ATO Siphon Issue

[Marco S]

I just installed my IM 15 gallon ATO using the Tunze Osmolator 3155 and regardless of where I position the return line in the sump it forms a siphon and continues to trickle until the alarm sounds. Since the ATO water level is higher than any place on my sump when it is full, I will not be able to put the return in the sump so the only option is to run it up to the tank and I guess I am okay with that, (I guess I have to be is more like it).

My question is, should I move the sensor up to the display as well? My concern is that it takes some time for the water level in the sump to adjust to the amount of water being pumped in and I am afraid it won't shut off in time and the alarm will be going off every time it adds water. Is there a way around this for those who run the line to their DT???

Any help is appreciated!

 

[reef lover]

If you cant keep the hose higher than the top off container level than you can use a backflow preventer/check valve in the line.

 

[BigHildy53]

The sensor can stay in the sump, the ATO should deliver the water to the display tank. The ATO water delivery hose should not be under water.

 

[Marco S]

If you cant keep the hose higher than the top off container level than you can use a backflow preventer/check valve in the line.

I have used those for airlines in my freshwater tank and the way I understand them is that it stops water from flowing back into the line. I do not want to stop water from flowing back into the ATO, I want to stop the siphon flowing forward into my sump after the pump shuts off, but still allow water to flow while the pump is on. So installing this on the line flowing back will not help and installing it backwards will prevent water from flowing into my sump. If I am misunderstanding this, please explain how it will help in my situation.

Edit: To clarify a bit, my problem is the siphon from the ATO to the Sump, not a back flow from the sump to the ATO. A check valve would prevent the back flow from the sump to the ATO not help with a siphon from the ATO to the sump...

 

[WVNed]

My hose is clamped to the top of my reservoir and shoots water down into the return section of the sump where the sensor is. The end is always higher than the water in the reservoir.

 

[C. A. M.]

Ran into a similar problem. I raised the output of the ATO (using a length of plastic and placed the tube attachment onto it) and then used a larger diameter tube to "guide" the water into the sump to prevent splashing.

 

[C. A. M.]

Ran into a similar problem. I raised the output of the ATO (using a length of plastic and placed the tube attachment onto it) and then used a larger diameter tube to "guide" the water into the sump to prevent splashing.

 

[Marco S]

My hose is clamped to the top of my reservoir and shoots water down into the return section of the sump where the sensor is. The end is always higher than the water in the reservoir.

That's great for you, but my end is lower than the reservoir so I am not sure how that helps me...

The only way I could install it higher would be to hang it from the top of my cabinet and let it splash everywhere or just put it in the DT, which I already did. I was asking specifically about the placement of the sensor since the return line is going into my DT instead of the sump.

 

[Marco S]

Ran into a similar problem. I raised the output of the ATO (using a length of plastic and placed the tube attachment onto it) and then used a larger diameter tube to "guide" the water into the sump to prevent splashing.

Can you post a picture of your setup please? This may be doable for me.

 

[vic5hands]

Install a Check Valve

 

[Marco S]

Install a Check Valve

Please explain how this would help???

A check valve prevents water from flowing back, I need to stop a siphon from being created forward.

 

[Mical]

You could always put an anti-flow back valve inside the top of your ATO reservoir. I used a mur-lok fitting (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mur-lok-ro-straight-union-push-connect.html) and drilled a small hole in the side of it. When pump is on it pumps water to sump until it reaches sensor level, when it stops the hole in mur-lok fitting breaks the syphon.

 

[5altkreep]

Unless im misunderstanding, you want the sensor in your return chamber, as that's the section where your water will fluctuate.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Not sure if this helps.

Could maybe do a siphon break. At the highest point on my line befor the water flows down I put a t with an air line that runs up. After done pumping the air breaks the siphon

Kinda hard to see. The black tube comes from the ATO pump. There is a T separating the black to the white that feeds the stirrer. The t line runs up the back of the tank.

 

[Journeyman]

Leave the sensor in the sump. Put the return up in the overflow at the display above the water line.

Fresh water goes directly into the overflow back to the sump and it's higher than ato tank so no siphon.

 

[Marco S]

You could always put an anti-flow back valve inside the top of your ATO reservoir. I used a mur-lok fitting (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mur-lok-ro-straight-union-push-connect.html) and drilled a small hole in the side of it. When pump is on it pumps water to sump until it reaches sensor level, when it stops the hole in mur-lok fitting breaks the syphon.

Great! I may consider this for a long term solution. For now I guess I will just keep the line running up to my DT and the sensor in the sump.

Thanks!

 

[Marco S]

Not sure if this helps.

Could maybe do a siphon break. At the highest point on my line befor the water flows down I put a t with an air line that runs up. After done pumping the air breaks the siphon

Kinda hard to see. The black tube comes from the ATO pump. There is a T separating the black to the white that feeds the stirrer. The t line runs up the back of the tank.

Thanks for the pic, and the idea. How long is the line that runs up the back of the tank and has water ever flowed up it?

 

[Marco S]

Leave the sensor in the sump. Put the return up in the overflow at the display above the water line.

Fresh water goes directly into the overflow back to the sump and it's higher than ato tank so no siphon.

That's how I have it now. I was just worried that the small amount of time it takes for the water level in the sump to match the amount of new water being pumped in would trigger the alarm when it leveled out. But after thinking about it, I couldn't put the sensor in the DT even if I wanted to because the water level is never consistent with the power heads making waves.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Thanks for the pic, and the idea. How long is the line that runs up the back of the tank and has water ever flowed up it?

The line has to be high enough above the reservoir and the sump to suck air.

I run the line to the top of the tank in back and clipped it on. Water has never gone up it. There would not be enough pressure to pump the water up. So any water that does start to creep up the air line will not make it all the way, once the pump shuts off it will suck in the air and break the siphon. I ran mine up the back and over into the tank as a safety measure, even though not needed. Never failed

Edit, I should correct myself, if for some reason the exit line to feed the sump got blocked it may creep up the air line. That is why I put the air line hooked over the back into my tank. If it flow up, it will dump into the tank

 

[Marco S]

The line has to be high enough above the reservoir and the sump to suck air.

I run the line to the top of the tank in back and clipped it on. Water has never gone up it. There would not be enough pressure to pump the water up. So any water that does start to creep up the air line will not make it all the way, once the pump shuts off it will suck in the air and break the siphon. I ran mine up the back and over into the tank as a safety measure, even though not needed. Never failed

Thanks! I actually have the connector you are using and some extra line, so I can try this out tonight.