I have a Reef Fanatics ATO. https://premiumaquatics.com/products/reef-fanatic-auto-top-water-level-controller-2-sensors.html
It uses 2 float switches - 1 as primary and 2nd as backup. My research shows that you are to clean them every few months. How are people cleaning them? I fear if I take them fully part they will break over time. The little plastic clips seem to harden up and look brittle. I dipped them in 50/50 water vinegar solution and used my finger nail on the shaft portion to scrap off the carbonate, but they seem to still stick. I also have no interest in cleaning this once a month. How about a solution where I only need to clean it once a year?
Second, any idea to modify them to work better? Spray something on the shaft? I was thinking of adding more floatation to them. Maybe glue something floaty on the bottom / sides to increase the buoyancy pressure. I don't know if I can replace the float switch with something else - not sure how that works with the controller. One would think it would be a simple on/off single, but I don't know.
I have them positioned so that if the ATO pumps my entire reserve, it won't flood beyond the sump and stand. All the same, it is still annoying when it sticks.
It uses 2 float switches - 1 as primary and 2nd as backup. My research shows that you are to clean them every few months. How are people cleaning them? I fear if I take them fully part they will break over time. The little plastic clips seem to harden up and look brittle. I dipped them in 50/50 water vinegar solution and used my finger nail on the shaft portion to scrap off the carbonate, but they seem to still stick. I also have no interest in cleaning this once a month. How about a solution where I only need to clean it once a year?
Second, any idea to modify them to work better? Spray something on the shaft? I was thinking of adding more floatation to them. Maybe glue something floaty on the bottom / sides to increase the buoyancy pressure. I don't know if I can replace the float switch with something else - not sure how that works with the controller. One would think it would be a simple on/off single, but I don't know.
I have them positioned so that if the ATO pumps my entire reserve, it won't flood beyond the sump and stand. All the same, it is still annoying when it sticks.
