Auto top up problem

[FRANK48]

My auto top up keeps filling my sump too much causing my salinity to drop like crazy. I have reef factory atu.

 

[T-J]

Is your top off water higher than the line running into your sump? That will cause as siphon.
Have you watched the ATO turn on/off? Is it not stopping when it hits the sensor?

 

[FRANK48]

Is your top off water higher than the line running into your sump? That will cause as siphon.
Have you watched the ATO turn on/off? Is it not stopping when it hits the sensor?

When you say higher than my line what do you mean exactly. Could you show me yours?

 

[Uncle99]

Are you saying that the ATO fills above the sensors?
more detail is necessary to help.

 

[FRANK48]

Are you saying that the ATO fills above the sensors?
more detail is necessary to help.

Yes

 

[Uncle99]

Is your water level in your return area stable, except for evaporation? Fluctuating water levels can result in overfills.

Where is your sensors located?


What sensors are you using to detect, low water?

Better, can you post a pic of yours?

 

[T-J]

When you say higher than my line what do you mean exactly. Could you show me yours?

Your water reservoir needs to be lower than your sump, so you don't create a siphon when the ATO pump shuts off.

 

[FRANK48]

Is your water level in your return area stable, except for evaporation? Fluctuating water levels can result in overfills.

Where is your sensors located?


What sensors are you using to detect, low water?

Better, can you post a pic of yours?

 

[Uncle99]

Is this a new install of an ATO?

or did this problem just occurred?

Looks like two mechanical sensors?

 

[Uncle99]

And like T-J posted…….where’s the reservoir located in relation to where the tube that fills comes out.

 

[BoxKing]

The mechanical sensors should not be setup at the same level.
There should be a high/low set point - set them 1/2" different from top to bottom and your problem should be resolved...

 

[Kongar]

So here’s an old pic, on an aio, which probably doesn’t match most people’s system - but it’s a picture that can illustrate the siphon issue. (You asked for a pic).

See the clear ato reservoir behind my tank? See the water level and how the reservoir isn’t filled all the way to the top? That’s because the water level of the reservoir can’t be higher than the end of the tube that fills your tank/sump. In my case you can see the black tube going into the top of the back chambers of my tank. If I filled my ato all the way up, the level would be above the level of that tube, and that means a siphon would start as soon as the ato started - no different than how my gravel siphon works into a 5gal bucket on the floor during a water change. IF I filled my ato reservoir all the way up, then the siphon action would overfill my tank - even though the ato shut off. In my case, water would probably end up on the floor. So I make sure I don’t fill my reservoir up too much.

People are asking about this because it’s a) a common mistake, and b) the most likely reason for your ato overfilling.

hope this helps

 

[FRANK48]

So here’s an old pic, on an aio, which probably doesn’t match most people’s system - but it’s a picture that can illustrate the siphon issue. (You asked for a pic).

See the clear ato reservoir behind my tank? See the water level and how the reservoir isn’t filled all the way to the top? That’s because the water level of the reservoir can’t be higher than the end of the tube that fills your tank/sump. In my case you can see the black tube going into the top of the back chambers of my tank. If I filled my ato all the way up, the level would be above the level of that tube, and that means a siphon would start as soon as the ato started - no different than how my gravel siphon works into a 5gal bucket on the floor during a water change. IF I filled my ato reservoir all the way up, then the siphon action would overfill my tank - even though the ato shut off. In my case, water would probably end up on the floor. So I make sure I don’t fill my reservoir up too much.

People are asking about this because it’s a) a common mistake, and b) the most likely reason for your ato overfilling.

hope this helps

Would be okay if I had to pipe going straight to my main tank

 

[FRANK48]

The mechanical sensors should not be setup at the same level.
There should be a high/low set point - set them 1/2" different from top to bottom and your problem should be resolved...

Could you explain more?

 

[Kongar]

Would be okay if I had to pipe going straight to my main tank

Doesn't matter where or what it goes to, the point still remains valid. If the water level of your reservoir is higher than the end of that pipe/tube/whatever, it'll pull a siphon, and that'll cause overfilling.

But looking back at your picture - it does appear your sensors are off. There's a couple of different types, but I don't believe there's any where the two sensors should be at the same level. I'd start there by figuring out what each sensor does, and set them apart accordingly. It's worth checking to make sure your reservoir water level is lower as well. Sometimes there's multiple causes for a single issue

Good luck!

 

[Kongar]

Could you explain more?

So on my Tunze, there's one sensor that you put at the high of "where you want the water level to be" The second sensor is a shutoff sensor that's supposed to be set HIGHER than the first. It's there as a backup "if the water hits this level - I'm shutting off no matter what because it's too high"

Other types work like this: One sensor is the "turn the ATO ON" becasue the water level is too low. The other is "put this one at the height where you want the pump to turn OFF" So the on switch is lower than the off switch. Dunno your particular model, but that's why it looks funny in your picture. Can't imagine why'd you'd need two sensors at the same level - indicating it's probably not right.

Good luck

 

[FRANK48]

Thank you