ATO help

K

kylathwe

New member
Hey guys, I've been in saltwater for about 9 months, but just now wanting to setup an ATO and I am having the hardest time. I've searched for a while now, but not having any luck...maybe I'm just missing it.

I have a 90 gallon DT with a 30 gallon sump divided into 3 chambers. Problem is that the water level in the DT goes down d/t evaporation, but my sump stays constant. I have an overflow in the back mid portion of my DT that has a straight piece of PVC that also has slits cut out of the sides in the upper third of the pipe.

Am I right in thinking the only way and ato will work correctly is wait for enough evaporation so that the water essentially trickles into the bottom slits of the pipe only? Up until now I have been doing manual top-offs and I keep the overflow water at the same height as my DT. It has been quiet, but I have never been able to get my sump water level to go down with evaporation.

Hopefully that helps, thanks in advance.
 
something is not correct, when you have a sump the only place where the water level will move is the return section.

is it possiable to take pics of your setup so we can get an idea of how it is running
 
I'm out of the house most of the day today but ill try to ASAP.

I'm thinking that because my water level is essentially always over my drain pipe that there is a constant rate of water coming down it and thus my sump level doesn't change. I have not tested that out yet though.
 
I agree with shifty51008 that the return sump chamber is the place where the water level should go down. Pictures would help. Based on your description, it seems that the water level in the DT should be at the slits not the top of the pipe. Maybe by design, the top is the emergency overflow if the slits get clogged. Never seen a design like that, but seems like it would work. The water level in the sump will never go down as long as the slits allow water to return.
 
That's what I'm thinking eacosta. I bought the tank used off Craigslist so not sure of the plumbing decisions. I'm thinking the bottom slit will have to be the only one receiving water for the sump to work as intended.
 
you should be able to lower the water level in the DT by slowing down the return pump with a ball valve. if there isn't a ball valve on the return pump add one to the output side (never restrict water flow to the pump) and adjust as nessasary.
 
Curious how far down the slits are? On a 90 (48x18x24) each inch of height lost is about 3.7g of water lost. Probably not an issue, but I like to keep as much water volume as possible.
 
They are down pretty far. My 90 is a 36x24x24. The overflow runs the length of the tank down the middle and the teeth are at the top so I only really lose water volume in my overflow if that makes sense.
 
Have you tried closing the gate valve some to restrict the overflow rate? The slits might also be a siphon break to restrict back flow in the case of a power outage.
 
make sure the gate valve on the drain is wide open you don't wanna restrict the drain lines, that could be a flood waiting to happen.

I don't understand the slits in your drain line though, I have never seen one like that and don't understand the reason, I would just replumb the overflow with a durso will be very easy to do.
 
I have eacosta...I've toyed with it a lot over the months.

Curious to those with normal setups since mine is weird. Does your drain pipe stay constantly submerged or does water essentially waterfall into it?
 
Following with interest. Like the others said, if your system is working correctly, water level in DT should be constant.

Are you saying that the water level inside your overflow is dropping, and that's where your adding it? It can't be dropping in the main tank, because once it does then it will no longer overflow into the overflow!
 
Ok 1 more try at the guessing game :) .

Are you using an overflow box? The box would bring the water level up and constant to the teeth height. The alternative is to bring the water level down to the slits in the pipe. Me personally, I would use a box.
 
Sorry I don't have actual pics, I'm out of town until tonight. Perhaps my problem is I have been keeping too much water in the tank.

The tank is drilled at the bottom of the tank and the overflow runs the height of the tank. It is similar to the corner overflow about halfway doen this page except mine is in the middle of the tank.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/

Up to now I've been keeping the water level in the tank even or slightly over the teeth of the overflow. When evaporation happens it only loses water in the DT. I'm thinking this is because technically the drain is always completely submerged. With the slits in the drain pipe the water level in my overflow has to go down quite a bit before it would only waterfall in and not be submerged.

Sorry again if it sounds like I'm talking Greek. I appreciate your help. Hopefully some pics when I get home will help.
 
Sounds like the water level in your DT is too high. With that kind of overflow, the water is supposed to come through the teeth, not over them.
 
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