Can someone suggest improving my ATO settings?

[ilyad]

I am using the Profilux 4 and one pump from my Doser 2.1 slave for ATO. I am also using 2 level sensors (optical and float).

As it stands right now, my settings are as follows:

Following the video tutorial on their YouTube channel, here is my set up. I believe sensor 1/2 is the optical sensor which is on the bottom of my sump level (the level where I want the sump to be) and sensor 3/4 is the float sensor (the emergency shut off level).

My intention was to set up pump one of my slave doser to top off the water to the optical sensor level, and maintain the water there. I then wanted the float sensor as the back up shut off in the event the optical sensor fails and the ATO does not shut off.

The ATO function appears to work mostly correct except for tree issues.

First, when I float fish or coral in the tank and the sump level triggers the float max level alarm, the ato function seems to not reactivate back when I remove the bags with extra water until I reset the alarm.

Second, when I find that my salinity is a bit high, I tend to just pull out a few cups of tank water and let the ATO add the RO. However, when the max time on is exceeded, it once again triggers the alarm and no longer tops off until the alarm is reset.

Finally, I noticed that the optical sensor is very sensitive in that the level drops slightly, where the ATO is activated for a few seconds and then turns off. Then after a few minutes it does that again.

I am worried that the constant on off of the pump will wear it out too soon. Is there a way I can make it so that the ATO sensor is either delayed for some time to allow for a bit more to evaporate? Or to over fill the RO by a bit? Or a combination of the both? It’s a 75 gallon tank so it can go a bit more with some evaporation or extra RO without actually effecting the water level too much. And as a result significantly reducing the ware on the pump.

Lastly, is there a way to set up the alarms such that it can do the following: 1. If I’m topping off the RO, and it reaches the max time to stop. Then after some time to check the level again and resume pumping? Since I am using the dosing pump to top off, if it accidentally runs dry, there shouldn’t be damage to the pump. 2. That if max fill time alarm is triggered several times (let’s say 3 or 4 times) that only then it stop attempting to top off. In the event my ato container is emptying, I don’t want the pump to keep trying to top off all day long. And 3. If the max level alarm is triggered, that it auto check and reset itself so that once the floating bags are removed the ato function resumes normal function. However, if the max level remains in effect, ato would continue to be deactivated.

Thank you!

 

[reef lover]

Bump ! Someones gotta use this system!

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA Verified Sponsor]

Based on what you're trying to do, Min-Max is not the ideal function.
Min-Max is used ONLY when you want to allow the water level to drop to the lower sensor. When it does, the ATO will turn ON and stay ON until it hits the upper sensor. If the max on-time limit expires, it will trigger the fail safe and activate the alarm. That is why you're having "problem 1 & 2".

Since you're looking to only use a single sensor for the ATO task, you should be using the Auto Top Off function instead of Min-Max. Make sure to choose the correct sensor number you want to use for this task, Optical.

In order to turn OFF the ATO task in case the normal ATO function and built-in failsafe fails, you will want to select a new control circuit (#2) and set the function to Leakage Detection.
We have a video on how to set it up:

Since you want to have both the ATO and Leak detection function assigned to the same outlet, you will need to create a Programmable Logic function. Steps for doing that is also in the video above.

Lastly, problem #3 is easily addressed by increasing the reaction time of the desired sensor.

 

[ilyad]

Odd that I didn’t get an alert about the response. But I’ll give those a try. Thank you Vinny!

 

[ilyad]

@Vinny@GHLUSA The steps you provided appear to be working... I have set up as instructed and it seems so far that its pretty much what I wanted. I'll have to wait and see how the ATO pump works out, as the maximum delay is only 60 seconds. I'll keep people posted if the frequency is normal and not too frequent.

As a side benefit, I was also able to use the tutorial linked above to set up a back up shut off with the float sensor for my skimmer. Now it automatically shuts off when the sump level rises too high when I turn off the return (on the small occasions I do) or if I float fish and coral in the tank. This is much better than overflowing the skimmer.