Setting up ATO on Reefer 450

[tnc112105]

I think it may be time to start thinking about installing an ATO on my Reefer 450.

The Reefers come with the integrated gravity-fed ATO, but the smallish reservoir still makes top-off a “chore”, especially in summertime.

I am considering the Tunze Osmolator, but despite all the safety features it has, the idea of flooding out my tank/house in the event of a failure is freaking me out and preventing me from doing it. Most reviews are positive, but I am a worry wart.

I have an APEX. Could I hook up the ATO to the apex and set the outlet to only run for say 5 minutes, twice a day? Does the osmolator sense/refill immediately upon gaining power? Is this possible? Or overkill?

 

[AcanthurusRex]

You could keep the float valve in place just in case the Tunze failed on.

 

[Robert_ellis]

If you only have 5g in your ato reservoir, I doubt you would over fill your sump with that. I wouldnt worry honestly.

 

[cmcoker]

I use a GHL profilux controller, with a float switch and aqualifter pump. I have the max run time set to 7 minutes, if it tries to run longer it shuts off the pump outlet and sends me an alert.

I assume the apex could be programmed for something similar, but not sure since I haven't ever used one.

This keeps my pump from running dry for more than a few minutes if I forget to refill and limits the amount of water it could dump in at once.

 

[bar|none]

I have a reefer 170 and use my apex with a dose pump to do ato. I added the fmm module and an optical high level sensor. Its quite easy. You setup dos to dos just more than your daily ato needs. Then use the optical sensor to stop fill if at high water mark. Even if high water sensor fails, it would take days to overflow. There is one line of apex code needed to stop the ato if sensor is closed. Basically “if highw then off”

With dose you can also spread out the ato dosing over multiple small changes a day.

I detailed this im my build thread but can elaborate more if needed. Fmm module allows up to 4 sensors so could also add a low water sensor.

Now that i have that, Im going to modify my former ato tank in the reefer to be an extended sump area. Bonus!

Oh and I use a ten gallon reservoir behind the cabinet.

 

[Tastee]

I have an RSR 250 and use the Neptune ATK to fill the stock ATO from a remote RODI reservoir once a day. I also run a low level optical switch in the sump to alert me if the ATO float valve gums up. Works a treat and I have not had to touch the ATO for nearly a year now except to clean the float every 6 weeks or so.