Do you trust your ATO?

[Crustman]

Just got the jbjlighting ATO. Set up a 10 gallon tank as my RO reservoir and have a small AZOO pump in here along with the pump shutoff switch. The other switch is in my sump. Everything seems to be working fine but what would happen if the pump did not shut off and filled my sump and overflowed my tank? Does this ever happen? How do thes devices work after a short power outage. Do they automatically reset? I have been adding about a gallon a day of RO water to my sump with a pitcher.

[RealFish]

Not familiar with that particular ATO. I believe I used a Lifereef in the past and it would fail every once in a while. I have had the best luck with just hooking my RO/DI directly to a float valve in the sump.

That being said I'm using one of the Tunze Osmolators on my son's tank with sucess for the past couple months. It has two sensors, one to turn it on when it is too low and one to turn it off when it's too high.

I'm in the process of setting up a reef now for myself. I purchased a Level Loc which is basically the old float valve concept I described above plus a high sensor. They also recommend that you run it on a timer as a third backup. Make sense to me.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Crustman
Just got the jbjlighting ATO. Set up a 10 gallon tank as my RO reservoir and have a small AZOO pump in here along with the pump shutoff switch. The other switch is in my sump. Everything seems to be working fine but what would happen if the pump did not shut off and filled my sump and overflowed my tank? Does this ever happen? How do thes devices work after a short power outage. Do they automatically reset? I have been adding about a gallon a day of RO water to my sump with a pitcher.

in your case if the pump shut off you would end up with 10 gal max in your sump----that should not be a problem--but I would compensate for that 10 gal and any that might return from the display tank in case of a failure, by adjusting the level in your sump to take it all.

[sebrofjr]

I just purchased a Level-Loc connected directly to my RO unit for my new tank setup and it is a quality product.

I have it set for 3 levels of protection.

1. The float valve.
2. The high level sensor.
3. I have it set to only run for 5 minutes each day.

I'm going to time it again but you can check to see how long it takes to replenish your tank with top off water each day, then only let it run for that amount, so your guaranteed never to flood.

Since its timed with a Reef Keeper Light, I might also setup failsafes with the additional switches I just ordered for the RKL. I might use those to shut off the return pump though too in case it dries out (low on the bottom) or floods in the display (high in the display).

[Crustman]

Thank you. MY sump could probably hold 3 more gallons from the level I keep it at for the skimmer. Here is the ATO and reservoir

[Crustman]

I think you are right and I need more protection. I also want to let the pump run whenever the sump swich triggers to keep the salinity stable 24 hours a day.

[THE ROOK]

Two changes I'd personally make. Place both floats in the sump & change the settings so that the 2nd float is a backup in case the 1st sticks/fails. Then I'd replace the pump with a Tom's Aqualifter ($15.00) as long as the reservoir is next to the tank.

The reason for the pump change is because the Tom's pump can run dry without damage.

[96p993]

and to take the aqualifter a bit further...It pumps out at such a slow rate you have a better chance of catching something if things did go wrong. I would also make the 2nd float switch a cut off for the pump...Extra insurance is never a bad thing

[805reef]

with the JBJ ATO i think there is an internal timer that only allows the pump to run for a certain amount of time.
from marine depot:
Q: Why does my A.T.O. automatically shut off after a few minutes of operation even though the water level has not reached the float sensor?
A: All A.T.O. Controllers have a factory "Float Fail-Safe" duration time period of 3 minutes and 45 seconds of operation before power to the pump is turned off. The Pump LED will glow but power to the pump will not be turned on. This feature was designed to act as a safety mechanism in the unlikely event the float sensor(s) failed or if something was to get stuck in between the sensor(s). You will have to reset the float sensor(s) to restart the controller.

Q: Can I adjust the "Float Fail-Safe" duration time period?
A: Yes, the duration time can be extended to 14 minutes of operation. (Please see instructions below on adjustment.)

[sebrofjr]

Originally posted by Crustman
I also want to let the pump run whenever the sump swich triggers to keep the salinity stable 24 hours a day.

The constant salinity issue is a great point. Especially considering that's the main reason for ATO.

I think I should probably have mine set to allow it to flow 2 or more times a day too then instead of 1 large pour a day. The only reason i had it set for once a day is that it's connected directly to my RO unit and not to a reservoir. I had read that doing small batches of water through the RO membrane wasn't as efficient.

[Serk]

I trust mine, but that's because after a few failures I built a lot of checks and redundancy into my system...

I've got 4 float switches wired in series, all 4 have to be down for the circuit to energize. Also, my ATO runs through my kalk reactor, and the entire circuit is controlled by a pH controller, so if too much kalk goes in in too quick of a time, power to the ATO circuit is cut that way as well (And I get a page and e-mail that something's wrong)

Yeah, might be a bit of overkill, but after having to clean up 60 gallons of water from a single float switch that failed in the on position... twice... in one weekend... I decided never again...

[commabc]

just a simple timer helps you sleep better at night.