Hydro smart level issues

[USNDoc]

I have a high door smart level and it's hooked up to an aqua lifter dosing pump and the dosing pump goes to my reservoir the Hydro smart level is in the sump sometime it will work sometimes it will not if it's way way too low after I shut it off because the beeping is driving me nuts I turn it back on it'll fill up a little then I'll start beeping again I'll turn it off and turn it back on then it'll fill up to where it supposed to be if I start it when it's in the middle of the Hydor smart level it will fill up to the alert level Can anybody tell me the best possible solution to this the best route to run the lines maybe I don't know if that's the issue the reservoirs on the left side of the tank and the smart level with the dosing pump is on the right side of the tank

 

[nervousmonkey]

Hey Doc, the problem is in the aqualifter pump as well as the Hydor Smart Level Controller. The pump doesn't pump fast enough for the controller, so when the water level gets way too low and the controller gets activated or turned on, the pump starts pumping, but it's too slow; the Hydor has a 10 minute or some time limit programmed into it, ostensibly so it will not overfill a tank, but in your case, the pump is working, just not getting the job done quickly enough for the controller. That makes sense that when the water level is in between those two little sensors that it fills up fine and doesn't stop and start beeping; the pump gets enough water into the sump before the programmed time limit alarm gets activated.
If you get a pump that can pump the water a bit faster you'll be OK, or a controller that doesn't have as strict a time limit.
There are some good options out there if you would like an ATO that doesn't annoy you: Tunze Osmolator is great, Avast Marine makes a great ATO system based on a pressure switch, so it can't get fouled up (I am using this one on two tanks and it's awesome), and others.
If you don't want to get an entirely new system, just get a new pump. If you need some ideas on the kinds/brands of pump that would satisfy the timing programming of the Hydor, let me know and I'll send you over some.

 

[Sgolden]

I'm having the same issue. Using tom aqua lifter. I'm set up with the sensor in the return section of the sump. As soon as the water level touches the bottom of the the sensor it stops the pump and the alarm goes off. I reset, then it goes to the first sensor above the bottom part, again alarm goes off and shuts pump off.. It is annoying and frustrating. Not really wanting to re invent the wheel here. Is it defective ? Is it the wrong pump ? Did I install the sensor at the wrong height in my return section? I heard there was a 10 min timer or the alarm goes off, anyone else deal w/this with a work around ?
It's a 1/4" OD tubing pump. Fairly slow.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I have the Hydor smart level. Mine is having other issues but in the beginning I used the Toms Aqualifter as well. The aqualifter isn't sufficient enough for the hydor sensors IME. I switched to the Avast peristaltic pump with great success. In fact it ran flawlessly till last night. Now my smart level won't stop pumping. I'll have to look into it further when I get home. As of now, it's broken.

 

[Ayzel1]

As of last month, my Hydor ATO would not turn on the pump. The sensors are still reading the water level properly, and the pump that I use works well and the reason I know my pump works is because I have to plug the pump to my wall outlet to filll my sump to the level that I need it to be at. I bought it last year from a goingoutbusiness LFS. My local LFS told me to scrap it and go with a Smart ATO, but I am willing to try to fix it because I do like the way it works with the three prong sensors.

 

[reeferfoxx]

As of last month, my Hydor ATO would not turn on the pump. The sensors are still reading the water level properly, and the pump that I use works well and the reason I know my pump works is because I have to plug the pump to my wall outlet to filll my sump to the level that I need it to be at. I bought it last year from a goingoutbusiness LFS. My local LFS told me to scrap it and go with a Smart ATO, but I am willing to try to fix it because I do like the way it works with the three prong sensors.

Agreed. i do like the hydor sensors though, it's jjust not a trust worthy ATO. Since it uses heat to sense water level change, I think it wears out faster. Just my theory.

On the other hand, I've been using the Smart ATO micro since June and I haven't had any issues. *knock on wood* The little pump provided is fast and powerful and the sensor will detect 1mm water level change. Only thing I don't like about it vs. the Hydor is there isn't a max water height level alarm. So, if your sump or return pump on a AIO fails, you won't hear that alarm. Again, it's hasn't been a major issue. If by chance your ATO pump fails, you can purchase a new one for $20.

 

[Philthy fish]

I also have the hydro ATO the toms pump is useless and I’m sending it back also the sensor doesn’t seem to be operating correctly. I believe I have it set to the max level but the unit is not activating when it falls below the max level. Isn’t it suppose to come on then?

 

[reeferfoxx]

I also have the hydro ATO the toms pump is useless and I’m sending it back also the sensor doesn’t seem to be operating correctly. I believe I have it set to the max level but the unit is not activating when it falls below the max level. Isn’t it suppose to come on then?

