ATO

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by Wayne

I already have a 13G tank beside my DT right now for top offs. Interesting idea though!

Here are some photos of what I use, a 7 gal wine carboy and mechanical humidifier float switch. As mentioned a small air pump on a digital timer keeps the top off container under positive pressure to provide water through the float switch. Keeps my system nicely topped up for about a week. The container sits on it's own stand, just a little lower than the display. I suppose I could hide it in a wicker basket or something, but just can't be bothered. I don't mind it there and it's easier to change out bottles.

When I do my basement sump I will be using gravity feed, so no air pump required. With regard to the number of electrical float switches on an ATO, there comes a point where complexity outstrips redundancy and you just end up with too many components. If something goes awry, your troubleshooting skills better be good to try and figure out what float switch does what and the consequences of failure of each of them. Just my opinion on that though, I like to keep it as simple as possible.