JBJ ATO help

Sobo's Reef · Nov 29, 2014

OK so I have a JBJ ATO system and it was working fine but as of the passed few weeks, not so much. When the water level drops, the float doesn't recognize it so the pump never turns on(or the ATO box won't turn the pump on). Still tryna figure out if its an electrical problem or just a bad float all together.

I opened the ATO box and turned the timer all the way up since I read that it was the problem sometimes. Not enough water being pumped back into the tank within the time frame or something like that. But that's not my problem, it won't even turn on when I lift the float manually.

Any ideas? Should I just buy a replacement float?

talwen · Nov 30, 2014

What type of outlet do you have the ATO plugged into? is it on an apex?

Sobo's Reef · Nov 30, 2014

No right now its on a standard outlet. I tried swapping outlets and different spots on the strip but still nothing. The ATO box "power" light is on so it has power and its not the pump either bc I just bought a brand new one.

ReeferEric · Nov 30, 2014

Try just running with one switch and see what happens. If not return it and get your money back. LOL

Maybe consider getting the Tunze ATO, a bit up there but well worth it. BRS has it on sale for around 150.

Sobo's Reef · Nov 30, 2014

ReeferEric said:
Try just running with one switch and see what happens. If not return it and get your money back. LOL

Maybe consider getting the Tunze ATO, a bit up there but well worth it. BRS has it on sale for around 150.

I only have the one float on there. And I got it off of a friend so I can't return it. I wanna fix it cuz I wanted to use it on my nano lol I ordered a new float last night so we'll see what happens.

mfinn · Nov 30, 2014

Sobo's Reef said:
OK so I have a JBJ ATO system and it was working fine but as of the passed few weeks, not so much. When the water level drops, the float doesn't recognize it so the pump never turns on(or the ATO box won't turn the pump on). Still tryna figure out if its an electrical problem or just a bad float all together.

I opened the ATO box and turned the timer all the way up since I read that it was the problem sometimes. Not enough water being pumped back into the tank within the time frame or something like that. But that's not my problem, it won't even turn on when I lift the float manually.

Any ideas? Should I just buy a replacement float?

I use the JBJ ATO on one of my tanks and it is about 9 years old. About a year ago mine started acting the same as you describe. I tried soaking the float assembly in vinegar and that didn't help. I ended up buying a new float assembly and it's back working like it should.

Sobo's Reef · Nov 30, 2014

mfinn said:
I use the JBJ ATO on one of my tanks and it is about 9 years old. About a year ago mine started acting the same as you describe. I tried soaking the float assembly in vinegar and that didn't help. I ended up buying a new float assembly and it's back working like it should.

Yeah i think it has something to do with the actual wiring coming off the float bc everything else looks okay. There is a bit of tape on the wires(bought it off a friend) but I never had any issues in over a year until a couple weeks ago.

talwen · Nov 30, 2014

Yeah i would just buy a new float switch. I wouldnt get a cheapy one and spend a little money on one as they are still not expensive.

Sobo's Reef · Nov 30, 2014

talwen said:
Yeah i would just buy a new float switch. I wouldnt get a cheapy one and spend a little money on one as they are still not expensive.

Yeah I bought an actual JBJ replacement float off of amazon. Cost me like $21 with shipping

DAPG8GT · Nov 30, 2014

I agree they aren't the best but if your going to keep it around best to have some back up floats also. I had one for a few months on a jbj tank I bought and once it had problems I got rid of it. Same thing as you ( float switch) but mine actually stuck on after I powered it up one day. I've had the best luck with tunze over the years.. And also gravity on my frag tank.

Sobo's Reef · Nov 30, 2014

DAPG8GT said:
I agree they aren't the best but if your going to keep it around best to have some back up floats also. I had one for a few months on a jbj tank I bought and once it had problems I got rid of it. Same thing as you ( float switch) but mine actually stuck on after I powered it up one day. I've had the best luck with tunze over the years.. And also gravity on my frag tank.

Yeah I'll probably wind up buying a backup for future use. And since I bought this off a friend, I'm not really sure how old this float really is.