ATO malfunction yesterday, Very Nervous

[Gary Majchrzak]

Why is that Gary? I just started finishing up the cabinet and hood around the back of the tank. I was hoping that would cut down on the evap. Also once I have the cabinet all together I was going to upgrade to some larger fans. Hopefully with it insulated I wont hear any extra noise.

my system has a high evaporation rate (typically 1 - 2 gallons per day) and that's what I desire. (High evap rate = larger limewater additions).
I have several inches of water above the pump intakes in my sump- enough for about one week's worth of evaporation.
If I'm going away I can load up the system with some (extra) freshwater in advance which will raise the sump water level even higher (which gives me more time to enjoy a vacation).
When playing with sump water levels my S.G. stays within acceptable range but (obviously) S.G. increases as evaporation takes place.

*knock on wood!*
I've never had a problem with this method.

 

[Gravesj1s]

I dont know but ime, any and all electronic devices will fail at some point.Just a matter of when.For the most part this is why I try to limit gagetry as much as possible.
As long as its expected at some point and able to be minimized then its not really an issue.

I'd rather use a float valve (uses air) when ever possible over float switches.Also small metering pumps like spectrapure litermeter or aqualifter pumps because they only deliver very small amouts of fluids over the course of a day.So even in a stuck on situation your more likely to catch it minimizing any major overdoses.

Dont know if your aware of it but thought Id mention you really dont want to hook an ro/di directly to a sump if possible,not only for the issue you just had but TDS creep is another that comes to mind.If an RO switches on an off frequently it allows Tds to permenate the membrane,you maynot notice it but your DI resin will exhaust faster.

 

[pascal32]

As a tech junkie and engineer I love the idea of automation. The key is having failsafes. The ato I'm putting into my build has a dual float for the ato and addition high/low sensors with relay based power cutoffs. Even with all that things can go wrong. A single failsafe is is enough, just make sure you manual activate and test once per month including a power failure check.

 

[Sir Edward]

Hmmmm, seems that it is all about the backups. Back up for the back up. IMO, this isn't a nuclear power unit. I so much enjoy my tank, I sit and watch it everyday. Always cleaning the glass, fussing with something. So adding the 2 or so gallons every day is just part of my routine. The more automation, the less we seem to pay attention. Just IMO.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Well I agree but also see the points of others as much as I can with the original poster having space limitations.

 

[aww_419]

I never wanted the tank to have a lot of automation. I suppose if I didnt have baffles in the tank I wouldnt have to top off so much. But they serve a purpose so that ideas gone. I think Ill just have to put as many fail safes in place as possible. I just purchased an AC3 with brand new orp, ph, and temp probes. It comes with a dc8, dc4hd and full aqua notes. Im sure this well help me keep an eye on things. I am going to hook up 2 solenoids in sequence to a controlled out let. And have the AC3 turn on the outlet (ATO) for a certain amount of time each day. Also I will have a float valve at the top of the sump that will turn off the return pump when activated.

I have a few other ideas I will be working on also to help prevent any other accidents.

 

[Sir Edward]

aww, how are all the livestock doing? I certainly hope that there was no causalities.

 

[aww_419]

Im suprised that everything didnt die. That must have been in near fresh water around 50 degrees F for a few hours. Casualties are

blue spot jaw fish
2 cleaner shrimp
1 peppermint shrimp
2 toadstool leathers very much like your avatar
a couple green stylo frags
small electric green bubble coral
a couple purple birds nest frags
a few zoo frags
and a decent piece of pulsing xenia which is pretty bad since its my fiances favorite

couple others are hanging in there so well see how they go.

Quite a few of them were just starter corals but its still disappointing. The jaw fish was a hard hit and the xenia to my fiance. Im really glad the the more expensive corals are hanging in there, but all in all pretty terrible.

So ill be looking for some new corals to fill those spots and more once I get everything settled and back in safe condition.

 

[Sir Edward]

Said to hear of the causalities, I would be sick right now. Still good that all was not lost. My daughter lives in Cheektowaga. Next time we go out for a visit, I'll let you know, maybe have a chance to check out your system.

 

[superkat]

wow. i am so so sorry....

 

[aww_419]

Thanks everybody.

Well the blue spotted jaw isnt a definite casualty I just havent seen him at all which is weird.

But mostly lost the frags probably because they were newly fragged.