How often does your ATO kick on and for how long?

[JCOLE]

Hello everyone!

I installed an APEX EL controller a couple of weeks ago and in doing so have been able to track when and how long my ATO turns on for. I have (2) redundant float switches which trip the Apex and turns on a Toms aqua lifter topping off some RODI mixed with Kalk.

I just recently starting dosing Kalk for the first time a couple of weeks ago as well. I noticed at first that my pH spiked from 7.9 at its lowest in the morning to 8.55 at its highest peak 30 minutes before the lights cut off. My ATO would kick on about every hour and run for about 2 minutes before cutting off. Within the first week, my pH lowest reading stabilized around 8.19 and wouldn't go any lower. My high reading still hovered around 8.47-8.5 at night. However, the last couple of days it almost seems like it has stabalized around 8.22-8.40. I added more flow to my supply and return which caused me to increase the water level in my sump. By doing so I then had to raise my ATO switches. Since I raised them last night I noticed my ATO kicks on about every 10-20 minutes and runs for about 15-25 seconds. It is 3 pm today and my pH is at 8.22. I am not sweating it because my Metal Halides kick on at 4 pm and I know the pH should rise by then.

Is my ATO coming on more frequently and running less because of the added flow in my sump? Also, does anyone find their Kalk stabilizes their water after a week or so?

pH over the last couple of days. Notice the minimal change today towards the right.

ATO run time

 

[saltyhog]

My ATO is a Tunzee Osmolator and it runs 5-6 times a day I'd guess for less than 30 seconds.

I'm not surprised that Kalk would stabilize pH somewhat with ATO use. I dose my alkalinity (BRS 2 part) every hour 24/7 and it has greatly stabilized my pH. There is still the day night swing but it's predictable and less significant.

 

[MTBake]

I've never really tracked how often or how long my ato runs. I don't have a controller. I use a stand alone ato.

Best guess is 6-8 times a day and runs for maybe 30 seconds each time.

 

[Hemmdog]

Hello everyone!

I installed an APEX EL controller a couple of weeks ago and in doing so have been able to track when and how long my ATO turns on for. I have (2) redundant float switches which trip the Apex and turns on a Toms aqua lifter topping off some RODI mixed with Kalk.

I just recently starting dosing Kalk for the first time a couple of weeks ago as well. I noticed at first that my pH spiked from 7.9 at its lowest in the morning to 8.55 at its highest peak 30 minutes before the lights cut off. My ATO would kick on about every hour and run for about 2 minutes before cutting off. Within the first week, my pH lowest reading stabilized around 8.19 and wouldn't go any lower. My high reading still hovered around 8.47-8.5 at night. However, the last couple of days it almost seems like it has stabalized around 8.22-8.40. I added more flow to my supply and return which caused me to increase the water level in my sump. By doing so I then had to raise my ATO switches. Since I raised them last night I noticed my ATO kicks on about every 10-20 minutes and runs for about 15-25 seconds. It is 3 pm today and my pH is at 8.22. I am not sweating it because my Metal Halides kick on at 4 pm and I know the pH should rise by then.

Is my ATO coming on more frequently and running less because of the added flow in my sump? Also, does anyone find their Kalk stabilizes their water after a week or so?

pH over the last couple of days. Notice the minimal change today towards the right.

ATO run time

Kalk in your ato is a recipe for disaster without the proper set up and a kalk stirer. I’m not sure why so many people recommend this. 2 part is 1000x easier.
My ato goes on about every 45 mins for 15 seconds on my 90g.

 

[HNR]

Use the hydor smart ato. Did not realize how big the "gap" is that signals the ato to kick off. Mine turns on one every 3 days or so and for about a minute. Kalk in mine would be a terrible decision.

 

[Sleepydoc]

I just looked - mine kicked in about 40 times over the last 24 hours, less than a minute each time. The programming on my Apex limits the ATO pump so it can't run more often than every 30 minutes.

How often it kicks in depends on all of the factors that play into evaporation (temperature, humidity, etc) as well as how sensitive the level detector is. More flow in your sump shouldn't cause an appreciable increase in how often your ATO pump runs.

 

[Snoopy 67]

150 times in a 24 hr. time period.
LitreMeter

 

[SuncrestReef]

My Neptune ATK runs every 30 minutes for anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute, depending on the water level. This is on a Reefer XL 425 (88 gal display).

Keep in mind, asking us how long the pump runs each time doesn't really give you good guidance because there are so many different kinds of pumps and the flow rates will vary.