Does anyone preemptively replace their ATO and/or ATO feed pumps after a certain time? I replace my heater every year and more and more people seem to be adding backup return pumps to their aquariums for redundancy, but I believe a functioning ATO is just as vital as a return pump or heater. I have a four year old Tunze ATO and replaced the feed pump a year and half ago when my old one started making a little more noise than normal. I am interested to hear what other people think!
Preemptive ATO Replacement
- Thread starter esolo16
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Montiman
Valuable Member
I have a tunze as well. I don’t preemptively replace the unit but I do keep an extra pump on hand. I have seen osmolators last over a decade. This is one of the reasons I buy them. The only way I have personally seen an osmolator die is from water damage. I will say preemptive cleaning and maintenance is a must and I have a scheduled sensor cleaning every 6 months. Tunze can also replace sensors for you if you like. I would rather maintain equipment than just replace it.
If my ATO dies I can manually top off my tank for a week while Roger fixes it.
If my ATO dies I can manually top off my tank for a week while Roger fixes it.
Tastee
Valuable Member
I use a Neptune ATK to top up my gravity fed RSR 250 ATO daily. I only run the PMUP once daily to (hopefully) prolong it’s life. If it fails the ATO itself lasts around 3-4 days from full so I would manually fill until I got a replacement PMUP.
The float valve for the gravity fed ATO works just fine and simply needs to be cleaned every 6 weeks or so. I also run a low level optical sensor in my sump to alert me to the ATO gumming up.
The float valve for the gravity fed ATO works just fine and simply needs to be cleaned every 6 weeks or so. I also run a low level optical sensor in my sump to alert me to the ATO gumming up.
Thanks for the replies! I do clean the sensors once a month and have an extra pump on hand. However, I travel a lot for work so if my ATO failed, I may not be around by the time my return section runs dry. That would be my biggest concern here.
Montiman
Valuable Member
I understand my sump is designed so that I could let water evaporate for 3-4 days and nothing would run dry or burn out. I would personally have a buddy on call and an APEX with a Low Level sensor in your case.
Even when I'm gone for a week and my tank runs on automated equipment only I still have a reefing buddy on call and check the tank webcam at least twice a day to make sure all is good.
Tastee
Valuable Member
I agree that’s a risk and I agree with the other reply - I would have someone on hand who could do what is needed. In my case at worst we would have a house-sitter looking after the dog and I could have them top up the ATO manually every few days as I keep a stock of RODI handy in the house. I would then deal with the issue when I returned. My son also lives locally, has a key and is reasonably reef experienced. Hopefully you can organise something similar to cover you.
