Attention Tech Minds

RMS18 · Oct 10, 2016

I'm hoping someone out there can help with this, it's a shot in the dark.

I have a Hydor ATO does anyone think there is a way to modify the unit so that it turns on the pump any time the max water level sensor is not activated?

Currently the water level has to drop below the mac and the minimum water level before the system turns on the pump. I'd like it so once through max level no longer detects water it turns the pump on. [emoji2]

cromag27 · Oct 10, 2016

Why would you want that?

RMS18 · Oct 10, 2016

cromag08 said:
Why would you want that?

To have a more consistent water level.

dbl · Oct 11, 2016

Just thinking out loud, and not sure if it will work, but can you rotate/turn/angle the sensor just slightly so the difference between the max and min points is lessened? I realize this will also change the alarm sensor which may or may not be an issue. If you don't have a lot of turbulence near the sensor you may get away with it.

RMS18 · Oct 11, 2016

dbl said:
Just thinking out loud, and not sure if it will work, but can you rotate/turn/angle the sensor just slightly so the difference between the max and min points is lessened? I realize this will also change the alarm sensor which may or may not be an issue. If you don't have a lot of turbulence near the sensor you may get away with it.

I like thinking out loud your the only one lol. The min and max are fixed on the sensor unit. See picture

RMS18 · Oct 11, 2016

dbl said:
Just thinking out loud, and not sure if it will work, but can you rotate/turn/angle the sensor just slightly so the difference between the max and min points is lessened? I realize this will also change the alarm sensor which may or may not be an issue. If you don't have a lot of turbulence near the sensor you may get away with it.

I was thinking what if I put something on the low min sensor to block out the temp so the unit always thinks the min level is not there...

cromag27 · Oct 11, 2016

You're asking for something past it's capabilities. look into the spectrapure atos if you want precise control.

reeferfoxx · Oct 11, 2016

Bmwm235i said:
I was thinking what if I put something on the low min sensor to block out the temp so the unit always thinks the min level is not there...

Errr... I have this ATO and my salinity swing is like 1.0261 - 1.0265

RMS18 · Oct 11, 2016

cromag08 said:
You're asking for something past it's capabilities. look into the spectrapure atos if you want precise control.

That's on my list for xmas but right now I don't have the $200 for that system.

dbl · Oct 11, 2016

Bmwm235i said:
I like thinking out loud your the only one lol. The min and max are fixed on the sensor unit. See picture

I understand as I used to have one. Here's what I was thinking; again I have no idea if it will work...

In all likelyhood you have it mounted where the sensors are "parallel" to the bottom of the sump. I'm suggesting rotating the sensor clockwise so the sensors are at a 45 or more degrees to the bottom. Like the picture below. It will reduce the distance between the two sensors as it relates to the water line. You can play with just how much to rotate if it even works at all.

Joey waid · Oct 11, 2016

Have you tried looking in the controller and see if you can cut the return on the max. You might be able to move the alarm return to the max return in. You have the same low and the alarm is the new max.

RMS18 · Oct 11, 2016

dbl said:
I understand as I used to have one. Here's what I was thinking; again I have no idea if it will work...

In all likelyhood you have it mounted where the sensors are "parallel" to the bottom of the sump. I'm suggesting rotating the sensor clockwise so the sensors are at a 45 or more degrees to the bottom. Like the picture below. It will reduce the distance between the two sensors as it relates to the water line. You can play with just how much to rotate if it even works at all.

I understand what your saying now... I will try this.

dbl · Oct 11, 2016

Bmwm235i said:
I understand what your saying now... I will try this.

Please report back and let us know if works or if my thinking out loud simply exposed my own stupidity!!!

RMS18 · Oct 11, 2016

Joey waid said:
Have you tried looking in the controller and see if you can cut the return on the max. You might be able to move the alarm return to the max return in. You have the same low and the alarm is the new max.

I have not opened the controller up yet. Maybe I could try disconnecting the low and see what happens. Then maybe it will always active the pump anytime the max is not activated. I think the max is the shut off.

Chris Adams · Oct 11, 2016

is this in your sump return area? How big is the area that it is in?
how big of a swing could you possibly have?

RMS18 · Oct 11, 2016

Chris Adams said:
is this in your sump return area? How big is the area that it is in?
how big of a swing could you possibly have?

Yes it's in the return area. I didn't want to wrote out my whole story as I have already explored and shared my setup in another section on this forum. Short version is my tank is a 29 gallon so 30in long, stand is deep blue 32 inch long about. My sump is the biggest I could get for the stand, my skimmer does not fit in any chamber but the return. So the water level fluctuates in the return which throws the skimmer level off and does not skim right. Water level drops any inch before pump turns on. That is the difference of the skimmer bubbling to the correct level when water level is right vs 4 inches below when water level is low. So if I could keep it more consistent my skimmer will function better.

Joey waid · Oct 11, 2016

Might be just easier to rethink the whole ato. Maybe use a float switch, they are cheap. Or some how divide your sump so you skimmer and return pump are in two different chambers.

Chris Adams · Oct 11, 2016

Is that plastic piece solid?

RMS18 · Oct 11, 2016

Joey waid said:
Might be just easier to rethink the whole ato. Maybe use a float switch, they are cheap. Or some how divide your sump so you skimmer and return pump are in two different chambers.

No way to change the sump set up, it's a aqueon sump. The sump is what it is, and the stand is what it is. Untill I have the funds for the spectrapure ato I want to mess with the hydor. I'm going to try unplugging the low level sensor and see what happens. [emoji2]