How to use Apex for ATO???

Stolireef · 02/22/2017, 07:48 PM

This is probably a really newbie question (for someone that's been in the hobby for a long time) but how the heck do you set up an Apex for ATO.

Here's what I have.

I have an ATO reservoir for topoff water with a float valve (it's the 10 gallon eShopps one). I also have a 20 gallon saltwater mixing container. I have a 5 stage RO/DI system. I used to use the RO/DI system to do my topoff with a float valve in my sump (bad idea, never again). I also had a bypass to fill my salt mixing container and a float valve there as well (big pain in the tushy). Finally, I have a full Apex setup with 3 EB8's.

Here's what I want to do.

1. I want my Apex to monitor the level in my sump and turn on a pump to top off as appropriate (I don't mind buying a dosing pump for this).
2. I want my Apex to monitor the level in my ATO reservoir and when it's close to empty, refill it.
3. I want my Apex to refill my salt mixing container when I empty it.

I think what I'm missing is a way to hook up some kind of sensor(s) to monitor the water levels in the sump, reservoir and mixing container. I also probably need something to handle the bypass from refilling the ATO to refilling the salt mixer.

Any help for my ignorance will be greatly appreciated and rewarded with several thumbs up emoticons (very valuable compensation).

As always, thanks.

scuzy · 02/22/2017, 07:55 PM

You'll need the breakout box and a few float switches.

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vhuang168 · 02/22/2017, 08:01 PM

The FMM was just released though the level sensors are not. The ATO shouldn't be far behind.

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Stolireef · 02/22/2017, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuzy

You'll need the breakout box and a few float switches.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OK. I'll bite. What is a breakout box and how do I set it up?

scuzy · 02/22/2017, 08:54 PM

Breakout box allows you to add float switches to your apex. So you can detect water level.

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Breadman03 · 02/22/2017, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

OK. I'll bite. What is a breakout box and how do I set it up?

The breakout box plugs into the Apex and has terminals for you to attach wires to. You then use switches that can allow the Apex to determine whether the circuit is open or closed. For ATO, you use one low level float to run the ATO and another float at a higher level that shuts it down .

You can use it for turning on lights when doors are open and many other things.

02/22/2017, 07:48 PM	#1
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	How to use Apex for ATO??? This is probably a really newbie question (for someone that's been in the hobby for a long time) but how the heck do you set up an Apex for ATO. Here's what I have. I have an ATO reservoir for topoff water with a float valve (it's the 10 gallon eShopps one). I also have a 20 gallon saltwater mixing container. I have a 5 stage RO/DI system. I used to use the RO/DI system to do my topoff with a float valve in my sump (bad idea, never again). I also had a bypass to fill my salt mixing container and a float valve there as well (big pain in the tushy). Finally, I have a full Apex setup with 3 EB8's. Here's what I want to do. 1. I want my Apex to monitor the level in my sump and turn on a pump to top off as appropriate (I don't mind buying a dosing pump for this). 2. I want my Apex to monitor the level in my ATO reservoir and when it's close to empty, refill it. 3. I want my Apex to refill my salt mixing container when I empty it. I think what I'm missing is a way to hook up some kind of sensor(s) to monitor the water levels in the sump, reservoir and mixing container. I also probably need something to handle the bypass from refilling the ATO to refilling the salt mixer. Any help for my ignorance will be greatly appreciated and rewarded with several thumbs up emoticons (very valuable compensation). As always, thanks. __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

02/22/2017, 08:01 PM	#3
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	The FMM was just released though the level sensors are not. The ATO shouldn't be far behind. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

02/22/2017, 07:55 PM	#2
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	You'll need the breakout box and a few float switches. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/22/2017, 08:54 PM	#5
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Breakout box allows you to add float switches to your apex. So you can detect water level. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk