Smart ATO micro overfilling

[Taxus812]

I was hoping you can help me troubleshoot a potential installation issue with the Smart ATO Micro.
I have a Red Sea Max E -170 aquarium which has the sump in the back of the tank (nothing in the cabinet). I have the reservoir 2 feet below the aquarium and sump (in the cabinet). The syphon break is above the water line in the reservoir (although it is not adding value in this configuration that I can see since it is 2 feet below the aquarium ). I made sure the fill line was ½” above the max water line in the sump (when the circulating pump is off) to ensure there is an airgap to break the reverse syphon when the pump is off.

My problem
I installed the ATO on Monday. The tank was low on water in the sump and I let the ato fill it to where I set the sensor. I worked perfectly! It continued to work for 24 Hours without a hiccup. Yesterday evening, I realized I had the sensor a bit to high and decided to adjust it. I turned the ATO off. Moved the sensor down about a ½” so the top of the sensor was just about at the waterline. I turned the ATO back on and it booted normally and gave me a solid blue light just as it did the day before.

I woke up about 3:00am to natures call and could hear a strange sound. It was the ATO pump running dry in the reservoir. The ATO had run the reservoir dry! There was about 1.5 gallons in it when I went to bed. The ATO sensor was now a few inches under water and blinking blue. Thank goodness I didn't put much water in the reservoir or I would have ruined the floors.

Any ideas?

 

[Duffer]

Its happen to me once or twice and what i found out if the siphon breaker,in the tube, is submerged in the water or even partial in water it will get on the auto top to pour water in my sump.

 

[Taxus812]

Its happen to me once or twice and what i found out if the siphon breaker,in the tube, is submerged in the water or even partial in water it will get on the auto top to pour water in my sump.

interesting is your reservoir below your sump (mine is several feet below my sump)?

 

[Duffer]

no, reservoir is part of the sump but sometimes my pump falls and pulls the line into the water..

 

[Taxus812]

ahh I can see why you need the in-line siphon break for your configuration. In mine, its kind of useless but I have it installed anyway since that is the first thing support asks you. I have to make sure there is an airgap between the fill tube and the water in the sump at its highest point otherwise I would have reverse siphon pulling my tank water down into the reservoir overfilling it there.

Anyway I contacted the support for the Smart ATO at coralvue ( https://www.coralvue.com/support/ ). I located my sensor by the exit gate of my skimmer. It is possible I got some debris or microbubbles (more likely the latter) on the eye screwing up the sensor. I also could have a bad\flakey sensor. They could not easily pinpoint the reason for the failure. I sent them pictures of my install (also found on my build thread).

I moved the sensor to a different location and ran some tests to se if I can make if fail. Fortunately my tanks is new and has no coral so I'm not going to kill anything. My clowns could care less I think

1. Normal ops test- I positioned the ATO at the water level I wanted. I then turned ATO on and it stopped where I put the sensor. I moved the sensor up it filled until it reached the sensor and shut off the pump.
2. Power failure test - I shut the ATO off and then shut off my circulating pump and skimmer (which floods the sump and puts the sensor under water). I moved the sensor UP slightly and turned the ATO and pumps back on (allowed it to boot). The water level dropped to normal and below the sensor. The ATO sensor blinked blue and filled until it hit the sensor and shutoff.

The ATO seems to be working, for now. I will watch it for a bit and only keep 2 gal in the reservoir. they said if it does it again they will replace the sensor. If the pump fails from running dry they would replace that as well.

Wish me luck. Im going to try and fit a float valve to prevent or at least minimize an overfill.

Original location

New location

 

[Calpoly2103]

ahh I can see why you need the in-line siphon break for your configuration. In mine, its kind of useless but I have it installed anyway since that is the first thing support asks you. I have to make sure there is an airgap between the fill tube and the water in the sump at its highest point otherwise I would have reverse siphon pulling my tank water down into the reservoir overfilling it there.

Anyway I contacted the support for the Smart ATO at coralvue ( https://www.coralvue.com/support/ ). I located my sensor by the exit gate of my skimmer. It is possible I got some debris or microbubbles (more likely the latter) on the eye screwing up the sensor. I also could have a bad\flakey sensor. They could not easily pinpoint the reason for the failure. I sent them pictures of my install (also found on my build thread).

I moved the sensor to a different location and ran some tests to se if I can make if fail. Fortunately my tanks is new and has no coral so I'm not going to kill anything. My clowns could care less I think

1. Normal ops test- I positioned the ATO at the water level I wanted. I then turned ATO on and it stopped where I put the sensor. I moved the sensor up it filled until it reached the sensor and shut off the pump.
2. Power failure test - I shut the ATO off and then shut off my circulating pump and skimmer (which floods the sump and puts the sensor under water). I moved the sensor UP slightly and turned the ATO and pumps back on (allowed it to boot). The water level dropped to normal and below the sensor. The ATO sensor blinked blue and filled until it hit the sensor and shutoff.

The ATO seems to be working, for now. I will watch it for a bit and only keep 2 gal in the reservoir. they said if it does it again they will replace the sensor. If the pump fails from running dry they would replace that as well.

Wish me luck. Im going to try and fit a float valve to prevent or at least minimize an overfill.

