Tunze Universal ATO & WC

Devi · 01/21/2015, 08:05 AM

I've never used an ATO. So just a quick question. I do not have a sump, this is an all in one tank. So when I do water changes the water drops in the back chamber. So of course the ATO starts pumping water. I've been turning off the ATO to do the water change then turning it back on when I'm done. Even though the water is at the right level the ATO freaks out and starts pumping water, and not a small bit of water, almost a liter. Since by now I have figured it's going to do this I just let it fill up my bucket until it quits. The unit works perfectly otherwise. Does any one have a work around? Am I missing the obvious? Much thanks.

lafayettereefer · 01/21/2015, 11:48 AM

I've always had my ato switches in the back chambers. When the pumps go off it fills it up and sets off the high level switch which tells my apex to turn the ato completely off

christopherjudd · 01/21/2015, 03:22 PM

Mine does that too...

Portsie · 01/21/2015, 08:21 PM

The tunze pumps some water every time you cycle power to it. I wouldn't worry about it. Unless your tank is extremely small, the extra bit of water it pumps in will slowly evaporate and shouldn't cause any issues assuming there is room in the tank for it. I would say mine pumps for about 10 seconds on startup.

Frozenguy · 01/22/2015, 10:33 AM

You can change the flow rate so it doesn't pump as much in that 10 seconds after power on.
As mentioned, this is normal operation.

Dapg8gt · 01/22/2015, 10:42 AM

Yes either turn down the flow on the unit or disconnect a single wire leading to the pump on each power cycle until the light goes green. This is a normal function for the tunze

01/21/2015, 08:05 AM	#1
Devi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 114	Tunze Universal ATO & WC I've never used an ATO. So just a quick question. I do not have a sump, this is an all in one tank. So when I do water changes the water drops in the back chamber. So of course the ATO starts pumping water. I've been turning off the ATO to do the water change then turning it back on when I'm done. Even though the water is at the right level the ATO freaks out and starts pumping water, and not a small bit of water, almost a liter. Since by now I have figured it's going to do this I just let it fill up my bucket until it quits. The unit works perfectly otherwise. Does any one have a work around? Am I missing the obvious? Much thanks.

01/21/2015, 08:21 PM	#4
Portsie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 741	The tunze pumps some water every time you cycle power to it. I wouldn't worry about it. Unless your tank is extremely small, the extra bit of water it pumps in will slowly evaporate and shouldn't cause any issues assuming there is room in the tank for it. I would say mine pumps for about 10 seconds on startup. __________________ 90g corner overflow, 33g sump, Apex, Vertex IN-100, 2x MP-10w ES, 1X MP-40w, Tunze Osmolator, 60lbs Caribsea oolite, 85lbs live rock, 4x54w T5 with LED moonlights

01/22/2015, 10:42 AM	#6
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	Yes either turn down the flow on the unit or disconnect a single wire leading to the pump on each power cycle until the light goes green. This is a normal function for the tunze __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

01/21/2015, 11:48 AM	#2
lafayettereefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 103	I've always had my ato switches in the back chambers. When the pumps go off it fills it up and sets off the high level switch which tells my apex to turn the ato completely off

01/21/2015, 03:22 PM	#3
christopherjudd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 419	Mine does that too...

01/22/2015, 10:33 AM	#5
Frozenguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 226	You can change the flow rate so it doesn't pump as much in that 10 seconds after power on. As mentioned, this is normal operation.