Overnight Disaster!!!

What is "defer time" on my skimmer settings? I'm new to apex and learning as much as I can as I go
The defer time will delay the skimmer from starting for that period of time once a condition to start it occurs.
 
What is "defer time" on my skimmer settings? I'm new to apex and learning as much as I can as I go
Defer time is a safety backup for apex when it loses power. When your apex regains power it will keep your skimmer off for how ever long you have it set too. This allows your sump to get back to normal levels before the skimmer will come on.
 
I dont think power went off. All clocks are still same. So I adjusted the ato top off line a mile further from tank, adjuster my return nozzle to where if return pump shuts off, only a litte water will come down, adjusted water level in sump. Going to cross everything that crosses and head to work soon
 
Well we know the Gyre works
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The good news is you are doing things right and learning and adjusting your equipment before any livestock are at risk. Kudos for doing things the right way.

I played with my tank while it cycles without livestock for two months to make sure all equipment was working the way it was designed to work and it gave me time to play with the dosers and ATO and become competent in my knowledge of how they worked (and did not work, as the case may be)
 
I have an ATO reservoir that is mounted above my sump. To prevent siphoning with the pump off, I installed a length of clear tubing running from the upper shelf in my stand down into my sump. I drilled a small hole in the tubing and inserted the end of my ATO output into the side of the tubing. No possibility of siphoning. Here is a picture of the way I have it set up.

PiratesReefATO.jpg
 
I have an ATO reservoir that is mounted above my sump. To prevent siphoning with the pump off, I installed a length of clear tubing running from the upper shelf in my stand down into my sump. I drilled a small hole in the tubing and inserted the end of my ATO output into the side of the tubing. No possibility of siphoning. Here is a picture of the way I have it set up.

PiratesReefATO.jpg
This is a great idea! Pump the water up, gravity drain down. Simple and elegant solution!
 
My ato pump is at the bottom of the rodi container which is closest to the sump. The water line travels up the container and back down to sump.
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If your ATO water is higher than your sump level

My first step is to mount the ato water line completely off the sump

+1

I am so nervous Witt my ATO that I only fill it with 5 gallons so that if it gets stuck on or siphons, it won't overfill. I still don't trust it.

+1

5 gallon limit here too!

I left a big room lamp connected to my ATO so I could see when it was running. Only took me about three years to get some confidence and take down the light. :D
 
My ato pump is at the bottom of the rodi container which is closest to the sump. The water line travels up the container and back down to sump.
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Keep in mind that with a hose, the path it takes doesn't matter. It is based on the water level of the ends. During a siphon the weight of the water coming down the hose pulls the water up the hose canceling out the impact of the height of the hose.
 
So how do I fix this? What should I do with my hose?
Do you see what Fin did in his post? This would be fairly easy for you to do. If you put a "T" off your hose and run a new hose up off the T a few feet, you can still use it to fill your system but the open air source will prevent a siphon from forming.
 
I am in agreement with everyone here with ATO fill being the Issue. I had the same issue with my ATO fill line going to the sump, I switch the fill line to the DT and the issue went away.
 
Update: I'm still at work. Wife just got home from sons hockey practice and went downstairs to check things out. Everything seems to be in working order!! Is the protein skimmer good or should I turn it down just a tad?

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IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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