How do YOU protect against an ATO dump

djbetterly · Dec 16, 2016

Came home last night to an overflowing tank after my ATO dumped about 6 gallons into my tank.

I've ordered a bunch of float switches to incorporate into my Apex BOB to hopefully prevent this in the future.

Needless to say, as of this morning half of my coral have died, as well as my anemone. So heartbreaking to see this happen.

ahiggins · Dec 16, 2016

Im sorry that happened to you.
The way I protect against it wont help you very much...I dont use an ATO. My biggest tank is a 40. I just add a little DI once a day. Its more work but I rent and cant afford an "oops" moment.

BigJim · Dec 16, 2016

I don't have anything set up myself, but I know others use the Apex salinity probe and/or leak detection sensors as protection. Basically it shuts off the outlet the ATO is plugged into if salinity gets too low or the leak sensor detects a leak. I intend to do this at some point as well since I had a less significant ATO issue myself last week.

DeniseAndy · Dec 16, 2016

I kept having an issue with electronic top offs, so I use the old float valve. However, I have the room for it in the sump and a shelf above the tank for the top off barrel. Not everyone has that option.

So, I would just have a backup sensor in place.

andrew james · Dec 16, 2016

I use 2 floats, many leak sensors and the conductivity probe to guard against overflow. In Apex I set them all the shut off the ATO pump if anything goes outside of the norm.

Here is what my ATO config looks like,

SW4 & 6 are floats
SWx are leak sensors
Output DOS_eAWC dumps 10g as quickly as possible. There is other programming tied to this but basically it dumps 10g in case of emergency.
Salt is conductivity

If Sw4 OPEN Then OFF
If Sw6 OPEN Then OFF
If Swx3_1 CLOSED Then OFF
If Swx3_2 CLOSED Then OFF
If Swx3_3 CLOSED Then OFF
If Swx3_4 CLOSED Then OFF
If Output DOS_eAWC_10 = ON Then DOS_eAWC_10
If Salt < 34 Then Off

Mo-sachi · Dec 16, 2016

Painful situation. What has helped me greatly is that my sump can take almost 10g of water before overflowing and my ATO reservoir is only 7g. Not sure if you have that option, but it certainly is a piece of mind.

djbetterly · Dec 16, 2016

Definitely working on a bunch of "peace of mind" options. Sadly I have all the gadgets to do it, but I just moved and between work being crazy, the holidays and family in town I neglected to install all of that.

Jerel · Dec 16, 2016

Max run time has been assigned for my ATO, which is fed by a dosing pump.

I also have a backup floater sensor right above the optical ATO/Auto Water Change sensor.

GHL ProfiLux controlled !

redfishbluefish · Dec 16, 2016

Simply use two float switches wired in series, with one switch off-set.

I show how to DIY that HERE. If you have an APEX, you don't need the relay part.

Oh, and sorry for your losses. That always hurts.

glagunda · Dec 16, 2016

I loose about a gallon per day. Have a aqua lifter hooked up to a timer for 16 minutes which gives me 1 gallon. I have that attached to a 5 gallon bucket. works well refill the bucket every 5 days.

Salty1962 · Dec 16, 2016

I also use my APEX to control my ATO. I have it set with a timer and have an ALD setup with the sensors to shut if it tank overflows.

djbetterly · Dec 16, 2016

twilliard · Dec 16, 2016

Oh Dustin what is going on over there!
Man that is a bummer

djbetterly · Dec 16, 2016

Well the cause is something I've only experienced once before, a bubble gets trapped in the overflow downspout and slows the flow into the sump causing the ATO to trigger. The only way to release the bubble is to shut down the return pump. Had I not been so busy and installed my conductivity probe I wouldn't have this issue as my Apex would have notified me of the issue. Too many life issues at the moment, and honestly, in the big scheme of things this is pretty minor. Staying positive though!!

twilliard · Dec 16, 2016

djbetterly said:
Well the cause is something I've only experienced once before, a bubble gets trapped in the overflow downspout and slows the flow into the sump causing the ATO to trigger. The only way to release the bubble is to shut down the return pump. Had I not been so busy and installed my conductivity probe I wouldn't have this issue as my Apex would have notified me of the issue. Too many life issues at the moment, and honestly, in the big scheme of things this is pretty minor. Staying positive though!!

Right on bud stay positive!
We all learn how to refine systems based on errors

drawman · Dec 16, 2016

Sorry for your loss that sucks. Good time to regroup and add your fail safes. Keep your head up!

alyee5 · Dec 16, 2016

djbetterly said:
ALD?

APEX's Auto Leak Detector

Midrats · Dec 16, 2016

I have a Litermeter dialed in to my evaporation. No switches or floats to fail. I have to make small adjustments when the seasons change but that's no biggie. I've been doing it this way since the Nineties without fail.

tankstudy · Dec 16, 2016

I actually calculate how much water it will take to overflow the tank or change salinity by +/- .002 and set the ATO water reservoir to that number. For example, my Nuvo 20 is hooked up to 1 gallon of water only. Even if it dumped itself completely my tank will hold that extra 1 gallon and the salinity will also not drop in to dangerous zones. I do have to refill the ATO a little more often but I never ever ever ever ever ever have to worry about any type of ATO failure.