Need ATO help..

I have a float valve on my tank and I have no idea what to do with it. I don't understand how ATO really works I need to set it up because I am going on vacation for a week or so. I will post a picture of the float valve and if you guys could help me figure out what else I need to get it hooked up that would be fabulous. Google didn' nt help much on this subject.

 

do you have a pump? and a R/O system or resevoir tank?

 

that is gravity fed. i had one like that on my 55g.
you have to start the siphon yourself. when the water drops it opens the line that screws into that float and it fills it. Mine worked good, but it sucks when you run out of water and you have to restart the siphon everytime.
Dont hook a pump to that btw.

 

It's hard to tell exactly what that is. Speaking as someone who has lost an entire tank due to an ATO malfunction, you need to be careful here. Do not put an ATO solution in place that does not have a robust backup.

I currently use the JBJ ATO solution which works as follows:

- A float switch in the sump is connected to the main unit which has a plug for the pump that pumps fresh water back into the sump.

- When the float drops due to low water level, the float switch triggers the main unit to turn on the pump.

- When the water level rises again and the float rises with it, the pump is turned off.

- The unit has a couple safety features including a variable timeout and the ability to have a second cutoff switch for either the source tank or sump.

 

get a float SWITCH, not a float valve which is what that is..

i just got a cheap float switch off ebay, like 5$ free shipping...then you take a extension cord, seperate the 2 cords from the middle, cut one of the separate cords, then connect the 2 float switch wires the the 2 extension cord wires and tape it all back up, then plug a pump which will be in your ATO bucket and plug the extension cord in... the float switch will kick on the pump when then water level is too low...

my sump was already drilled for a float switch, but to mount it, take some eggcrate, cut a piece that is however long u need it for the float switch to sit in the off position, then zip tie an eggcrate bottom for a base, then jam the float switch between one of the squares in the eggcrate and place it in the return area of the sump..

if you need pictures, i just built on for a buddy, i can take a couple pics for u if needed,, super easy, and only cost 25$ including the aqualifter, float switch, and extension cord(its a short one, like 6ft)

 

That sounds pretty good. I think I saw a you tube video of that one too. I will have to deal with it tomorrow Im too tired to figure it out right now. I'll figure it out tomorrow, I have an extra pump laying around that I use to mix salt water..

 

This will work, but its not going to last. Those float switches will not handle the current draw of the pump starting and will eventually fail in the "on" position and pump your entire top off tank into your sump. If you are going to go with this type of setup you need to use a relay to take the load off of the float switch.

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Well that sucks...

 

Starfish, I believe its BRS that has a diy ATO kit for like 40 bucks. It was one of the big sites, I can't remember which. It comes with a relay and float switch, everything u need except a pump. Aqualifter is like 15 bucks though.

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http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...o-top-off-systems/top-it-off-kit-premium.html

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