stupid ATO

framerguy · 09-28-2007, 11:22 PM

My ATO float sensor must have gotten stuck today because the 10 gallon resevoir which had about 5 gallons in it this morning is empty now and my sump was more full than normal. That's what i noticed was the sump. all of my corals were looking exceptionally good though I recall noting when I came home. The salinity is at about 33ppt, I normally keep it at 35ppt. I have about 110 gallons with the MT, sump and fuge added. Fortunately I don't have my RODI hooked up to this resevoir and I keep a finite amount of top off water that won't harm my system if it's all put in, and it's for this very reason. ATO's fail. I feel good about what has happened today, not that my ATO failed but that I took precautions for when it does. It's been a good day!

vdituri · 09-28-2007, 11:28 PM

Ounce of prevention, pound of cure!
Way to go. Most people don't plan that far into the future.

DrHank · 09-29-2007, 12:28 AM

A smart way to go. Do you have your TO pump on a timer? I'm just getting to the point that I'm going to add an ATO. I'm tired of doing manual top off. Have a seperate 6 gallon container for water. Will probably use a float switch to fill the water container and a seperate float switch to power the TO pump. Will probably timer it so it goes on briefly two or three times a day.

AQTCJAK · 09-29-2007, 12:34 AM

Greg, Glad you did have significant amount of damage. Your switch is the exact reason I use a mnaul pressure shut off & a float valve. They as well have potential but in all the years I have been doing ATO is seem the electric one are the ones that have the most issues.

framerguy · 09-29-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHank

A smart way to go. Do you have your TO pump on a timer? I'm just getting to the point that I'm going to add an ATO. I'm tired of doing manual top off. Have a seperate 6 gallon container for water. Will probably use a float switch to fill the water container and a seperate float switch to power the TO pump. Will probably timer it so it goes on briefly two or three times a day.

No Doc, I have a electric float sensor that powers a small pump inside the resevoir, the hose to the sump is also throttled down with a valve so that water just trickles in. I on purpose didn't hook my RODI to the resevoir or water would still be pouring in probably. I know, I'm paranoid. Normally I fill the top off res about twice a week from my RODI resevoir. I really like the ATO, my salinity (I started to say never) seldom changes but salt creep caused the float to stick. Ho harm done though. It's not much trouble to fill a couple times per week.

Kazzy · 09-29-2007, 03:24 PM

Great job! Just shows how much taking precautions can help.

Melanie · 09-29-2007, 06:27 PM

Glad to hear you didn't have a disaster and it reminds us all to check to make sure our ATO sensors are clean!

Woodstock · 09-29-2007, 06:40 PM

Good news there was no issues!

I too have resisted the temptation to hook up my ro/di directly to my sump ato.
Make sure you check the float switch for micro stars. I have dual float switches and they recently stuck ON: I took them out for a good cleaning and I found 12 micro stars hiding inside them!

Now I routinely dip them in fw for a few seconds. That quickly removes/kills any micro stars.

09-28-2007, 11:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
framerguy Manta Ray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 3,660 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	stupid ATO My ATO float sensor must have gotten stuck today because the 10 gallon resevoir which had about 5 gallons in it this morning is empty now and my sump was more full than normal. That's what i noticed was the sump. all of my corals were looking exceptionally good though I recall noting when I came home. The salinity is at about 33ppt, I normally keep it at 35ppt. I have about 110 gallons with the MT, sump and fuge added. Fortunately I don't have my RODI hooked up to this resevoir and I keep a finite amount of top off water that won't harm my system if it's all put in, and it's for this very reason. ATO's fail. I feel good about what has happened today, not that my ATO failed but that I took precautions for when it does. It's been a good day! __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) Still Workin' on it! 375gDT built in wall, Gargantuan DIY Beckett Skimmer, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, 75 gallon seagrass/mineral mud refugium, 55 gallon crushed coral/live rock refugium, 30 gallon DSB/ cheatomorpha refugium, algae turf scrubber, DIY calcium reactor, DIY kalkwasser mixer, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, etc, etc, etc... chronicles-akwareum

09-28-2007, 11:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,772 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: stupid ATO Ounce of prevention, pound of cure! Way to go. Most people don't plan that far into the future. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

09-29-2007, 12:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: stupid ATO A smart way to go. Do you have your TO pump on a timer? I'm just getting to the point that I'm going to add an ATO. I'm tired of doing manual top off. Have a seperate 6 gallon container for water. Will probably use a float switch to fill the water container and a seperate float switch to power the TO pump. Will probably timer it so it goes on briefly two or three times a day. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

09-29-2007, 12:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,225 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: stupid ATO Greg, Glad you did have significant amount of damage. Your switch is the exact reason I use a mnaul pressure shut off & a float valve. They as well have potential but in all the years I have been doing ATO is seem the electric one are the ones that have the most issues. __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

09-29-2007, 03:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kazzy Scopas Tang Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KS Posts: 440 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: stupid ATO Great job! Just shows how much taking precautions can help. __________________ Grant New favorite quote: I would not, could not BUY YOUR LOAN. I would not, could not MAKE MONEY FAST. I would not, could not SEND NO CA$H. I would not, could not SEE YOUR SITE. I would not, could not EAT VEG-I-MITE. I do_not_like GREEN CARDS AND SPAM! Mandarin Policeman http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

09-29-2007, 06:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: stupid ATO Glad to hear you didn't have a disaster and it reminds us all to check to make sure our ATO sensors are clean! __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

09-29-2007, 06:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,669 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: stupid ATO Good news there was no issues! I too have resisted the temptation to hook up my ro/di directly to my sump ato. Make sure you check the float switch for micro stars. I have dual float switches and they recently stuck ON: I took them out for a good cleaning and I found 12 micro stars hiding inside them! Now I routinely dip them in fw for a few seconds. That quickly removes/kills any micro stars. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)