ATO accident prevention?

Ytsejam02

Ytsejam02

New member
Hi all,
I'm looking at ATOs. I don't currently have one, I understand the benefits of getting one, but picking on is a whole different story. Honestly, the part that bothers me the most right now is the potential for accidents.

I'm wondering if there are any best practices people have to help prevent gallons of water on the floor due to ATO issues? I know some ATO systems use second sensor/floats, some have single sensors. In the end they are all SUPPOSED to turn off when the reach the desired height... :-)

Are there steps people have taken to prevent accidents outside of the actual ATO systems?

Thx!
 
Lots of people use systems with dual float switches for redundancy. They would wire two switches in series so if both weren't tripped (or if one tripped when water got too high) it would open the circuit. I personally liked the Avast ATO (no moving parts) with the float valve backup: http://www.avastmarine.com/products/ato-kit
 
Last edited:
1) Use a lower float switch to turn on/off the ATO.
2) Use an upper float switch for emergency shut off when sump gets full (back-up if the lower float switch gets stuck "on").
3) Understand the flow of your ATO pump, connect it to a timer, and limit the amount of time the pump runs each day.

I use an Apex to turn on/off the ATO pump. I know my pump's output is .4 gallons per hour (Avast peristalic pump), and I know my average evaporation is ~ 1.25 gallons per day. So I time the ATO pump to only be available five hours per day with the float switches actually turning on/off the pump.
 
Dual float switch---has a top as well as a bottom limit. Also go for 'snailproof' designs. I use a device from Avast, a kind of pressure tube, which is great if you can protect it from being 'adjusted' by somebody accidentally, like reaching into the sump and accidentally shoving it. You just have to have to use reasonable care.
 
elFloyd said:
1) Use a lower float switch to turn on/off the ATO.
2) Use an upper float switch for emergency shut off when sump gets full (back-up if the lower float switch gets stuck "on").
3) Understand the flow of your ATO pump, connect it to a timer, and limit the amount of time the pump runs each day.

I use an Apex to turn on/off the ATO pump. I know my pump's output is .4 gallons per hour (Avast peristalic pump), and I know my average evaporation is ~ 1.25 gallons per day. So I time the ATO pump to only be available five hours per day with the float switches actually turning on/off the pump.
Click to expand...

I use a simple mechanical timer instead of a controller but the idea is the same. My ATO is only on for 15 minutes every hour. A number of years ago the primary switch did fail closed but with the backup switch in place, I didn't have any issues.

I would add that part of your daily routine should be a visual check of the sump. I have the water level marked on the side of my sump so I can tell right away if the water level isn't where it should be.
 
For me, I just run a smaller ato reservoir. My tank volume is around 200gallons, however my ato is only 10 gallons. That way if my ato pump went rogue and dumped all the water, I only added a small amount.
 
Another way to incorporate the Apex, in addition to the ALD module, is to monitor the salinity.....if the salinity drops, have it shut off the ATO.
 
how big is your tank? the Tunze I believe shuts off after a certain amount of time to try and limit accidents if for some reason float shut off was compromised.
 
I've been running the new AutoAqua smart micro ATO and so far so good. It uses an optical sensor, so no float valves to stick. It included a small pump with the kit that is matched to the sensor/computer and has an auto shutoff if it runs longer than the computer knows it supposed to.
 
I have been running the smart ato for 2 years. Has worked perfect so far. Knock on wood. I clean the glass by the sensor every few months.
 
And as a backup, from Amazon, there's a simple cheap water alarm with a very high decibel output. Set it where water would occur, as on carpet, under stand, etc, and if water unites the two metal spots on bottom, it screams bloody murder. Ours is in the basement, and if anything, not just the ATO, (do anchor your input hoses firmly so they won't slip out) causes water to hit the floor, we hear it.
 
boostedvq said:
For me, I just run a smaller ato reservoir. My tank volume is around 200gallons, however my ato is only 10 gallons. That way if my ato pump went rogue and dumped all the water, I only added a small amount.
Click to expand...

^^^ This is the ultimate fail safe option IMO. If you don't have enough water to make a flood, you're not going to have a flood.

Also I would never connect the RODI to the ATO. This has caused much grief in the past to some RC members apparently.

I think I have seen floor water sensors that can deenergize the power outlet that your ATO pump uses, shutting it off the moment it detects water. But considering the damage a flood can do, I personally would be afraid to rely JUST on any mechanical gizmo.
 
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thelawnwrangler said:
how big is your tank? the Tunze I believe shuts off after a certain amount of time to try and limit accidents if for some reason float shut off was compromised.
Click to expand...

Only 55g, and for what it's worth, it's sumpless.

The new SMART ATO micro also turns off if the refill takes > 3x longer than previous refill. ie - if it took 10 seconds to refill, next time takes 35, it would've stopped at 30s.

I kinda like that.
 
Sk8r said:
And as a backup, from Amazon, there's a simple cheap water alarm with a very high decibel output. Set it where water would occur, as on carpet, under stand, etc, and if water unites the two metal spots on bottom, it screams bloody murder. Ours is in the basement, and if anything, not just the ATO, (do anchor your input hoses firmly so they won't slip out) causes water to hit the floor, we hear it.
Click to expand...

I find the audible alarms frustrating. I understand it's simple and cheap, but unlike the tree in the forest, it doesn't matter whether or not someone heard it, I'd still have a flood. :-)

I'm lucky enough to work from home, but no one can be home all the time. Call me paranoid. I've never dealt with an ATO, hence I'm looking for other's experiences.

Everyone is giving great advice, I truly appreciate it!
 
boostedvq said:
For me, I just run a smaller ato reservoir. My tank volume is around 200gallons, however my ato is only 10 gallons. That way if my ato pump went rogue and dumped all the water, I only added a small amount.
Click to expand...

+1 my ATO has alarms built in, but I like having a fail-proof backup. I use ~2 gallon containers for my 75g tank with 20g sump. It lasts me 5 days. I use a 5 gallon bucket (needs to sit next to cabinet) while on vacation so that my tank sitter only needs to check on it twice/week.

Also, make sure the end of your fill line is above the high water level in your sump so that you can't siphon back into your topoff container. Actually check for siphon risks in both directions.

Kim
 
[QUOTEAlso, make sure the end of your fill line is above the high water level in your sump so that you can't siphon back into your topoff container. Actually check for siphon risks in both directions.

][/QUOTE]
wow that's a good point, I hadn't thought of that, need to run down and check on mine.
 
Tarheel Reefer said:
[QUOTEAlso, make sure the end of your fill line is above the high water level in your sump so that you can't siphon back into your topoff container. Actually check for siphon risks in both directions.

]
Click to expand...
wow that's a good point, I hadn't thought of that, need to run down and check on mine.[/QUOTE]
 
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