

This is what I bought.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Digital_...ries-Digital_Aquatics-DA1413-FIDPETAC-vi.html

The bracket is what makes it more expensive. You can always buy the switches by themselves and make your own brackets.

My setup looks like this:

 

[jonmf]

That's really clean.


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[Confuse]

That's really clean.


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By the way, I use an aqualifter pump, so the water gets filled very slowly. That's probably why I don't need too many time statements.

 

[jonmf]

Cool, thanks. What about this, I've been looking into the Neptune Dos dosing system. Could that be incorporated? Think out loud here but the downside would be using one channel on only a two channel system..


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[solitude127]

Cool, thanks. What about this, I've been looking into the Neptune Dos dosing system. Could that be incorporated? Think out loud here but the downside would be using one channel on only a two channel system..


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I don't think the Neptune DOS is meant to dose that much volume.

 

[solitude127]

^^^ got to love spam musubi.

 

[jonmf]

[MENTION=3768]Confuse[/MENTION]

Is this the pump you're using?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-lifter-vacuum-pump.html

 

[solitude127]

[MENTION=3768]Confuse[/MENTION]

Is this the pump you're using?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-lifter-vacuum-pump.html

That's the same pump I use but it's not very strong if your pumping your water over 2ft. The next pump I'll buy is this one.
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/rigging/ATO-Diaphragm-Pump

 

[jonmf]

My reservoir would be the same level as my sump. So very little head.


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[Confuse]

[MENTION=3768]Confuse[/MENTION]

Is this the pump you're using?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-lifter-vacuum-pump.html

Yup. That's it.

 

[Confuse]

And Mike is right. The aqualifter can be weak depending on the application. For me, it works because the pump sits low on my stand. I have an ATO reservoir that's about 36" tall, so it sucks the water up 36" and then drops down another 36" to the floor and passes about three feet of airline on the floor, gets to the pump, and I have the hose hanging from the top of my plumbing (drains) due to the syphon effect (any lower and the pump wouldn't stop pouring water). So it goes up another two feet and then empties into the sump.

If you're gonna have your pump above the ATO, then go with something stronger. I had problems with my aqualifter in my QT where the pump was on top of my ATO and the tank was another 20" above the ATO.

It just depends on your setup....It's the head height that gets you with the aqualifter pump. You can have airline stretched across the room as long as it sits low with no problem, but once you raise the airline, the pump will struggle to push water.