Apex for ATO

[Mike Arnold]

My JBJ ATO controller started failing on me; it just stopped turning the pump on. I tried a few things to get it to work, including adjusting the time; but, nothing seemed to work.

I was getting ready to order the Tunze Osmolator, but decided to take advantage of my Apex EB8 and i/o breakout box. I connected the float switch to the i/o box, plugged the aqualifter into port 8 of the EB8 and programmed the port.

This ATO configuration works great; however, because of the low powered aqualifter, I had to use port 8 on my EB8. Ports 4 and 8 are mechanical switches and make a clicking sound evert time the pump is triggered; I'm not too concerned with the clicking, but wondering how many times it will switch before it fails.

Is it a good idea to use the Apex for ATO, or should I go ahead and order the Tunze Osmolator? Does anyone know if the mechanical ports have a lifetime rating?

 

[tvu]

Have you checked the floats on the JBJ? Seems they need to be replaced every few yrs. you can get generics and splice them into existing connector cable. I have 3 sets of JBJ ATO.

 

[zoomonster]

Tunze 3155 for me and Apex is just used for ATO power on/off/feed. Do yourself a favor and don't improvise or cheap out on an ATO. Just so many fail safes on Tunze. Trust me I wiped a tank years ago with a cheap ATO. Remember that when EB8 outlets fail they have a tendency to do so in the on position. I always preach redundant control for heaters and ATO. The two most likely to cause a tank wipe.

 

[ngvu1]

I am doing the same thing, using the float switches and the BoB for ATO. I do have defer 10 mins so the outlet does not switch on and off so often. I have it a few times a day. However, it would suck if the outlet decides to get stuck on.......!

 

[Mike Arnold]

Have you checked the floats on the JBJ? Seems they need to be replaced every few yrs. you can get generics and splice them into existing connector cable. I have 3 sets of JBJ ATO.

Now that you mention it, I bet that is what the issue is. When I switched to the Apex, I just cut the connector of the float switch and wired it to the BoB, but couldn't get it to work; I ended up using spare float switch that I had. In hind sight, it looks like the float switch was the issue not the JBJ controller. That is good to know. Thanks

 

[Mike Arnold]

I am doing the same thing, using the float switches and the BoB for ATO. I do have defer 10 mins so the outlet does not switch on and off so often. I have it a few times a day. However, it would suck if the outlet decides to get stuck on.......!

Yea, I wonder if there are any reported cases of it failing on. Here's my config; I didn't use a defer command, but I think this time command accomplishes the same goal:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Sw3 OPEN Then ON
Min Time 015:00 Then OFF
If pH > 9.00 Then OFF

 

[Mike Arnold]

Tunze 3155 for me and Apex is just used for ATO power on/off/feed. Do yourself a favor and don't improvise or cheap out on an ATO. Just so many fail safes on Tunze. Trust me I wiped a tank years ago with a cheap ATO. Remember that when EB8 outlets fail they have a tendency to do so in the on position. I always preach redundant control for heaters and ATO. The two most likely to cause a tank wipe.

yes, I agree, I'll probably go ahead and order the Tunze. I was just wondering if using the Apex was considered to be a good practice.

I was kind lucky this time. I was out of town on a business trip and I got the low water level alert; however, it was after 11:00pm and my wife was in bed and didn't respond to my txt until the next morning. It looks like the only thing that was affected was my bird's nest. It started bleaching; I'm not sure if it will recover at this point.

 

[tvu]

That's why the JBJ has a safety feature to stop the pump at a certain time limit and why I continue to use them

 

[sevens]

Put a small power head (cheap) into the ATO container then you can use a triod outlet no problem. Have two floats one for control and one HIGH float to shut the ATO off in case control float fails. You can also create a virtual outlet to put a max run time in. Lots of back ups this way two years knock on wood. One float failure but no panic the apex timed it out and texted me.

 

[DVR]

Put a small power head (cheap) into the ATO container then you can use a triod outlet no problem. Have two floats one for control and one HIGH float to shut the ATO off in case control float fails. You can also create a virtual outlet to put a max run time in. Lots of back ups this way two years knock on wood. One float failure but no panic the apex timed it out and texted me.

What is the minimum wattage that the triod outlet will operate reliably on. I have my small ato powerhead plugged into outlet 4 because I am thinking it is still too low wattage.

 

[sevens]

I have a Toms pump and small 100gph pump that are on one Troid and have never had a problem. Toms pump send to the sump and the small pump just moves the water in the ATO.

 

[Clarksski]

Since your gonna buy a new one...Have you checked out Avast ato? Mine plugs into the digital I/0 switch on my apex ( you can also wire to BOB, if that's how you want to do it. Just specify when you order) and
a magnet mounted pressure sensitive tube. When activated, it uses a peristaltic pump to top off the system. Couldn't be simpler or safer.