How do you guys use ATO Optical Sensor

[swisschris104]

I was planning on how I will implement my ATO on the Reef-Pi. I don't know what sensor to use. I was planning to use a optical sensor to detect water level, and float switch as a backup (and a float valve)... The problem I am running into is that none of these switches are waterproof. So whenever I turn off my return pump the sensor will get wet and break... Should I just use a on contact liquid sensor? What are you guys doing?

 

[attiland]

I was planning on how I will implement my ATO on the Reef-Pi. I don't know what sensor to use. I was planning to use a optical sensor to detect water level, and float switch as a backup (and a float valve)... The problem I am running into is that none of these switches are waterproof. So whenever I turn off my return pump the sensor will get wet and break... Should I just use a on contact liquid sensor? What are you guys doing?

I think this is only wort doing with 100g plus setups. I have a £30 ATO with optical sensor. Nothing to configure and the motor replaceable up to 2A motor. That is 100g + top up. Reality is you don’t need bigger motor. I have 40g the ATO never runs more than 4-5 sec so I would assume it would easily handle 3x of the size of my tank.

to answer your question if I would change my mind I would use something like this

https://cpc.farnell.com/df-robot/sen0205/photoelectric-water-sensor-for/dp/SC15121?mckv=s_dm%7Cpcrid%7C224679642167%7Ckword%7C%7Cmatch%7C%7Cplid%7C%7Cslid%7C%7Cproduct%7CSC15121%7Cpgrid%7C47129782516%7Cptaid%7Cpla-1233728343034%7C&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!224679642167!!!network%7D!1233728343034!&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQivQq27G2dXPxN3YczTKPU-cfwzVFi20U7CHjeR2H4jV_iFU_lHsAP4aAma-EALw_wcB

 

[swisschris104]

I think this is only wort doing with 100g plus setups. I have a £30 ATO with optical sensor. Nothing to configure and the motor replaceable up to 2A motor. That is 100g + top up. Reality is you don’t need bigger motor. I have 40g the ATO never runs more than 4-5 sec so I would assume it would easily handle 3x of the size of my tank.

to answer your question if I would change my mind I would use something like this

https://cpc.farnell.com/df-robot/sen0205/photoelectric-water-sensor-for/dp/SC15121?mckv=s_dm%7Cpcrid%7C224679642167%7Ckword%7C%7Cmatch%7C%7Cplid%7C%7Cslid%7C%7Cproduct%7CSC15121%7Cpgrid%7C47129782516%7Cptaid%7Cpla-1233728343034%7C&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!224679642167!!!network%7D!1233728343034!&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQivQq27G2dXPxN3YczTKPU-cfwzVFi20U7CHjeR2H4jV_iFU_lHsAP4aAma-EALw_wcB

Yeah, this is sort of what i was planning. I just have the fear that i sensors will break when i overflow sump by turning off return pump. have you had any issues with this?

 

[Ranjib]

I started with optical sensors, 5 years back, but after several false kickoffs, i switched to float sensors, and they are way more reliable. I use a supporting 3d printed contraption, like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3222691

 

[BHHOWARD]

I was thinking of using a couple of these for redundancy outside of the tank/sump/container and never have them submerged.

PIR

a commercial vendor had one: Puratek Auto Level Controller. I don’t think they could compete in the crowded space. @Broadfield was using it a couple of years ago.

 

[attiland]

Yeah, this is sort of what i was planning. I just have the fear that i sensors will break when i overflow sump by turning off return pump. have you had any issues with this?

Not so fare. I have it for 6 month

 

[swisschris104]

I started with optical sensors, 5 years back, but after several false kickoffs, i switched to float sensors, and they are way more reliable. I use a supporting 3d printed contraption, like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3222691

I'm planning to use float switch as a backup at around the same level. So i guess worst case scenario, the float switch will work whenever the optical gets ruined from water. I'll just silicon the top of optical sensor and hope for the best. I read somewhere that the float switches fail from carbon and salt creep

 

[robsworld78]

Have you looked at this type of sensor, these are great when water level could go over optical, 100% if that happens too often and optical is submersed for a period of time it will be ruined, water gets in where the cable enters.

Non-Contact Liquid Level Water Sensor XKC-Y25-V Arduino Compatible

The non-contact water sensor is great for monitoring the levels in your ATO reservoir as it can sense the water level through most materials except metal. This has been tested on Aquariums with 1/2" glass and it works great. It connects easily to the

www.robo-tank.ca

 

[cnidus]

I’ve got one of the optical Sensors as my “HighWaterMark” for ATO/AWC, with a float switch backup and a float valve for both fills also (so couple levels of redundancy).

Im using the non-contact sensor Rob mentioned as my LowWaterMark as that would be submerged most of the time.

I put a little extra silicone around the optical sensor cable also... like you said it gets submerged when return is off, but usually for not ver long. See how long it lasts....