Ato with return pump fluctuations.

[Gambit_Aces]

Hi all,

Just started up the tank again from a 10 year hiatus but couldn’t help jump back in.
Yesterday I was playing around with the flow rates on the returns to quiet it down at night but realized the sump level is affected by this. How do you guys setup your ATO if this is the case? I would like to run the returns at full pop during the day and reduce to about 60% at night. The water only drops in the return pump section with all the baffles obviously which is where the ATO optical sensor is. I don’t want it dumping 1-2 gallons of freshwater in if it isn’t evaporating it would just dilute the salinity.

Thanks for reading!

 

[mfinn]

Personally I would leave the return running the same, night and day.
I see no reason for changing the flow rate.

 

[mfinn]

If the noise is unacceptable, focus on fixing the noise issue.

 

[Gambit_Aces]

I guess I need to find an end cap and get a valve to regulate the air in the drain to stop the gurgle. Or I could tell the Apex not to run the Ato while the pumps are at 100% now that I’m thinking about it.

 

[get-salty]

Interesting idea, nvr seen anyone doing this but....
Personally i would not as the obvious of the water level fluctuates.

Set your return pump speed to where water level is roughly 3-4 above the return pump.

Instead of the return pump running at diff speed, do it on your wave makers instead.

Good luck and happy reefing.

 

[mfinn]

I guess I need to find an end cap and get a valve to regulate the air in the drain to stop the gurgle. Or I could tell the Apex not to run the Ato while the pumps are at 100% now that I’m thinking about it.

Up to you how you set it up.
But is there a need to run the pump at 100%?
Lower flow equals less noise.
Plus working to fix the drain noise is what I would do.

 

[Gambit_Aces]

I guess I need to find an end cap and get a valve to regulate the air in the drain to stop the gurgle. Or I could tell the Apex not to run the Ato while the pumps are at 100% now that I’m thinking about it.

Up to you how you set it up.
But is there a need to run the pump at 100%?
Lower flow equals less noise.
Plus working to fix the drain noise is what I would do.

With it being a (future) SPS doninated tank I would think more flow the better no? But absolutely going to address the drain issue first maybe that will just solve the issue completely for me. I’ll let the wavemakers do the water pushing.

 

[Reign1]

much easier to run your wave maker/powerhead on a schedule during the day then calm/ramp down at night then trying to run your returns @ 100%. Also running your returns @ 100% is going to shorten the pump life. It is your tank but personally I would not do it that way.

 

[mfinn]

With it being a (future) SPS doninated tank I would think more flow the better no? But absolutely going to address the drain issue first maybe that will just solve the issue completely for me. I’ll let the wavemakers do the water pushing.

Use the return pump only for delivering water from the sump to the display tank. People like to use the return pump for different reactors. I like to keep them separate.
Use powerheads in the tank for flow.

What's your drain situation? How many pipes? What kind of overflow?

 

[Servos]

I guess I need to find an end cap and get a valve to regulate the air in the drain to stop the gurgle. Or I could tell the Apex not to run the Ato while the pumps are at 100% now that I’m thinking about it.

Having the ATO only active during times the flow remains constant would be the approach I would recommend. Additionally having the ATO active at only certain times of the day can help avoid disasters. On my nano tank I have the ATO activate 3 times per day as an example.

 

[Gambit_Aces]

It’s a “Reef Ready” 135 gal so it’s 2 1” drains in a durso style on both sides with 3/4 returns. 2 return pumps which are axis 90s pushing most likely with the plumbing and pipe restriction about 700gph each at 100%

 

[get-salty]

Having the ATO only active during times the flow remains constant would be the approach I would recommend. Additionally having the ATO active at only certain times of the day can help avoid disasters. On my nano tank I have the ATO activate 3 times per day as an example.

Not sure if i understand this....

 

[mfinn]

It’s a “Reef Ready” 135 gal so it’s 2 1” drains in a durso style on both sides with 3/4 returns. 2 return pumps which are axis 90s pushing most likely with the plumbing and pipe restriction about 700gph each at 100%

On a 135 gallon tank I wouldn't look for more than 750-800 gallons per hour total. 5-6 x the tank volume.
Durso drain systems are known to be noisy. Tough to get away from that issue.
A pair of 1" drains on each side?
Look into Herbie style drains.