Smart ATO question

BC1906 · Nov 14, 2016

So I have a Smart ATO Micro that I used in my biocube and it worked fine. I recently set up a 56 gallon column tank and tried to use it and by the time it tripped the sensor it will not fill back up before the timer alarm would goes off. I do not have a sump so I think that's why it's not working. I was thinking I needed the regular smart ato but noticed it has the same pump size so I don't think that one would work. Do they make bigger pumps that will go in the micro ato? What else could I do to make it work?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 14, 2016

I think your issue may be the height of the addition point. What is the vertical distance between the pump and the point where the water is added to the tank?

BC1906 · Nov 14, 2016

AllSignsPointToFish said:
I think your issue may be the height of the addition point. What is the vertical distance between the pump and the point where the water is added to the tank?

From the pump in my reservoir to the top of the tank is about 5ft

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 14, 2016

That's probably the issue. The pump is rated for 74 gallons/hour at o feet head but only 34 gallons/hour at 78" head. Since you operate at around 60", the pump output flowrate will be lower. Can you raise the reservoir by placing it on a table or chair to see if it works better? This should help confirm that the issue is the height of the addition point above the pump discharge.

jsker · Nov 14, 2016

The pumps are so tiny that it hard for the pump to pump that high. I agree with @AllSignsPointToFish , it time to upgrade to a large ATO.

morpheas · Nov 14, 2016

It also depends on the amount it has to supplement. You mentioned you're controlling your main tank, that could add extra pumping time. In other words, it's one thing to control 1" of addition on a sump compartment that's maybe half a gallon and it's another thing to control 1" on a main tank that could be gallons at a time. Did you do the math to see what is the amounts you're asking it to add and if the pump can pump this amount in the period of time before the alarm kicks in? You can have it pump to a container at the height of your tank for a minute and get a gal/min. Then calculate the space it needs to cover on your display for the low level to the normal and see how long it takes. My guess would be that it's trying to add too much water (probably height has a lot to do since the rate drops drastically if it's too high).

BC1906 · Nov 14, 2016

Thanks for all of the advice. I will try raising my container up a few feet and see if that works. If it doesn't I think it may be because it is trying to fill it up too much like morpheas stated. If it is because it's taking too much to fill the main tank what are my other options? Is there a way to add a bigger pump to it?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 14, 2016

BC1906 said:
Thanks for all of the advice. I will try raising my container up a few feet and see if that works. If it doesn't I think it may be because it is trying to fill it up too much like morpheas stated. If it is because it's taking too much to fill the main tank what are my other options? Is there a way to add a bigger pump to it?

I was looking into that as well. I think if you could find another DC topoff pump that the controller would support, it would be a simple splice. The one thing to keep in mind is that you need to know how much power the controller can deliver.

If the controller can handle 20W, and you're not constrained on pump size or footprint, you could consider something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Yosoo®-Solar...=UTF8&qid=1479137893&sr=8-21&keywords=dc+pump

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 14, 2016

I just found on their website that you have to stay under 10W. Maybe just hook up two 4.5W pumps (like the one you have) in parallel.

Here's another option:
https://www.amazon.com/FORTRIC-Subm...F8&qid=1479138105&sr=8-1&keywords=dc+pump+10W