Tunze ATO almost crashed my tank.

[akma]

Anyone else have issues with tunze continuously dripping into tank.

I noticed it's happened a few times, but i'm usually home. Yesterday I did a water change and I noticed it, so I took the tube out and put it on the side in a small 1lb container. It had stopped dripping by the time I went to bed.

Just came home from work and it dripped out 10 gallons of water from my ATO tank. Good thing I had my xlarge mat for water changes which sucked up most of it. I'm glad I took it out yesterday or else it would have crashed my tank.

I've always burp the ATO pump when i refill and put the pump tilted on the side. I have the pump lower than the sensor. But it keeps dripping.

Any ideas on how to fix this? Or should I just trash it. Bought brand new end of last year. I went for the older model when I purchased because the new one didn't have a backup sensor.

 

[redseaenroute]

Is the water level in your ATO container lower than the output of the water line going into your sump?

 

[redseaenroute]

I recently upgraded my ATO container to a larger size and if I fill it all the way up I get a siphon drip until the ATO water level goes lower than the output of the water line. It sounds like that may be happening. If the pump isn't running that whole time (it shouldn't because it has a timer that auto kills it), then it has to be a syphon issue. I have the same ATO by the way

 

[akma]

I recently upgraded my ATO container to a larger size and if I fill it all the way up I get a siphon drip until the ATO water level goes lower than the output of the water line. It sounds like that may be happening. If the pump isn't running that whole time (it shouldn't because it has a timer that auto kills it), then it has to be a syphon issue. I have the same ATO by the way

Ah it was higher, but mine did not stop dripping until it completely emptied my ATO container. I haven't had this problem before and i've had I believe 8 of them between all my tanks.

I will feed the ATO pump into the overflow drain. Hopefully, that fixes the issue.
Thank you!
Appreciate your help.

 

[redseaenroute]

Ah it was higher, but mine did not stop dripping until it completely emptied my ATO container. I haven't had this problem before and i've had I believe 8 of them between all my tanks.

I will feed the ATO pump into the overflow drain. Hopefully, that fixes the issue.
Thank you!
Appreciate your help.

No worries! My guess is that will fix your problem. For what it's worth... I love my Tunze 3155. So much so that I have two more brand new ones sitting in boxes in storage just in case my original burns out. It's been going strong for 5 years now though! I like the redundant sensors and the whole unit has ran flawless for years. When that new one came out I freaked out and bought two of the older models just to make sure I could get them before they discontinued

 

[akma]

No worries! My guess is that will fix your problem. For what it's worth... I love my Tunze 3155. So much so that I have two more brand new ones sitting in boxes in storage just in case my original burns out. It's been going strong for 5 years now though! I like the redundant sensors and the whole unit has ran flawless for years. When that new one came out I freaked out and bought two of the older models just to make sure I could get them before they discontinued

:face-with-tears-of-joy:
Yes, I went with the older model when I saw BRS had only 2 units left last year. Didn't trust the new units yet.
I did purchase the new tunze nano version for my 25 gallon. It's been a great unit. Silent and I haven't had any problems at all. I think the old model with the new pump would be a great combo.

 

[redseaenroute]

:face-with-tears-of-joy:
Yes, I went with the older model when I saw BRS had only 2 units left last year. Didn't trust the new units yet.
I did purchase the new tunze nano version for my 25 gallon. It's been a great unit. Silent and I haven't had any problems at all. I think the old model with the new pump would be a great combo.

That's my one and only complaint with the 3155... The pump is pretty loud.

 

[akma]

That's my one and only complaint with the 3155... The pump is pretty loud.

I believe that you can upgrade the new pump to the older model. It says you just need to change the power output or use a switch socket.

 

[spsick]

Almost every time one of these examples is the siphon cause.

 

[redseaenroute]

I believe that you can upgrade the new pump to the older model. It says you just need to change the power output or use a switch socket.

Interesting... I'll be looking into this. Thanks for that detail. My "don't mess with a working system" mentality may get in the way... But definitely worth a look!

 

[redseaenroute]

Almost every time one of these examples is the siphon cause.

Awesome graph. Definitely stealing that. Situation #3 is what I was referring to and seems to be the most common I see/read about.

 

[rtparty]

The Tunze didn’t almost crash your tank. The thread is misleading and needs to be changed IMO

This is a great thread for others to learn from though with ATOs and where to place the tubing

 

[Harpo]

You need a vaccume break. I ran an over size tube to the ceiling in my basement and fed the rodi line inside. It is loose enough for the vaccume break

 

[commod0re]

The power of any siphon comes from the difference in height between the water level in the source container and the outlet point. If the ATO reservoir is above or taller than whatever you pump water into then the pump primes the siphon and can do nothing to stop it.
Easiest fixes are either to move the ATO reservoir lower, or, move the outlet higher so that the outlet is above the max water line in your ATO reservoir

 

[akma]

Almost every time one of these examples is the siphon cause.

Yes thank you!
Looks like siphon situation 4. The ATO container waterline is just a tadbit higher. My fault.

 

[akma]

The Tunze didn’t almost crash your tank. The thread is misleading and needs to be changed IMO

This is a great thread for others to learn from though with ATOs and where to place the tubing

Yes I tried changing topic, but it was too late.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What would you like it to say?

How about

ATO siphon issue?