Tunze top off

[Joe0813]

Kind of mad at tunze top off... came to my parents and found my return pump ran dry and my top off decided it was going to not work. The red lights were flashing on the controller. This is the third tunze ato that has done this to me. Anyone know why this happens or how to prevent it

 

[xabo]

How often do clean the sensor?

 

[gcarroll]

i would bet that the top off pump is air locked. This happens when it runs dry and then you fill it. If you don't get the air out, it will run with the air in the pump and shut down because it thinks the container is dry.

Always make sure the pump is primed when you refill the ATO reservoir.

 

[McPuff]

Is it emptying too quickly? You have to make sure the output hose is higher than the water level in the ATO reservoir or it will siphon out.

If it's just running empty, then make sure to shake the pump up and down while under water to prime it. Should probably consider getting a larger ATO reservoir from the sound of it.

 

[bblumberg]

i would bet that the top off pump is air locked. This happens when it runs dry and then you fill it. If you don't get the air out, it will run with the air in the pump and shut down because it thinks the container is dry.

Always make sure the pump is primed when you refill the ATO reservoir.

+1 - this is the most likely reason that the ATO is not working. The Tunze ATO is nearly bulletproof...

 

[Hentz]

When my ATO Tunze 5017 runs dry and I put the pump in a new jug of water, it will slowly if at all push top off water through. What I do, is as it's attempting to pump water back through, I'll push the pump on its side which it usually will push the air or whatever through and start pumping the water.

If that makes any sense.

 

[RedStangGA]

i would bet that the top off pump is air locked. This happens when it runs dry and then you fill it. If you don't get the air out, it will run with the air in the pump and shut down because it thinks the container is dry.

Always make sure the pump is primed when you refill the ATO reservoir.

This! The Tunze has been a bit of a learning experience for me but as long as I don't allow conditions for a siphon or let the ATO reservoir go dry it's perfect.

 

[Hentz]

Agreed with both gcarroll and RedStanfGA.

Tunze definitely has a learning curve to it. It's an amazing product and like others said, bulletproof. Frankly every problem I've had with it, was completely user-error.

I.e.:
Pump running dry and not pushing water through.
Not putting the exit tube under water (dumb idea but yes I did it)
Not buying a Tunze ATO prior because it's a life changing invention lol

 

[cincyjim]

Why is it important to put the "exit tube" under water?

 

[RedStangGA]

Why is it important to put the "exit tube" under water?

Opposite, it's important not too. Can create a siphon or a back siphon.

Point the discharge at a sump wall and it will still be quiet.

 

[cincyjim]

Okay thanks... I got it now. I read that wrong.

 

[Hentz]

Yep. I put my exit tube under water to make it quiet and my ATO kept running. Couldn't figure it out. Realized it was back siphoning back and forth. Basically, my 5 Gallon ATO water combined with my 30 gallons of tank water.... my salinity dropped drastically to say the least.

 

[Joe0813]

nope not air locked.... I tried turning the pump upside down and plugging it back in so it would bleed all the air and there was none. plus I don't let it run dry. it will just randomly happen to.... it works fine for weeks and then it decides it doesn't want to work anymore. until I unplug it and plug it back in.

I haven't tried cleaning the sensor ill try that next time im at my parents house. hopefully soon this floor gets reinforced so I can move this thing into the new house and I can really keep an eye on it.