ATO using a timer?

I have never used a timer for an ATO. You want a float switch or pressure switch to activate your ato.

 

I bought the DIY ATO from Bulk reef supply. It works great and was very easy.

 

I would go the float switch route. Or you could measure your daily evap and set a perastalic pump to match it. The downside is evap is dependent on lots of variable, environmental factors making predetermined ato doses unreliable. I think an aqua-lifter and simple float valve wouldn't run you much more than 30 bucks.

 

Here is the link i have. Have them on 2 of my tanks and they work great with a aqua-lifter.

 

what if you have very little evap and and your ato kicks in and floods your mt with fresh water? or you have a ton of evap one day and you dont run it long enough and end up burning your pump up? A timer is not the way to go for an ATO.

The switch I use is called the tsunami. It is a pressure switch and it cost me like $50

http://www.aquacave.com/Tsunami-AT-1-Auto-Top-Off-System-ATO-P214C874.aspx

 

It could be done, but probably wouldn't be wise and wouldn't be very "automatic" as you would still be constantly adjusting for small changes in the rate of evaporation depending on the weather conditions.  One malfunction (timer getting stuck, or dosing too much) would not be worth the $60 for an actual top-off system.
Using the float switch method (with a back up float switch) has been very successful for most people. $60 gets you the double float switch with snail guards at autotopoff.com: http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/
I have the same unit and it has worked flawlessly for years now.  Another word of advice would be to make sure the water output line is not submerged in the tank so that it doesn't back siphon on you.

 

The best pump to use is a Aqua lifter dosing pump($20) a 5gal bucket and some float switches. I set up mine ATO system this way. I think I showed it to you when You came over.It coast around 50 bucks or so.. It takes a while to build. Just do a Search on Youtube on Aqualifter ATO systems.

I have a Float in my Sump on return side and one in my 5 gal bucket. When the Float calls for some water the 5 gallon float must be activated in order for the sump float to turn Pump on. If 5gal water is to low then the sump float will not activate anything until I add more water to 5 gallon bucket. Very simple and very easy, but you must make sure you know the pro's and con's of this system.

Thanks

 

+1 on autotopoff.com

 

I've been using a gravity fed float valve for the last 8 months. Including the reservoir container, I think I have about $22 in it and it works great.

 

Yes I have seen these too. Good suggestion. Any Ideas to share on how you built it or info on where you learned to build one?

 

A simple float valve is installed through the wall of your sump. If you do not want to drill a hole I believe eshopps makes one that will hang on the sumpwall, although it is a little more expensive. ($30 as opposed to $12). Irrigation line goes from the valve to your top off reservoir. I used one of those quick connect fittings to attach irrigation line to the top off reservoir.
Because it is fed by gravity the top off will only flow when the waterline in the reservoir is higher than the float valve, so you will have to build a shelf to place your topoff water on. If I can figure out how to attach pictures I will.

 

A simple float valve is installed through the wall of your sump. If you do not want to drill a hole I believe eshopps makes one that will hang on the sumpwall, although it is a little more expensive. ($30 as opposed to $12). Irrigation line goes from the valve to your top off reservoir. I used one of those quick connect fittings to attach irrigation line to the top off reservoir.
Because it is fed by gravity the top off will only flow when the waterline in the reservoir is higher than the float valve, so you will have to build a shelf to place your topoff water on. If I can figure out how to attach pictures I will.

 

A simple float valve is installed through the wall of your sump. If you do not want to drill a hole I believe eshopps makes one that will hang on the sumpwall, although it is a little more expensive. ($30 as opposed to $12). Irrigation line goes from the valve to your top off reservoir. I used one of those quick connect fittings to attach irrigation line to the top off reservoir.
Because it is fed by gravity the top off will only flow when the waterline in the reservoir is higher than the float valve, so you will have to build a shelf to place your topoff water on. If I can figure out how to attach pictures I will.

 

I made up a gravity flow set up for mine too. Built a shelf above my sump. Bought a 15 gallon tote from Walmart. Drilled a hole for a .5" bulkhead. Installs bulkhead, an adapter and shut off valve and ran .25" to my sump. Bought a float kit from eshopps..used an old mag float and siliconed the mounting bracket to it so I had more adjustment for float height. Installed in the return side of the sump. I also split my ro fill line and did the same set up for the saltwater mixing tank(40breeder) and installed another BRS float valve in the top off tote. That way I can fill the mixing tank and/or top off tote when low. I think I've got $60 wrapped up in all the valve kits and extra pieces.

 

I also set up the mixing tank so all I have to do is drain water from the sump..turn a valve and I have the water fill by way of a drain line from one of the display tanks. Cheap and easy way to keep from moving buckets. Takes about 5 minutes to do a 35g water change. If anyone is interested in pics....i'll work on posting my new set up.