Original location

New location

I just purchased the same Smart ATO system a few days ago and its in route. I was very concerned with malfunction or it overfilling. I found this gadget online which may be worth it for you as a backup in case it fails again. It has so so reviews based on other users comments, but I just want to put it on the very top of my AIO Nuvo 40 tank, and it'll shut off the ATO if it reaches the 2nd sensor.

AutoAqua Smart Level Security
https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Auto-AutoAqua-Smart-Security/dp/B07BRXX9VW

 

[SDK]

Mine has been going 4 months now without issue on an AIO with my reservoir two feet below. I regularly turn the power off and on and it's always been fine.

I followed a suggestion that I got here at R2R. I do "not" use the siphon break. I "do" have the return tube positioned so the end is above the waterline. The water falls the last inch or so into the tank, similarly to how dosing lines are rigged.

This supposedly is less finicky, and it's impossible for it to back siphon this way. Your last pic is just cut off where I would be able to see if yours is submerged or not. I'm not sure how or why this helps, but again, mine has performed flawlessly this way..

 

[Taxus812]

It was 1/2” above the waterline to prevent reverse siphoning.

It is now in a float valve. (Just finished). Pay no attention to the wire it’s been moved.



I actually found a useful use for the siphon break. When the float closed all the pressure dumps out of the air gap in the siphon break. Now the float needs very little pressure to stop the flow. It takes a few seconds longer to fill but that is not an issue

Here is the reservoir and rest of the installation since I’m playing show and tell


I added a solid plastic tube to the fill line to stiffen it at the pump (the fill line is inside the tube) . This way I can make sure it sits flat on the bottom of the reservoir.

 

[Taxus812]

I just purchased the same Smart ATO system a few days ago and its in route. I was very concerned with malfunction or it overfilling. I found this gadget online which may be worth it for you as a backup in case it fails again. It has so so reviews based on other users comments, but I just want to put it on the very top of my AIO Nuvo 40 tank, and it'll shut off the ATO if it reaches the 2nd sensor.

AutoAqua Smart Level Security
https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Auto-AutoAqua-Smart-Security/dp/B07BRXX9VW

I was looking at those. They may not fit in my power center without some modifications.

 

[Calpoly2103]

Hi Everyone,

I just installed this ATO on my system. I'm just curious but how often does it measure water level and turn on? I hooked mine up last night, and for the last 12 hours its just been a solid blue. The water has evaporated a bit, but perhaps not enough to trigger the sensor? I have a 40 gallon IM Nuvo All - in - one. Thanks !

 

[MrObscura]

Any snails or anything that could obstruct the overflow? That will drop the water level and trigger the ato. And without an overfill sensor it could just keep going.

 

[Taxus812]

Hi Everyone,

I just installed this ATO on my system. I'm just curious but how often does it measure water level and turn on? I hooked mine up last night, and for the last 12 hours its just been a solid blue. The water has evaporated a bit, but perhaps not enough to trigger the sensor? I have a 40 gallon IM Nuvo All - in - one. Thanks !

Mine is very sensitive and is on and off through the day. It keeps the levels perfect! It is also VERY quiet so you may not have noticed it running. The easiest way to test is to take a large measuring cup and scoop some tank water out (but don't empty the cup). The ATO should trigger. Then quickly pour your still full cup of tank water back. it should shut off.

Is the point on the front of the sensor right at the waterline ? That is about where it will try and keep your water level.

Any snails or anything that could obstruct the overflow? That will drop the water level and trigger the ato. And without an overfill sensor it could just keep going.

Its a new all in one tank. The return is a long grate and goes directly into the sump in the rear of the tank. Really no way to block it up. I'm working great now since I moved the sensor. I cant get to to fail no mater how hard I try. (Its been a few weeks since the issue. )

I have made some updates since I first installed it. (Added a better float, check valve and 3d printed mount). You can see where it wants to keep the water level.

 

[MrObscura]

I have an aio, a snail simply crawling on the oveflow and just blocking a portion of a grate or 2 is enough to cause the water level to drop on the return chamber.

 

[Calpoly2103]

Mine is very sensitive and is on and off through the day. It keeps the levels perfect! It is also VERY quiet so you may not have noticed it running. The easiest way to test is to take a large measuring cup and scoop some tank water out (but don't empty the cup). The ATO should trigger. Then quickly pour your still full cup of tank water back. it should shut off.

Is the point on the front of the sensor right at the waterline ? That is about where it will try and keep your water level.



Its a new all in one tank. The return is a long grate and goes directly into the sump in the rear of the tank. Really no way to block it up. I'm working great now since I moved the sensor. I cant get to to fail no mater how hard I try. (Its been a few weeks since the issue. )

I have made some updates since I first installed it. (Added a better float, check valve and 3d printed mount). You can see where it wants to keep the water level.

I'll have to try that when I'm home from work. I have been tracking it via Apex monitor (checking if the outlet used any wattage over the last day or so, but unfortunately its been at 0 watts for the last 16 hours) Not sure why its not triggering. I hooked it up last night, it worked instantly and filled for about 10 seconds and stopped. Since then, it hasn't done anything. I did turn it off and on once to test FEED MODE, but it just beeped and went back to solid blue.