AIO and ATO: A cautionary tale

[QuiGonJay]

As I move through my first year with my tank (one month to go) I've been slowly adding equipment - skimmer, wave pump, etc. My latest was an ATO system. Has the standard switch for the tank and also one in the water container to shut off if the water level is too low.

As I discovered today, one thing I did not account for was how my All In One tank behaves when the power is out. I set the water tube well above the back 'sump' level for the aquarium when the pumps were running. However when they stopped, the water level dropped in the front of the tank and rose in the back area. This put the water intake under water so water started flowing from the tank to the water container.

So that sucked. Luckily my son called me at work and told me the power went off and it suddenly occurred to me this might happen so I had him remove the tube. I had a minor overflow to clean up, but could have been much worse.

Moral of the Story: All In One Tank owners that use ATO, place your water tube in your aquarium when your pumps are off to ensure it always stays above the water line in event of a power failure.

 

[CafeReef]

this is a very good tip. I have my float switch on mine set about mid 3/4 up in my return section where my ATO fills. when power is out it fills just like yours but stops before the hose. this is by chance not design haha. Good tip. ill keep an eye on that for mine if I ever move it.

 

[oldbones]

Hmmm, the same applies for a sumped tank as well. I have one of each, and now I probably need to go raise the ATO lines in both!

Thanks for the tip...