ATO Stuck Again !!!

[AmherstReef]

After sticking on and dumping 5 gallons of ATO Kalk water in my DT on Thanksgiving, the stupid thing did it again this morning. Luckily it probably only dumped a gallon or less but now I am really nervous.

Last week I checked that there were no obstructions within the float switch, but this time I will pull it out completely and clean it thoroughly. Someone also suggested getting the DC Voltage adapter for this unit, so I ordered it this morning from autotopoff.com.

Any other ideas or suggestions ?? UGH what a PITA......

 

[TheRealRuk]

For what its worth, I've always kept my Kalc (ATO) pump set through my Apex as "pH control" to shut off if the pH swings any higher then normal. Wont stop the problem with your ATO sticking, but will prevent a disaster.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Do you have an upper float switch to act as a shut off?

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

Clean it in vinegar every few months and get a second float shut off.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

great suggestion so far!

great suggestion so far!

another suggestion: use a timer to control the topoff doser

 

[AmherstReef]

There is an upper float switch but the water never gets high enough to trigger it.

 

[AmherstReef]

another suggestion: use a timer to control the topoff doser

Interesting thought Gary, but not quite sure how to combine the float switch and timer .

 

[cardiffgiant]

I''m curious, what brand is it and how old is it? I'd complain. To the company and trry to get it replaced. If they don't replace, I'd throw it out and get 2 more (the 2nd one to protect from failure of the 1st).

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

There is an upper float switch but the water never gets high enough to trigger it.

can you lower that shutoff switch?

A timer can be used to control ANY electrically powered device.
ATO's that use float switches must still use a pump, right?

 

[davidpesce]

another suggestion: use a timer to control the topoff doser

I really think this is the safest approach to any ATO.

I have my ATO set with the Apex controller and eliminated all float switches. It requires me to test salinity more often (or visually look at the water level in the sump), but the peace of mind is golden.

 

[darkiss]

ya i hear the float switches will fuse together after a power outage...

 

[AmherstReef]

I''m curious, what brand is it and how old is it? I'd complain. To the company and trry to get it replaced. If they don't replace, I'd throw it out and get 2 more (the 2nd one to protect from failure of the 1st).

Autotopoff.com, had it for over a year

 

[Greg 45]

Purchased a avast marine top off controlled by air no electric in tank
best purchase i ever made

 

[AmherstReef]

can you lower that shutoff switch?

A timer can be used to control ANY electrically powered device.
ATO's that use float switches must still use a pump, right?

I think I can lower it, I'm going to try that tonight.

I have no idea how long the ATO pump runs for at a time, 10, 20, 30 seconds ??. If the pump was hooked up to a controller, would there be a way to tell it to never run for more than say, a minute at a time ?

I have a Reef Angel on order, it's my Xmas present from the wife.

 

[tmz]

I don't usea float switch set ups so I can't be of much help with your particular case. I use a still reservoir and dose a preset amount each day to closely match top off. The dose is spread over 24/7 via a liter meter 3; any good peristaltic or even diaphram pump with a multi position timer will do . Periodic seasonal shorfalls related to increased evaporation rates are made up with ro water to the sump or if the sg slips a little salt water. It never amounts to more than a liter or so per day for the 600gallon system.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I think I can lower it, I'm going to try that tonight.

I have no idea how long the ATO pump runs for at a time, 10, 20, 30 seconds ??. If the pump was hooked up to a controller, would there be a way to tell it to never run for more than say, a minute at a time ?

I have a Reef Angel on order, it's my Xmas present from the wife.

Most people who do what Gary is suggesting just plug the whole shebang into a timer and set it to only run a set amount per day.

Regardless, any level of failsafe like this should not cause you to reduce your maintenance or monitoring of the system. It's no good to have the system on a timer and not realize that the float switch is stuck and the ATO is just running straight off the timer until a month and a half later when the system is in trouble...

FWIW incidents like this are another reason why I run kalk through a separate control mechanism than my ATO. If the ATO fails, I'll just be messing with salinity; not pH, calcium, and alkalinity as well...

 

[ReddyW]

The Reef Angel has an ATO timer programmed in. The level switches are a little cumbersome, but they have a new pressure sensor out that does away with them.

http://www.reefcentral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2225439

 

[AmherstReef]

Thanks for the link looks like the ATO timer will shut if off automatically after a minute, that would be perfect

 

[blanden.adam]

+1 to the lowering of the 2nd float switch. If even in the event of an on-position failure the water level doesn't reach the 2nd float switch, it really isn't doing it's job as a failsafe . Also, float switches are relatively inexpensive. After this little endeavor I'd be really hard pressed to not tear the thing apart and replace the malfunctioning switch.

Also, Darkiss, a power outage does not fuse the float switches in the on position for a properly built or protected ATO. If you are running 120V AC through them, then they can fuse in the on position if there is an unprotected surge that overwhelms their max switching voltage (such as when a circuit completes or breaks, or in the event of a power outage as you suggest) but all of this is mitigated if you use a 12V relay, or even have a quality surge protector (I'd recommend having both).

 

[AmherstReef]

I was able to lower the second float switch which will make a difference if it ever happens again. I also thoroughly soaked and cleaned out the switch. Once I can hook it up to my Reef Angel (not until xmas) I should be all set.