tunze ATO problem

[JKDMan]

I have a tunze ato ( the big one, not nano) for my tank, ive had two of the return pumps die on me in the past 6 months or so. the controller isnt the issue i dont think, its been working for years. i dont see any thing in the intake port colgging it either. it will try to run for a few seconds then just sound like its losing power slowly ( it winds down) then shuts off and wont pump.. any thoughts?

 

[Tcook]

I have a tunze ato ( the big one, not nano) for my tank, ive had two of the return pumps die on me in the past 6 months or so. the controller isnt the issue i dont think, its been working for years. i dont see any thing in the intake port colgging it either. it will try to run for a few seconds then just sound like its losing power slowly ( it winds down) then shuts off and wont pump.. any thoughts?

I'm on my second pump. If this one fails I'm going with a pmup.

 

[r20crazy]

have you checked the tubing for obstructions? (aka blow thru it) do you run Kalk as that is hard on pumps and causes excessive wear. how high is it lifting? clogged check valve?

 

[JKDMan]

Thanks for replies, I reset the controller. It's working again, didn't know that was a thing till I looked at some forums

 

[dadnjesse]

Thanks for replies, I reset the controller. It's working again, didn't know that was a thing till I looked at some forums

So how do you reset it?

 

[JKDMan]

So how do you reset it?

Unplugged it for a few minutes, I heard you can fiddle with the float alarm too

 

[coastkid]

I have gone through a couple pumps. Now this one is sputtering. I can hear the pump try to turn on. Everything is clear. Good lines. I wonder if there is a more robust option out there?

 

[Tcook]

Updating this thread. I now feel that I can't trust the Tunze pump. I had one on a past system and it ran well for years. In the past couple of months I have run through 2 of these. Only think that runs through them is RO, no kalk. Head pressure on them is maybe 15-18 inches. Both of the pumps seem to cavitate at start up and don't achieve a good flow. I have to bounce then around in the ATO reservoir a few times to get them running. This is not acceptable. I have had no issues with the Pmup at my office and will probably stay with the pump for the future. The Tunze pump has a much thinner disk impeller which is probably why is is prone to cavitation. YMMV

 

[Water Dog]

Updating this thread. I now feel that I can't trust the Tunze pump. I had one on a past system and it ran well for years. In the past couple of months I have run through 2 of these. Only think that runs through them is RO, no kalk. Head pressure on them is maybe 15-18 inches. Both of the pumps seem to cavitate at start up and don't achieve a good flow. I have to bounce then around in the ATO reservoir a few times to get them running. This is not acceptable. I have had no issues with the Pmup at my office and will probably stay with the pump for the future. The Tunze pump has a much thinner disk impeller which is probably why is is prone to cavitation. YMMV

What you’re describing sure does sound like your ATO pump is getting air locked. Have you ever let your ATO reservoir run dry? Flip the pump upside down while underwater to release any trapped air and then flip them back. That should get them flowing nice and strong again, solving the potential air lock issue.

 

[Tcook]

Leon, I think you may be right. I will have to follow more closely to see if I get any failures while the vat is partially full. This last time it did run dry. After filling I tipped the pump and a bunch of bubbles surged out. It then started right up.

 

[Water Dog]

Nice, glad I could help!