ATO woes...

Dowtish · Sep 12, 2012

So recently I have noticed that anytime I unplug my ATO, which is a JBJ btw, to remove equipment from the sump, or I'm pulling water out of the tank from selling frags etc. That when I plug it back in, the ATO doesnt work. The light will show that it is running the pump, but it isnt. So I turn the power off, pull the float switch connecters out and then put them back in. This usually does the trick. But it is bothering me that it is happening at all.

So, yesterday I come home to my HOB overflow being clogged, and my tank is about overflow. My sump is full as well, and most of my ATO resevoir is empty.:sad: So, my salinity had dropped about 3 points. So in order to to get it back up slowly, I pulled all the fresh water out of the resevoir, and added fresh salt water to top off. Sounds like a good plan, until I get up this morning hearing my ATO running constantly. I run back to the tank, and the sump is almost full, and about to spill on the floor! There was only a little bit of saltwater in the resevoir, thank god, but either way it's done,toast,finished...

I called JBJ this morning to see about the issue, but I havent heard back. I dont even care if it's just the switches that need to be replaced, I just ordered a Tunze Osmilator for the low low price of $207! But I know that I wont EVER has this issue again.

OK, I'm done now, thanks for stopping by.:blah::blah:

dwilliams87 · Sep 12, 2012

Ouch, is everything OK in the tank so far?

ToXIc · Sep 12, 2012

Dangit!

What did the salinity go up to?

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gmoney243 · Sep 12, 2012

Dang bro that sux hope everything makes it

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Dowtish · Sep 12, 2012

I had to run out to work, so I dont know what my salinity is, but there was just enough in there that it couldnt have raised it anymore than 1.028 or so. I will check asap. But I really dont think I'm going to lose anything from this, probably just lose a little color on some acros.

ironworker · Sep 12, 2012

great.. just what i wanted to hear. i just got one of these units. how old was yours when it failed. also arent they suppose to time out after 3min 45 sec

Dave3112 · Sep 12, 2012

I had the same problem with my JBJ at about 18 months...Sorry to hear this. I just manually top off now. I know it's a PITA but I know I won't overflow my sump.

Dowtish · Sep 12, 2012

ironworker said:
great.. just what i wanted to hear. i just got one of these units. how old was yours when it failed. also arent they suppose to time out after 3min 45 sec

I dont how old mine was since I bought it used. The timer does shut it off at that point, but that would have overflowed my sump anyways. They are decent units, and I have heard plenty of folks using them for 2-3 years without any issues, but you have to make sure your float valves are maintained. The magnets on them are cheap IMO, and that is where the failure usually is. Or if they get calcium build up on them etc.

bknapp · Sep 12, 2012

Grrrreat... I used the JBJ on my tank instead of the one with the RKL. Hope I don't have the same issues as you, glad that you've got it resolved.

palvyre · Sep 13, 2012

I'll be getting the Tunze when I put my ATO together.

Dowtish · Sep 13, 2012

bknapp said:
Grrrreat... I used the JBJ on my tank instead of the one with the RKL. Hope I don't have the same issues as you, glad that you've got it resolved.

I'm not saying the JBJ is a horrible ATO. It's not. But with anything automated, there is always a chance of failure. Especially when it comes to float switches. And with the Tunze, they dont use the typical float switches. They use a sensor that is not submerged, and have a float switch just in case that fails. Which, if you do some research on them, you will not find anyone saying their Tunze failed and flooded their house.

pickupman66 · Sep 13, 2012

I have had the best of luck with both of my home made systems. the first was gravity fed with a float valve. it worked wonderfully. never had a single overflow in 4 years. the system I have now uses a home made float switch and an aqualifter pump. works very well for me.

fsu1dolfan · Sep 13, 2012

Dowtish - Sucks what happened but glad to hear no massive overflow. This has always made me leery of ATO's...i have always thought if i did buy one, i need to go for the best and most point at Tunze.

Dowtish · Sep 13, 2012

Well the good news is, after the overflow got stopped up and it dumped all the freshwater, it knocked my salinity down to 1.023, then when it got stuck in the on position and dumped all the saltwater it went back up to 1.027, and when I got home yesterday all my corals looked just fine and dandy. So essentially it swung from 1.026 down to 1.023, and then back up to 1.027 in a very short period. So maybe I will be lucky and not suffer any color loss. Crossing my fingers....