Apex ATO

[Wolters_88]

My ATO just randomly stopped filling. I have been GHL forever and just got this so please excuse my ignorance but I don’t know what to do at this point.

 

[jassermd]

Was it on for more than 5 min? The When On statement will turn off the ATO when it has been running for more than 5 min. If that is the case, Apex will turn off the ATO until you manually turn it back on. You can check that by looking at the ATO switch on the dashboard. It will be set to off.
Also, not sure what the Swx5_3 switch is, but if that is triggered, the ATO will turn off.

 

[ckozma]

Needs "If Swx2_1 OPEN Then ON" on third line. Or whatever your particular low level sensor is

 

[Wolters_88]

Needs "If Swx2_1 OPEN Then ON" on third line. Or whatever your particular low level sensor is

Ato_Lo is my low sensor and ATK_hi is my high

 

[ckozma]

Well maybe it is the Swx5_3 statement that is turning it off. Here is mine for example:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Swx2_1 OPEN Then ON
If Swx2_2 CLOSED Then OFF
When On > 005:00 Then OFF
Defer 000:10 Then ON
Defer 000:04 Then OFF
Min Time 060:00 Then OFF

 

[SuncrestReef]

Go through the troubleshooting steps in my ATK Tutorial:

Neptune Apex Programming Tutorials, Part 3: Automatic Top-Off Kit (ATK)

Part 3 of our series on learning how to program your Neptune Apex for automatic top-off in a saltwater aquarium.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Wolters_88]

Go through the troubleshooting steps in my ATK Tutorial:

Neptune Apex Programming Tutorials, Part 3: Automatic Top-Off Kit (ATK)

Part 3 of our series on learning how to program your Neptune Apex for automatic top-off in a saltwater aquarium.

www.reef2reef.com

Working now, thanks.

 

[Wolters_88]

I’m out of places to put aqua bus cables. Can I use the second usb spot on the brain?

 

[jassermd]

Yes.
All the USB on the Apex are aquabus.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I’m out of places to put aqua bus cables. Can I use the second usb spot on the brain?

Every Apex module (except the Display and SKY) has at least 2 AquaBus ports, and they're meant to be daisy-chained so you can never run out of ports.

 

[Wolters_88]

Guess I lied. It’s not working again.

 

[Dolphins18]

Mine never worked when the orange tube was plugged into the manifold with the sensors and float. I Got frustrated playing with it and now just let the orange supply line hang over the sump. Frustrating, but it works fine for me now.

 

[Wolters_88]

Mine never worked when the orange tube was plugged into the manifold with the sensors and float. I Got frustrated playing with it and now just let the orange supply line hang over the sump. Frustrating, but it works fine for me now.

Ya, I have a GHL on my main system with a tunze and I’m really starting to think apex is a joke. Nothing but constant issues. I spent thousands of dollars to make my life easier. Not constantly messing with this thing.

 

[dzeleski]

Take apart the float/valve and look for plastic or anything blocking it. Mine randomly stopped working and a piece of plastic from manufacturing came off and wedged itself sideways. Make sure you have good flow coming out of the valve and not just a drip or trickle. Also depending on the size of your tank 5 min may not be long enough.

Plenty of people running these ATOs for a very long time. Mine has been stable for over a year now.

 

[Wolters_88]

Take apart the float/valve and look for plastic or anything blocking it. Mine randomly stopped working and a piece of plastic from manufacturing came off and wedged itself sideways. Make sure you have good flow coming out of the valve and not just a drip or trickle. Also depending on the size of your tank 5 min may not be long enough.

Plenty of people running these ATOs for a very long time. Mine has been stable for over a year now.

It was working yesterday randomly and stopped again today.

 

[Wolters_88]

Could I have a brand new unit and a bad pmup? The switches are registering. The thing seems to be registering the water level but the pmup is not sending water.

 

[dzeleski]

Could I have a brand new unit and a bad pmup? The switches are registering. The thing seems to be registering the water level but the pmup is not sending water.

Of course but do some testing. Take the line off the pump and turn it to on (don’t
make a mess though) then add the line. Make sure it’s fully seated and remove the valve. Keep adding more and more things until the flow stops and you know where your problem is.

 

[Sleepydoc]

Take apart the float/valve and look for plastic or anything blocking it. Mine randomly stopped working and a piece of plastic from manufacturing came off and wedged itself sideways. Make sure you have good flow coming out of the valve and not just a drip or trickle. Also depending on the size of your tank 5 min may not be long enough.

Plenty of people running these ATOs for a very long time. Mine has been stable for over a year now.

I’ve had mine since they were introduced and the only issue I’ve had is from dirty optical sensors.

@dzeleski is right - you need to do some trouble shooting.

• Make sure your program is functioning like you think it should. Is the output ‘on’ on the dashboard?
• Apex is switching the outlet on, is it actually coming on? If you’re using the FMM module, make sure the power supply is plugged in. The module will run off the Aquabus cable, but the power for the outlet itself has to come from the power supply. You can try switching to a different 24V outlet To see if it works there.
• Is the pump itself working? You should hear it come on. You can also try plugging it in to another outlet and turning it on directly.
• Is there an obstruction in the line? If the pump turns on but there’s a blockage in the line then it will timeout after 5 minutes and the outlet will change from ‘Auto’ (i.e. controlled by the program) to ‘off’
• Neptune makes a big deal about the float switch being a fail safe, but it’s a significant flow restriction and can get clogged. Float switches are notoriously unreliable, anyway.
• look at your logs to see what is going on; they can probably give you some insight as to what’s happening.

 

[Doctorgori]

Mine never worked when the orange tube was plugged into the manifold with the sensors and float. I Got frustrated playing with it and now just let the orange supply line hang over the sump. Frustrating, but it works fine for me now.

Exactly, I have one that ONLY works like that even though the line isn’t clogged
anyway, The ATK has made me log more hours with support than anything else by far…IMO it’s kinda junk

I have 3 and 2outta 3 have something wrong with it …with all new sensors besides

 

[Doctorgori]

I’ve had mine since they were introduced and the only issue I’ve had is from dirty optical sensors.

@dzeleski is right - you need to do some trouble shooting.

• Make sure your program is functioning like you think it should. Is the output ‘on’ on the dashboard?
• Apex is switching the outlet on, is it actually coming on? If you’re using the FMM module, make sure the power supply is plugged in. The module will run off the Aquabus cable, but the power for the outlet itself has to come from the power supply. You can try switching to a different 24V outlet To see if it works there.
• Is the pump itself working? You should hear it come on. You can also try plugging it in to another outlet and turning it on directly.
• Is there an obstruction in the line? If the pump turns on but there’s a blockage in the line then it will timeout after 5 minutes and the outlet will change from ‘Auto’ (i.e. controlled by the program) to ‘off’
• Neptune makes a big deal about the float switch being a fail safe, but it’s a significant flow restriction and can get clogged. Float switches are notoriously unreliable, anyway.
• look at your logs to see what is going on; they can probably give you some insight as to what’s happening.

added, yup the above needs emphasis….I clean my probes regularly