First time ATO help

MellowReefer · 07/16/2013, 09:50 AM

I'm not new to the hobby but finally getting around to setting up an ATO because I have no one to add water this time while I'm gone for a few days.

I have the JBJ and I'm using the Aqualifter pump. I set it up for option A and I am using one sensor in the sump and going without the sensor in the RODI reservoir. I have the Aqualifter set higher than the sump and the reservoir (is that right?). It seemed to work fine but after the pump turned off when it got to the right level it kept dripping water, like there was a weak suction from the reservoir to the sump. It filled quite a bit from this dripping (about a half gallon) after it turned off. How do you prevent this suction effect?

thegrun · 07/16/2013, 10:00 AM

The end of the discharge tube from the fresh water reservoir must be higher than the top of the reservoir or it will create a siphon and pull water out of the reservoir. You can place the end of the discharge tube in a larger pipe to give yourself a siphon break so the water doesn't splash all over your sump.

Doogy · 07/16/2013, 10:10 AM

I had that same pump and when it was off, no water could go through the pump. That pump also broke on me after like 3 months. Just keep an eye on it.

MellowReefer · 07/16/2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

The end of the discharge tube from the fresh water reservoir must be higher than the top of the reservoir or it will create a siphon and pull water out of the reservoir. You can place the end of the discharge tube in a larger pipe to give yourself a siphon break so the water doesn't splash all over your sump.

Thanks, I will try that.

MellowReefer · 07/16/2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doogy

I had that same pump and when it was off, no water could go through the pump. That pump also broke on me after like 3 months. Just keep an eye on it.

Thanks, I will keep that in mind.

07/16/2013, 09:50 AM	#1
MellowReefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 854	First time ATO help I'm not new to the hobby but finally getting around to setting up an ATO because I have no one to add water this time while I'm gone for a few days. I have the JBJ and I'm using the Aqualifter pump. I set it up for option A and I am using one sensor in the sump and going without the sensor in the RODI reservoir. I have the Aqualifter set higher than the sump and the reservoir (is that right?). It seemed to work fine but after the pump turned off when it got to the right level it kept dripping water, like there was a weak suction from the reservoir to the sump. It filled quite a bit from this dripping (about a half gallon) after it turned off. How do you prevent this suction effect? __________________ Current tank: 125 Gallon Mixed Reef set up February 2012

07/16/2013, 10:00 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The end of the discharge tube from the fresh water reservoir must be higher than the top of the reservoir or it will create a siphon and pull water out of the reservoir. You can place the end of the discharge tube in a larger pipe to give yourself a siphon break so the water doesn't splash all over your sump.

07/16/2013, 10:10 AM	#3
Doogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 135	I had that same pump and when it was off, no water could go through the pump. That pump also broke on me after like 3 months. Just keep an eye on it.