Hydor ato alarm for low water?

[Lowstorm]

So I set up my hydor smart level. Wonderful looking device, and my first non diy ato system.

But the alarm keeps going off!!! I'm using an aqua lifter with it. Its sitting at the min bar... and I keep getting beeped at. I have no clue whats wrong with it. I just raised it up a bit to force it to go off. I'm figuring it'll fill up then go off again when it starts to get low... but that doesn't make sense. Isn't it supposed to go off when its too deep, right?

And no, its not upside down. I checked lol

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Same here. One aqualifter does not have the capacity to make the limit switches within the preprogrammed time limit within the device. I had to order two aqualifter pumps, but it works just fine now

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

It was kind of a bummer at first, but it's kinda nice knowing I have redundant ATO pumps and a device that will alarm if one fails

Also, if you raise your reservoir up, the aqualifter will pump a little faster. However, they don't break a siphon if the reservoir level is above the pump.

 

[Lowstorm]

Yup. I sat here and timered it lol! I need another lifter. But I do love this little ato.

 

[MikeyAl]

Same here. One aqualifter does not have the capacity to make the limit switches within the preprogrammed time limit within the device. I had to order two aqualifter pumps, but it works just fine now

Same here

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I've got one, love the temperature differential. Haven't cleaned it in 6 months and it's all covered in crud, still works.

One thing you might try is submerging it while it's off, to the max mark, and let it sit for a minute. Then turn it on.
If the alarm still goes off you probably got a dud.

As a side note tom's pumps work ok, but they and the container need to be high enough to go fast enough like AllSignsPointToFish said.
Also, if you turn it to make the 3 points point towards the water, you can get it to operate and keep the water level change within about 1/8 of an inch. (since only the tips really need to be submerged- Giggity)

 

[Lowstorm]

Fwiw... they didn't have any good pumps at the lfs so I just got a pond pump with 100 gph Max flow. Works perfectly now

Thanks!!!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Send me the make and model, please. I was looking for something similar, but none of the ones I found would fit into my ATO container opening.

 

[Lowstorm]

Lol this one probably wouldn't either then. My container is a 5 gallon bucket with a hole drilled in the side. AND I had to get a 2-3 prong converter so I could plug it in from Home Depot

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Ahhhh. Gotcha. I've had a heck of a time finding either a pump that is small enough or a pump with enough suction lift to do the job. The nice thing about the aqualifter is that it has about 30" of suction lift.