Tunze Nano ATO

[Blue Ring Octopus]

So I just purchased this ATO it comes with the new style pump, I thought it was a peri pump and that it could be ran dry, but the instructions state No, my sump is clear in the front and black in the back so it is very difficult to see the water level, I purchased a sensor that senses a overflow in the tank and shuts off the return pump, but do they make one that when the ATO gets low in water it well turn off the ATO?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/osmolator-3-nano-auto-top-off-tunze.htmlThanks in advance

 

[whalewhalewhale]

There's water level sensors out there that shut off the outlet when the water level goes below it. I think AutoAqua makes one.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Don't buy a dark sump or dark ATO container.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Of course I'm not encouraging you to let your pump run dry, wear-and-tear wise, but if it does happen, my experience has been that you will hear a 'clicking' sound from the pump in your dry water reservoir-- like a car trying to turn over. That will be your clue (assuming you can't get an easy visual on your container) that you need to refill. You will likely have to unplug/re-plug the power from the wall to get the pump going again. I have one of those dedicated small toggle switches to plug into the wall outlet, just before the plug itself. Hope this helps. (Also if you need a narrow water container that can hold a lot to slide in and out from beside or even in back of your tank-- the Red Sea containers are pricey, but accommodate that drop-in pump and are leak proof). Best wishes!

 

[Justfebreezeit]

You can toss something bright that floats in there to see water level. Maybe a bobber or something

 

[rvitko Verified Sponsor]

The pump will only run 77 or 154 seconds (user setting) before it times out as too low, you will have to manually reset it at that point by cycling the power. The nano the safety is a time limit, by default 77 seconds is for a system under 30 gallons, about 1.5 qt fill limit, the 154 is for 30-60 gallons, a roughly 3 qt fill limit. The pump will not be harmed by brief dry runs and will stop from the time limit. The bigger issue I see is the sensor and all optic sensors, use infrared to detect water level, most growlight spectrum lights if they are a quality light, emit considerable infrared and will blind the sensor, the sensor cannot be in an area illuminated by a grow light.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Thanks I figured out how to get the pump working again, too funny solve one problem and then create another. Maybe I can use a small frag rack to put some shade over the sensor.