I don't think it triggers the fill up till it hits the lower sensor. To be honest, return it. I'm not sure why this ATO is still being sold.

 

[Acartia]

The first one didn’t work fresh from the box. The second one worked perfectly for about a year and then died. Thankfully the 10 minute shutoff worked.

I wouldn’t buy another.

 

[inazuma]

Hi folks!

First time posting here I was having some of the same issues here, and I thought I'd share a workaround that is working for me. Seeing that this a somewhat popular combination (Hydor / Aqua Lifter), I thought I'd post this and maybe help ease some of the frustration.

While I agree with some of the solutions here, I guess I'm just stubborn and thought about the problem a little too long While going with a strong pump would be the easiest fix - I thought that the Aqua Lifter should be ok (for smaller tanks). My concern was mainly that the AL would be able to push enough RO from my reservoir up to the tank. This it does perfectly fine. The issue is that it cannot push enough water to top off before the 10 minute alarm/shutoff. But this is not just a pump issue - it's a design issue. The Smart Level sensor 'cluster' is not designed to take volume into account - just depth. Hopefully this makes sense (it's late here). Here's a ridiculous example for illustration purposes only:

A tank (12"L x 12"W x 36"H) would probably have no problem working in the standard Smart Level configuration. The AL should have no issues (unless there were blockage or massive air bubbles* in the lines) topping off before the 10 minute time frame.

A tank (48"L x 12"W x 18"H) would not make it before the alarm starts and the pump shuts off. The way the sensors are permanently 'placed' in the 'cluster', with the fixed distance between the Min and Max sensors, is what I would call a design issue. Some tanks work fine; but for a lot of tanks - the AL is just not going to cut it. Not to mention, the surface tension (or waves) probably adds to the distance between the sensors. Hopefully this makes sense. Again, it's late

Anyways, sometimes pictures work better (see attached below):

As you can see, if you rotate the sensors counter-clockwise, you dramatically reduce the window between the Min/Max sensors - which helps the AL beat the 10 minute mark (which btw, I like having the 10 minute safety net).

As I said, it's been working for me like a charm. Just experiment with the amount of rotation you can get away with. The AL seems like a nice little cheap workhorse pump and for smaller tanks should be fine.

*had a bubble issue in my AL's in/out lines. Just disconnect it from the Smart Level and plug it directly into its own outlet for a minute. This will push the air from the lines and 'prime' the pump. Then plug it back into the Smart Level and you should be up and running.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Hi folks!

First time posting here I was having some of the same issues here, and I thought I'd share a workaround that is working for me. Seeing that this a somewhat popular combination (Hydor / Aqua Lifter), I thought I'd post this and maybe help ease some of the frustration.

While I agree with some of the solutions here, I guess I'm just stubborn and thought about the problem a little too long While going with a strong pump would be the easiest fix - I thought that the Aqua Lifter should be ok (for smaller tanks). My concern was mainly that the AL would be able to push enough RO from my reservoir up to the tank. This it does perfectly fine. The issue is that it cannot push enough water to top off before the 10 minute alarm/shutoff. But this is not just a pump issue - it's a design issue. The Smart Level sensor 'cluster' is not designed to take volume into account - just depth. Hopefully this makes sense (it's late here). Here's a ridiculous example for illustration purposes only:

A tank (12"L x 12"W x 36"H) would probably have no problem working in the standard Smart Level configuration. The AL should have no issues (unless there were blockage or massive air bubbles* in the lines) topping off before the 10 minute time frame.

A tank (48"L x 12"W x 18"H) would not make it before the alarm starts and the pump shuts off. The way the sensors are permanently 'placed' in the 'cluster', with the fixed distance between the Min and Max sensors, is what I would call a design issue. Some tanks work fine; but for a lot of tanks - the AL is just not going to cut it. Not to mention, the surface tension (or waves) probably adds to the distance between the sensors. Hopefully this makes sense. Again, it's late

Anyways, sometimes pictures work better (see attached below):

As you can see, if you rotate the sensors counter-clockwise, you dramatically reduce the window between the Min/Max sensors - which helps the AL beat the 10 minute mark (which btw, I like having the 10 minute safety net).

As I said, it's been working for me like a charm. Just experiment with the amount of rotation you can get away with. The AL seems like a nice little cheap workhorse pump and for smaller tanks should be fine.

*had a bubble issue in my AL's in/out lines. Just disconnect it from the Smart Level and plug it directly into its own outlet for a minute. This will push the air from the lines and 'prime' the pump. Then plug it back into the Smart Level and you should be up and running.

I know this was from 11/2018 but THANK YOU!!!!!! This helped me! I am ready to go out of town and I ran out of time to get a new unit and this has tested well for me multiple times now. I hope my sump isn’t dry when I get home!!