Booms cube-80

[Boomboy]

thanks for the help



so i came home today and guess what, my tank was almost overflowing, luckily the emergency drain worked, the funny thing is when i got home i usually check the tank first but today i went on the computer instead for about 30 minutes. i guess the one got clogged and in turn the ato turned on and my salinty went down to 1.022, so i drained out a bunch and going to let it evaportate and get the level back to where it should be. i also took off that mess that was around my eggcrate covering the overflow in the main tank, it allows more effective surface skimming.

but man that was a close call,

though im left with the question my tank was to the brink of being full and so was my sump?? where did all the water come from?? ato stayed on?? but it was sumerged under the water? i checked it and it turns off once underwater. so hmmm maybe someone elses herbie drain has clogged and this happened also?

[Snaz]

ATOs scare the willies out of me. I have read too many horror stories.

[Boomboy]

if you spend the money on more expensive ones, im sure it is fine, its great to have an ato, save alot of the time and frusteration keeping the salinity in check.

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by Boomboy

if you spend the money on more expensive ones, im sure it is fine, its great to have an ato, save alot of the time and frusteration keeping the salinity in check.

I don't regret adding the Tunze ATO my system... saves me daily work on the tank of having to top off... I'll take the risk of it getting stuck on, if it saves me that work.. Plus my skimmer skims better without the fluctuation in water level, I've also noticed the corals look better.

[Skimmerking]

here is a no brainer for ya if your sump isnt drilled for it
get a piece of glass and drill a hole 5/8" and make sure that it will fit in the corner of the sump
And get a float switch and have it connect to your RO unit and then you dont have to worry about the water over flowing or put it on a tub say like 2-3 gal if you are the nervous type.
I like it on the RO unit my salinity never goes up or down.

I have been running one eversince i got into the hobby. April 02 and it hasn't failed me yet

[rattler]

yea, a normal entry level ato unit can fail. I bought a bulk reef system ato with a timer (for a second fail safe). This has been running for three months with out a failure or hiccup !!

I'm sold!!

Cheers!

Geoff

[banditpowdercoat]

If you wire up 2 floats, one that is in water that controls whatever ATO you choose. Then the other, is a HIGH LEVEL that will shut it all down. Thje high level will NOT be in the water, so wont get salt creep or buildup. Will allways be ready and working. My ATO consists of a $20 Omron timer and 2 floats, all from ebay. Works great and never had a problem.

[Boomboy]

i have the one from BRS, and it works great, i also have it on a timer just incase, i would easily spend 200 bucks on a more expensive one, but tried to keep the cost down by buying this one. works great for me, the problem wasnt the ATO it was the drain it clogged, i really need a better pump like a QO6000 but i cant get one at the moment as in saving money, and needing a new computer for school in september. priorities i guess, thats what the wife says. hahah no kidding, im smart with my money too, thats why i spend it all on the tank