ATO problem

firefightered

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Almost had a major flood on my hardwwod floor. Problem: ATO pump shut off like it was suppose to (aqua lifter) but the water kept flowing. Anyone have a quick fix for this?
 
Sounds like it siphoned off. Have the outlet hose from the aqualifter remain above the water level in the ATO reservoir by suspending the tubing somehow. It will make a little bit of noise when the ATO kicks on as water drips into the sump, but it certainly beats a flood. Another option would be an inline check valve, but they fail fairly often as water deposits build up, so I'd avoid using one.
 
I have the pump above the ato bucket. Are you saying the hose exit needs to be agove the ato bucket as well?
Sounds like it siphoned off. Have the outlet hose from the aqualifter remain above the water level in the ATO reservoir by suspending the tubing somehow. It will make a little bit of noise when the ATO kicks on as water drips into the sump, but it certainly beats a flood. Another option would be an inline check valve, but they fail fairly often as water deposits build up, so I'd avoid using one.
 
I have the pump above the ato bucket. Are you saying the hose exit needs to be above the ato bucket as well?
Yep, if the outlet is below the water level, it will create a siphon. Raise the end of the outlet hose up and it should alleviate your problem.
 


Right the end that feeds the tank needs to be out of the water or it will back feed the reservoir once the feed pump turns off unless a check valve is used.. I do not recomend a check valve because they fail.


Also the reservoir needs to be lower than the output or you will gravity feeding the tank once the pump turns off.

Dave Polzin
 
I will rig something up when I get home in the morning. With being a firefighter for 22 yrs you would think I would have thought of that..........:tongue:
 
The aqualifter is supposed to be an anti siphon pump. Sounds like you have a problem with your aqualifter. You might also try a 50ml/hr dosing pump instead. They are anti-siphon, when they are off the water tube is completely blocked. BRS offers a nice one for $79.
 
I run kalk in my ato. Do you think that could have caused a problem with the pump? Should I flush the pump every once in a while?
 
As previously stated, if your ATO outlet is below the waterline of your sump (submerged) then a back siphon will be created and sump water will be drawn back into your sump, if your ATO reservoir is high above you sump water line when this siphon is created water will flow from your ATO into your sump until the waterlines are at equal height or one is empty which ever comes first. The only way to stop a siphon when it starts is to break the siphon or have the water levels reach equilibrium. If you have your outlet hanging above the waterline, all back siphon issues should be eliminated since when the pump "closes" all flow should stop....you do want your aqualifter above the waterline too.

Edit: I have no idea why iPhone autotext replaces some of the words I type with others, like sump with sumo
 
My aqau lifter was 1ft above my sump and ato bucket. My water line going into my sump is 3" above my water line (in sump) My ato bucket and sump are about the same level. When the pump turned off the water kept dripping at a fast pace but not as fast as if the pump was still running. I did find a partial crimp in my fill line but I don't believe that was my problem. I diconnected the fill line from the pump and then put it back on (stopped leaking) turned pump back on then off (started leaking again). did this 2 more times and it quit leaking. Turned ato off till I figure this out.
Aqua lifter is about 2 months old.
 
An aqualifter is a water only pulp. You should not be running any kalk or alk or anything else thru it. It sounds like the pump is damaged. It is designed to shut off and completely stop the flow of water thru it. I would by a new one and dise the kalk seperatly. Aqualifters are so delicate that they require a prefilter if your water is not pristine.
 
I did take it apart and found it to be a little dirty. I cleaned it up and then placed the discharge hose above the ato bucket. Everything seems to be working fine for now. Keep our fingers crossed till I can find something diff,\.
An aqualifter is a water only pulp. You should not be running any kalk or alk or anything else thru it. It sounds like the pump is damaged. It is designed to shut off and completely stop the flow of water thru it. I would by a new one and dise the kalk seperatly. Aqualifters are so delicate that they require a prefilter if your water is not pristine.
 

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