Help Please!

[ava.g]

Help! I’m new to saltwater fish keeping and started up a 60 gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump about a month ago. I set up an auto top off system recently, but I’ve noticed that my return chamber has been very inconsistent and it’s causing issues. It will seem to pull more water some times than others, sometimes causing the auto top off to continuously add water (more than is evaporating), nearly overfilling the tank. Is there a way to avoid/fix this problem without constantly having to fiddle with the valve restrictions?

 

[Tahoe61]

Hi and Welcome R2R.

What specific automated top off are you using?

 

[ava.g]

Hi and Welcome R2R.

What specific automated top off are you using?

I’m not 100% certain on the brand as I got it a while back and am just recently setting it up, this is what it looks like:

 

[ava.g]

I’m not 100% certain on the brand as I got it a while back and am just recently setting it up, this is what it looks like:

Just found it in my Amazon orders, here’s the link: https://a.co/d/4lSs74D

 

[Tahoe61]

For now I would move the sensor up above the water line, and top off manually.

 

[ava.g]

For now I would move the sensor up above the water line, and top off manually.

Thank you! Is it normal for the return chamber to fluctuate that much?

 

[Tahoe61]

Turn off the ATO until you figure out the specifics of the brand. Just manually top off for now.

 

[Tahoe61]

Thank you! Is it normal for the return chamber to fluctuate that much?

ATO sensors are famous for failure and over flowing tanks. Just unplug it for now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m not 100% certain on the brand as I got it a while back and am just recently setting it up, this is what it looks like:

The sensor seems very high in the sump. Most sumps are at 6-8" of water Height within sump

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Also, I would replace your hose clamps with plastic ones, those aren't good for underwater in a salt water tank. They are already rusting. I know it's expensive but the Tunze ATO systems are pretty reliable.

 

[ava.g]

Also, I would replace your hose clamps with plastic ones, those aren't good for underwater in a salt water tank. They are already rusting. I know it's expensive but the Tunze ATO systems are pretty reliable.

Noted! I got the entire setup second hand and these are what came with it, I will definitely look into changing them out though!

 

[I never finish anythi]

I would remove those metal hose clamps to start with ,They are starting to rust !
Do you use a roller filter by any chance? If I have mine to advance to much it fills my return up when it turns.

 

[ava.g]

I would remove those metal hose clamps to start with ,They are starting to rust !
Do you use a roller filter by any chance? If I have mine to advance to much it fills my return up when it turns.

No, no roller filter, just some bio filtration, and a few sponge filters, nothing I would think affects the water level too much.