ATO question

[Rarend99]

Hey guys,

I've ran my Tunze ATO for about 6 months without an issue, I always had a 5gallon bucket full of water outside the tank stand for water. Recently I switched to a tall skinny acrylic top off container and I am having issues. I think it is because my top off water level in my reservoir is about 8 inches higher than my sump level. It for some reason even with the pump off dumps water into my tank until the top off reservoir and sump are at the same level. Is there a check valve or something I can add to stop this from happening?

 

[Reefugee]

A check valve won't help. The problem is that your have a siphon going on.. You need to break the siphon. To do this, make sure that your top off hose output is at a higher level than the top of your top off reservoir. If this is too high above your sump, then buy a second (or pipe) that is large enough so that your top off hose can fit into. You want the top off hose to fit loosely inside the second hose. You need air to be able to enter to break the siphon. Put the second hose into your sump. SO you have top off pump >>> Top off hose (which the output side is higher than the top of the top off reservoir) >> the second larger diameter hose >> sump.

I think that will solve your problem.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Reefugee got it.

Any time the TO outlet is lower than the surface of the TO tank water you'll get a siphon. Switching to the tall container probably raised the level of the TO tank water.

Other than installing a valve with solenoid to automatically shut off flow - not recommended - your best bet would be to raise the outlet level. If you can't do that, put less water in the TO container so it's level is not above the outlet.

 

[Rarend99]

So I just have to make sure the top off hose is higher than the top of the water in the ato container?

 

[Rarend99]

It'll just be a long drop from the hose of the top off water to the sump, probably a 12inch drop but I guess it'll work

 

[woodnaquanut]

So I just have to make sure the top off hose is higher than the top of the water in the ato container?

Yep, the end of the hose outlet needs to stay above the water level in the TO container.

I liked Reefugee's idea to prevent splashing if the water had to drop a long distance into the sump. The outlet ends up high but empties into a larger tube that goes into the sump. Kind of like pouring into a funnel except no 'V' shaped top on the funnel.

Sweet idea, Reefugee! :thumbsup:

 

[Reefugee]

See the image below. It's not my image. It's from the following thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824

 

[woodnaquanut]

Nice. I like the anti-jump netting too.

This thread made me think about an upgrade I'm about to do to my ato. I got a great FREE barrel to use as the ato tank. Time to measure and see if it's too tall.