Describe your *reliable* ATO system

Z

zeblisik

New member
So I just got back from vacation to the Caymans to a flooded apartment. My landlady, who lives below me, was very understanding. But things have to change. The device seems clean but it sometimes fails.

I have a double switch from autofopoff.com and this is the second time it has failed. Normally I have it connected to a float switch top offed RO reservoir or kalk reservoir.

I want an ATO that is reliable for at least 2 weeks, preferably a whole month. The only thing I have thought of is getting a more reliable float switch and putting the pump on a digital timer (calculating the daily top off needs)

So what does everyone else do? Any recommendations?
 
44G Brute for limewater topoff reservoir
Reef Fanatic Dual level controller, floats attached to sump with magnets
Aqualifter for ATO pump.
 
zerblisik, your links aren't working.

I have an air pressure switch style ATO. I've had a Tsunami AT1 for almost 2 or 3 years now and I've never had it fail on me. It turns on a peristaltic pump that draws water either from a 32g brute or a 5g bucket of kalkwasser. I'd recommend it or the Tunze. Only thing is, I've never cleaned mine once, but I've helped a friend clean his Osmolator.
 
I too use some parts from autofopoff.com and have had an occasional issue. After the last big one where I put in 44gal of saturated kalk into my system I decided to run it on a timer too. I got a regular digital timer from a big box store. one that has minute intervals and like 14 on/off settings a day. I lose around 6 gal of water per day. I reduced the output of my pump to do around a 1/2 gal max/minute and set the timer to run 14 times a day for only 1 minute each.

I haven't had an issue with too much water since putting in the timer. but I know the float has stuck a couple of times because i've watched it happen. i'll never run one again without out a timer setup like this.
 
JBJ ATO is what I use. It switches off after 3 - 14 mins. You can set the time it shuts off. It will only shut off if the the float does not trigger after the time interval. I also have it turn on and off 4 times a day while the Kalkreactor is mixing. This helps reset it if it ever gets shut off. Never had a flood with it.
 
As long as you use a mechanical float switch you are going to have failures... It happens... Hope fully the second float switch catches it if you have one. The tunze unit is a way around that.. but the eye on the tunze does need to be kept clean too.

The jbj ato does have a shut down mechanism if the pump is run for too long of a time. but it is still prone to failure of a mechanical switch. The problem is you could end up running dry eventually. what is worse flooding or running dry? I suppose it depends on how much evaporation you have or how long you are gone.
Dave
 
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LM3, I'm away for two weeks and no issue. The only problem you have calculate the evaporate rate every month. It also dose b-ionic at the same time.
 
I use a Tunze Osmolator. It has an optical eye that senses water level, very accurate imo. The float switch is a backup, for safety, to switch off pump in case anything fails.
 
the Tsunami AT-1 and SpectraPure controller both use air pressure to activate and deactivate an outlet.

do they use standard airline tubing? What happens if this tubing gets crimped? can snails crawl up the tube? what if a bunch of algae clogs it up?

both seem to use suction cups, I guess you could rig something else up, like magnets. Has it ever fallen into your sump? i guess if that happened it'd not flood the sump but just let it run dry.
 
Tunze. I have used one for over a year, with no problems. Before I go away, I fill up a Rubbermaid trashcan with enough RO/DI water to last the trip, and I just drop the Tunze pump in the trashcan, close the top and forget it.
 
Is there any disadvantage to using multiple devices? Like a Tsunami AT-1 and a double float switch? Coupled with a digital timer and a knopp float valve

although the knopp float valve is not rated to be used with kalk, can anyone recommend another inline vertical float switch that could be effectively used with kalk?
 
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