Help with JBJ ATO

James M · Nov 13, 2018

So I came back from a 4 days trip and the ato failed to do its job but Both resivor and in tank sensors are working . I push the In tank sensor up and water come out the hose into the tank. Why is that ?

cromag27 · Nov 13, 2018

how long did you have this set up for? was it functioning properly before? did you confirm the mode button didnt get switched by accident? are you sure the correct float switches are plugged into the correct sensor ports?

James M · Nov 13, 2018

I had since October 11
Worked perfectly before and haven’t touched since I set it up on the 11th.
Both switches are plugged in correctly

cromag27 · Nov 13, 2018

sounds like the controller is bad if everything has been verified. just for testing purposes, i’d switch the floats around (and ports) just to see what happens.

James M · Nov 13, 2018

Okay I switched them and the same thing as before

cromag27 · Nov 13, 2018

sounds like a bad controller. don’t like the quality of jbj or even tunze for that matter.

James M · Nov 13, 2018

Thank you for the help !!This is terrible timing as I was supposed to hold off on spending money for the tank and buy Christmas gifts instead...

cromag27 · Nov 13, 2018

James M said:
Thank you for the help !!This is terrible timing as I was supposed to hold off on spending money for the tank and buy Christmas gifts instead...

how big is the tank? can you manually top off in the meantime?

James M · Nov 13, 2018

cromag27 said:
how big is the tank? can you manually top off in the meantime?

20 gallon but I’m going to be traveling soon again. What about the smart ATO ?

cromag27 · Nov 13, 2018

James M said:
20 gallon but I’m going to be traveling soon again. What about the smart ATO ?

have heard good things but not sure of longevity.

wesman42 · Nov 13, 2018

Contact JBJ before you scrap it. There might be a reset under the hood somewhere...I believe there might also be a battery? I have no clue but I'd check.

DesertReefT4r · Nov 13, 2018

So if you trigger the float switch in the sump nothing happens/pump does not turn on? Have you checked the pump to see if its working, checked the hoses for leaks or blockage. If all is good then the control head is most likely bad.

James M · Nov 13, 2018

wesman42 said:
Contact JBJ before you scrap it. There might be a reset under the hood somewhere...I believe there might also be a battery? I have no clue but I'd check.

Contacted them for a replacement then selling the brand new one.

DesertReefT4r said:
So if you trigger the float switch in the sump nothing happens/pump does not turn on? Have you checked the pump to see if its working, checked the hoses for leaks or blockage. If all is good then the control head is most likely bad.

If I trigger the switch water goes into the back chamber. The pump and switches work

Potatohead · Nov 13, 2018

James M said:
I push the In tank sensor up and water come out the hose into the tank. Why is that ?

I'm confused, isn't that what is supposed to happen?

Edit - Ok so you are lifting the float switch to turn it on? You either have it in the wrong mode, or you can just flip the float switch around and it will work the other way.

wesman42 · Nov 13, 2018

Potatohead said:
I'm confused, isn't that what is supposed to happen?

Edit - Ok so you are lifting the float switch to turn it on? You either have it in the wrong mode, or you can just flip the float switch around and it will work the other way.

This^

James M · Nov 13, 2018

Potatohead said:
I'm confused, isn't that what is supposed to happen?

Edit - Ok so you are lifting the float switch to turn it on? You either have it in the wrong mode, or you can just flip the float switch around and it will work the other way.

Do you have the jbj ato ?

Potatohead · Nov 13, 2018

James M said:
Do you have the jbj ato ?

Yes I do. Been using it about 18 months or so.

aslmx · Nov 13, 2018

James M said:
Do you have the jbj ato ?

I do. Ive had the same one for 6 years. I use one float in the sump. Float down and pump is on. Float up and pump goes off. Don’t listen to the hype. Jbj is a good ato controller.

Potatohead · Nov 13, 2018

I have mine set up so one lower switch triggers the pump and the other switch sits about 1/4" higher to turn it off if the lower switch ever fails to float and it keeps pumping. I do not use one in the reservoir.

wesman42 · Nov 13, 2018

It might be worth taking a look at the instructions and also deconstructing it all.

1. Remove ALL sensors from their positions and their outlets (since they're interchangeable it doesn't matter which is which, only where they're plugged in.

2. Un plug the JBJ unit.

3. place floats back into their positions and plug them back in according to the instructions found here:http://jbjaquariums.com/media/ATOManual.pdf

Also, as mentioned, the floats can be reversed. There is a little plastic ring on the bottom of the float switch. You can pop it off (it's a clip), then take the float off, turn it around and put it back on the pole, then reseat the clip. This should reverse the polarity, allowing for the water to be filled then the sensor is low rather than high.