A small mishap overnight with my ATO

[Tomoko Schum]

Hi y'all,

My DIY ATO float switch had a hiccup last night and dumped the entire water in the reservoir into my sump:sad:. The s.g. was down to 1.023. The tank is still dark, but the inhabitants look okay at the moment. I hurried up and made some strong saltwater. After adding 6 cups of salt, the s.g. is up at 1.024. I was going to do a water change this afternoon. I suppose I can spike the water with an extra 6 cups of salt to push the salinity higher.

I noticed the mishap because of the bubbling sound coming from the tank this morning. It was the tip of my output line from my ATO reservoir bubbling air in the water. The holes on the snail guard on my float switch were partially plugged with junk and, ready for this?, a bunch of bristle worms!! Evidently the guard had enough air trapped in it and the plastic bobber could not move all the way up to turn off the switch. I wonder if bristle worms were also coiled around the top of the bobber... They got me as I inspected the snail guard :mad2:

The ATO is working correctly now after cleaning the snail guard. In the process of cleaning the holes on the guard, I broke the base of the drill bit on my drill. Now I have to figure out how to fish out the base out of the chuck. My Bosch drill has those funny German screws with a star-shaped hole on the chuck assembly. :cry:

This has not been my best morning...

 

[bamareef]

Tomoko, if you need a drill you can borrow mine.

 

[bamareef]

The star shaped screws are called Torx head screws. I got those also.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Thanks, Bamareef.

I don't need a drill at the moment, but I like to get the broken bit out of the chuck. Do you know how? I can take it to my work on Monday and asked the maintenance department to help me out.

 

[H@rry]

Do you have two float switches, the top one being a fail safe if the lower one stops moving?

 

[fishroomlady]

you'll want to be careful in raising salinity, it should be done more slowly and gradually.....

 

[NanaReefer]

1.023 isn't really bad. Just do a couple smaller WC weekly for the next month or so to get things back to normal. You should be just fine.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

No, it's a single switch. It's been quite reliable for all these years (10+), but I should consider a backup. I suppose I need a controller to run two switches. I have been thinking about a controller to alert me on a heater malfunction. I could use a pH pen to control my calcium reactor as well if I get a controller. Fans could be on the controller as well. Since my lights are controlled by their own controllers, I suppose that I can use a smaller controller than a fully rigged up one. What do you think?

 

[H@rry]

A controller will simplify all those things. Someone said automation is a lazy man's way of getting things done without having to do them yourself.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

You're right. It is high time that I did something about it.

It's just that I am afraid of the complacency that automation often brings. I have worked in technical engineering departments in manufacturing plants for years and seen a number of situations that could have led to a big problem if there weren't a good inline backup system. Automation is nice, but it should not be left in a complete autopilot mode. I have also seen and heard about reefers wrecking or losing their tanks because of the automation running a muck.

I will tread carefully but I will get there sooner or later. Hopefully soon than later.

 

[H@rry]

seen a number of situations that could have led to a big problem if there weren't a good inline backup system. Automation is nice, but it should not be left in a complete autopilot mode.

Right, running a single float switch is asking for a problem, an automated backup float switch should avoid that problem.

 

[gcrawford]

I only trust my tunze Osmolator for ATO. I run an apex, but do not trust float switches alone. The Tunze uses an optical sensor to turn on the top off pump. It does require an occasional wipe off to function properly. The unit also incorporates a float switch for overfill, and stays out of the water unless an overfill occurs. This has never happened with mine. I think the design is really good in that nothing can jam the float switch, being out of water.

Also using the apex for my cal reactor, which ensures correct ph in the reactor. I couldn't imagine running a reactor without one. Pair that along with the variable speed port on the apex which is used in conjunction with a jebao pump adapter which allows me to run custom wave programs..... So I'm an apex fan. I feel that the controller helps me monitor and doesn't make me complacent. Quite the opposite as I check parameters through the day from anywhere.

Sorry for the long response!

 

[TrishW]

I love my Tunze Osmolator too. One day I will have controller....and a Tesla

 

[gcrawford]

I love my Tunze Osmolator too. One day I will have controller....and a Tesla

Controllers are great.... I want a Chevy Volt. My brother has one and it's too cool. He can check its stats on his iPhone.

 

[Alabamareef]

Let Harry build you a controller. I've seen his and its amazing someone can put all that together.........My Apex has saved me a few times. Love the water on the floor switches and the ability to check everything even when I'm gone.

 

[samba_dad]

Something similar happened to me even with the redundant float switch under Apex control. The 1/4" ATO water line became unattached from my holder and was dumping all the water over the edge of the sump. I only discovered the issue the next morning when I noticed I did not receive an "off" message after the "on" message in my email. The next morning, I learned how to program a timer, sound an alarm, email and text me if the ATO system ever is pumping water for more than 3 minutes (time it typically takes to top off). After reading your post, I am worried about getting "critters" covering my snail guard covering. I guess nothing is fail safe.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I had a similar accident before. My kitty cat fished out my calcium reactor outflow line from my sump and I had a flood inside my tank stand. I remember seeing my cat looking at my sump in the corner of my eye and did not think to recheck what he's done. My failsafe system (me) failed miserably. The line is securely tied down now.