Save me from optical sensors...I hate them!

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KingJason

KingJason

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I've been running Neptune's ATO on my APEX for several months now. At least once every other day the lower sensor get's something on it (film, algae, gunk, salt creep, etc) and gets stuck in "closed" position thinking there is water there when there is not. So with that sensor stuck "closed" the ATO doesn't kick on any my water level get's low. Twice now it's gone below my probe's before I noticed it and I almost had a disaster w/ my heaters stuck on.

Before this I had been running a simple float switch setup on a breakout box and I never had a problem. It was running for 7 years on the same float switches!

What the heck am I doing wrong? How do I keep the stupid sensors clean? I can see having to wipe them down once a month or something, but this is happening every other day or so.
 
Deltec
I'd love to hear the solution as well. I just ordered a FMM module and an optical sensor to use as a high level alarm and turn off the return on my nano tank (single standpipe overflow has me nervous). Would like to avoid any similar issues.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
I don't have an Apex or the Apex ATO, but I run an ATO with no sensors at all for around $20. I set it up to run on a timer instead of using a float switch. It's not as precise as using a float switch or optical level sensor, but then again, it never sticks on like a float switch, nor does it get tricked into staying off like an optical sensor.

I used a peristaltic pump to move the water, and a cheap timer relay to turn the pump on and off. Add a simple 12V power supply and that's all you need. The timer adds a little bit of water every hour, and it works great. Every once in a while I have to tweak how much the ATO is dosing, but that's only once a year or so. Other than that, I have had trouble-free operation.
 
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I’m having the same problem, I added sodium bicarbonate so that seems to be gunking up the sensor. Have to clean it every few days.
 
It’s a pain in the butt. I still have to clean it every few days when I notice my water level has dropped. For me it’s not a reliable solution. But I’m living with it for now.
 
Deltec
Interesting. Having just ordered the new Apex, I'm curious now. This sounds like the same kind of sensor that my Tunze 3155 ATO had. I never seemed to have any issue with that one. Following along.
 
I have automated everything on my tank but I refuse to use anything on my ato except a float valve. I also have a 15 gallon reservoir that will not overflow my sump if my float valve ever got stuck. I only have to fill it once a week on my 155 tank with 40 breeder sump.

That is an avast pressure switch next to it in case I forget to fill the reservoir my apex will text me as a reminder.

That is 3 failsafes that can go years without being cleaned.

20171122_111627.jpg
 
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KingJason said:
Anyone else have this issue? Am I the only one?
Click to expand...

It "kind of" happened to me a couple of times for different reasons. I remember that one time a piece of tiny insulation foam dropped in the water and stuck to a sensor.

I now have an additional light sensor another half an inch below my normal water level. So for whatever reason the low sensor of the ATO doesn't kick in, my extra ultra-low-level sensor would kick in and sound the alarm, and also open up my ATO.

By the way, I've never had to clean the sensor though. Quite a few times that the ultra-low level sensor served me very well for other reasons. Once was that my water solenoid was not working. Another time was that the water was leaking out somewhere else and water level was dropping so fast that the ultra-low-level sensor kicked in.
 
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Top Shelf Aquatics
Following... Sounds like I should not get rid of my Tunze Osmolator. I have a number of these sensors that I was planning to use on my new build. :eek:
 
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I have two ATKs and both did as OP mentioned. I dose KALK and that left a film on lower sensor. To cure it or postpone often cleanings, I moved return hose off ATK to rear of sump (making float unusable) but I'm not cleaning weekly anymore. Another tip: citric acid from and big box hardware store works 10x better than vinegar for cleaning sensors, pumps, etc...
 
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I use a few of the optical sensors, but only to trigger alarms. No trouble with false alerts yet. Speaks to the need for sensor redundancy. My dual ATO units both have multiple sensors.
 
Grab you a couple float switches an bring out to an I/O box on your apex. That is what I use. No major issues. Just clean the float switches about 2 a year and your good.
 
My Tunze has an optical sensor... The sensor went out on me after about a year, but Tunze sent me a new one, no problem, and happily, it failed OFF, so other than letting the sump water level fall below normal, no big deal.

Aside from that, a year and a half or so good service from my Tunze optical sensor. I wipe it off as part of my once a month cleaning routine.
 
Nutramar Foods
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I've been using the Apex atk for awile now without issue. I did remove their safety float as I found it redundant and it really slows the flow to a trickle.

I dose right next to the drain in my sump which I think helps. At first I dosed next to the return but found it calcified the return and everything else in that chamber quickly. Dosing on the far other side of the sump has cured this.
 
AS
I have been running the ATK since July without any issues. Seems like placement in the sump could be the difference. Mine is in the return chamber.
 
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