Skimmer and ATO troubleshooting

Esh1 · 10/27/2017, 06:06 PM

Got a question about Skimmers and auto top offs.

My skimmer is dialed in and producing the skum that I'd expect from it, however as the water level goes down and the ATO kicks in, it causes the skimmer to fill up with water and then overflow. Today, when I left from work the water level was low, and the ATO was close to kicking in. When I got home, the area around and outside of the skimmer was filled with foam. Currently there isn't anything in the tank, so no issues with killing off any livestock, however, does anyone have any advice on setting the skimmer and ATO up so it doesn't cause this issue?

The ATO is near where the pump for the skimmer is. My best guess is that the fresh RODI water coming in the tank is getting sucked into the skimmer pump right as it enters the sump, which is likely causing this issue. I'm searching for an alternate ATO location, but am not sure where else I can put things at the moment

For reference, my equipment is:
APEX ATK connected to the Neptune APEX
Lifereef skimmer, sump

Up and running!

Getting things set up

Mark Bianco · 10/27/2017, 06:33 PM

Never heard of freshwater causing a skimmer to overflow unless it just fills the sump too much. But being as you have an Apex you could always set a command to shut off the skimmer for an hour or so when the ato kicks in.

Mark

Smokey Stover · 10/27/2017, 07:09 PM

That's a pretty fancy sump set up, Shouldn't the skimmer chambers water level remain steady? And the ATO/RODI feed into the return pump chamber where it will get pumped up and mixed into the DT before ever seeing the skimmer?

I don't click on links...

NASAGeek · 10/27/2017, 07:40 PM

Something is wrong in your set up. The Skimmer section in the sump should never vary based on evaporation.... ATO shouldn't effect it. The ATO float valve and the pump should be in the same chamber... and that chamber should be the "lowest" in your system. The skimmer section water level should always be above the pump/ATO section and draining into it.

Esh1 · 10/27/2017, 07:52 PM

I should rephrase what I wrote. By skimmer fills up with water, I mean that the skimmer collection cup filled up with water.

The ATO feed is on the skimmer chamber side. I don't really have space for it on the return pump chamber side, at least not how the ATO is setup with the backup float valve. If I find a smaller magnet I might be able to make it work on that side.

If I can find the space, should I move the ATO from the skimmer chamber and put it in the return pump chamber?

ROB2005 · 10/27/2017, 07:57 PM

Its best recommended that you move the ATO output to the return pump section, otherwise your skimmer will continue to go nuts when the top off sequence is initiated.

Esh1 · 10/27/2017, 08:11 PM

Makes sense. Thanks for the info!

hkgar · 10/28/2017, 01:01 PM

If your baffles are set up properly the only section that will increase or decrease level is the return pump area. Any water entering elsewhere in the sump wil flow right over the baffle into the return area. If the level is going up and down something is wrong.

homer1475 · 10/28/2017, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

if your baffles are set up properly the only section that will increase or decrease level is the return pump area. Any water entering elsewhere in the sump wil flow right over the baffle into the return area. If the level is going up and down something is wrong.

+1

10/27/2017, 06:06 PM	#1
Esh1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 70	Skimmer and ATO troubleshooting Got a question about Skimmers and auto top offs. My skimmer is dialed in and producing the skum that I'd expect from it, however as the water level goes down and the ATO kicks in, it causes the skimmer to fill up with water and then overflow. Today, when I left from work the water level was low, and the ATO was close to kicking in. When I got home, the area around and outside of the skimmer was filled with foam. Currently there isn't anything in the tank, so no issues with killing off any livestock, however, does anyone have any advice on setting the skimmer and ATO up so it doesn't cause this issue? The ATO is near where the pump for the skimmer is. My best guess is that the fresh RODI water coming in the tank is getting sucked into the skimmer pump right as it enters the sump, which is likely causing this issue. I'm searching for an alternate ATO location, but am not sure where else I can put things at the moment For reference, my equipment is: APEX ATK connected to the Neptune APEX Lifereef skimmer, sump Up and running! Getting things set up

10/27/2017, 07:57 PM	#6
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	Its best recommended that you move the ATO output to the return pump section, otherwise your skimmer will continue to go nuts when the top off sequence is initiated. __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

10/28/2017, 01:01 PM	#8
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	If your baffles are set up properly the only section that will increase or decrease level is the return pump area. Any water entering elsewhere in the sump wil flow right over the baffle into the return area. If the level is going up and down something is wrong. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

10/27/2017, 06:33 PM	#2
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Never heard of freshwater causing a skimmer to overflow unless it just fills the sump too much. But being as you have an Apex you could always set a command to shut off the skimmer for an hour or so when the ato kicks in. Mark

10/27/2017, 07:09 PM	#3
Smokey Stover Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 361	That's a pretty fancy sump set up, Shouldn't the skimmer chambers water level remain steady? And the ATO/RODI feed into the return pump chamber where it will get pumped up and mixed into the DT before ever seeing the skimmer? I don't click on links...

10/27/2017, 07:40 PM	#4
NASAGeek Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 122	Something is wrong in your set up. The Skimmer section in the sump should never vary based on evaporation.... ATO shouldn't effect it. The ATO float valve and the pump should be in the same chamber... and that chamber should be the "lowest" in your system. The skimmer section water level should always be above the pump/ATO section and draining into it.

10/27/2017, 07:52 PM	#5
Esh1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 70	I should rephrase what I wrote. By skimmer fills up with water, I mean that the skimmer collection cup filled up with water. The ATO feed is on the skimmer chamber side. I don't really have space for it on the return pump chamber side, at least not how the ATO is setup with the backup float valve. If I find a smaller magnet I might be able to make it work on that side. If I can find the space, should I move the ATO from the skimmer chamber and put it in the return pump chamber?

10/27/2017, 08:11 PM	#7
Esh1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 70	Makes sense. Thanks for the info!