Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 23

Thread: ato and water replacement questions

  1. #1
    Join Date
    16.06.2009
    Posts
    109

    Default ato and water replacement questions

    Hey All,

    I also posted this on Reefcentral....


    here is what i would like to do....

    i will have 2 sensors

    sensor 1 is low level
    sensor 2 is high level

    pump 1 is ro top off
    pump 2 is empty from sump
    pump 3 is refill saltwater from storage tank

    normally when sensor 1 senses low level pump 1 turns on to refill until sensor 2 trips...turning pump off...normal ato......

    on a certain schedule (daily or weekly) i would like to switch to water replacement....

    pump 2 turns on and drains sump until sensor 1 trips...at that time pump 2 turns off and pump 3 turns on to refill sump.... when this completes the normal ato mentioned above resumes...


    Can i do this? how

    thanks

    Larry

  2. #2
    Join Date
    20.02.2009
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    127

    Default

    Yes you can! I just did this to set up my automatic water changes.

    Check out this post to set it up http://www.aquariumcomputer.com/Foru...hread.php?p=63

  3. #3
    Join Date
    16.06.2009
    Posts
    109

    Default

    does the upper or lower sensor trip the ato to run?

    if its the lower sensor couldnt your water be down 50% to the sensor drain 50% of the normal drain amount and then add 100% salt water?

    so not a 1 to 1 relationship on drain to fill???

    if the upper senser triggers ato and there is no differential the sump will always be at the high point when auto water change kicks on forcing a 1 to 1 relationship....

    which way does it operate with the config in the link?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    20.02.2009
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    127

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by larryfl1 View Post
    does the upper or lower sensor trip the ato to run?

    if its the lower sensor couldnt your water be down 50% to the sensor drain 50% of the normal drain amount and then add 100% salt water?

    so not a 1 to 1 relationship on drain to fill???

    if the upper senser triggers ato and there is no differential the sump will always be at the high point when auto water change kicks on forcing a 1 to 1 relationship....

    which way does it operate with the config in the link?
    The ATO operates on the upper sensor. so the water drains to the lower sensor then fills back up to the upper sensor.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    16.06.2009
    Posts
    109

    Default

    ok...so the ato only works on upper sensor? ato is not affected by the lower sensor....lower sensor only has to do with drain for water changes

    now the next question...which probes are the most reliable??

    float, optical or the new external style?
    Last edited by larryfl1; 14.07.2009 at 21:29.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    20.02.2009
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    127

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by larryfl1 View Post
    ok...so the ato only works on upper sensor? ato is not affected by the lower sensor....lower sensor only has to do with drain for water changes

    now the next question...which probes are the most reliable??

    float, optical or the new external style?
    Sorry can't really help you with that I have only tried two float style and had not had any issues with it yet.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    06.07.2011
    Location
    england
    Posts
    26

    Default

    will the sump return pump burn out when water is drained from the sump

  8. #8
    Join Date
    06.07.2011
    Location
    england
    Posts
    26

    Default return pump during wc

    i want to know if the return pump will burn out during water change

  9. #9
    Join Date
    18.02.2009
    Location
    Kaiserslautern
    Posts
    7,710

    Default

    You want that the return pump is switched off during AWC?

    then do this: use socket function "[inverse] Water change" for the power outlet where the return pumps is connected
    No support or warranty issues over PM! Please send PMs to the moderators only if you have general problems with using the forum! Thanks for helping us to keep the support efficient.
    Kein Support oder Reklamationsabwicklung über PM! Bitte senden Sie an die Moderatoren nur PMs bei allgemeinen Problemen mit der Verwendung des Forums! Danke dass Sie uns dabei helfen, den Support effektiv zu gestalten.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    21.11.2011
    Location
    manchester
    Posts
    108

    Default Can these water change vairables be achieved?

    Quote Originally Posted by Matthias View Post
    You want that the return pump is switched off during AWC?

    then do this: use socket function "[inverse] Water change" for the power outlet where the return pumps is connected
    Hi

    The problem I have with the above set up is when automating larger water changes, the return pump can not be turned off at the start.

    The reason for this is that if the return pump is turned off then the water that flows over and resides in the overflow boxes and pipes will drain down into the sump and raise the level of the float switches in the sump above the original auto top up levels. This would complicate the automation when trying to return the levels to the normal levels after refilling the salt water.

    The other problem is that if I leave the return pump running throughout the saltwater change, once the tank level has drained to below the overflow boxes, the last stage in the sump will empty! leaving my return pump running dry until it is filled up again. This could cause damage to my return pump and so I would not want to do this either.

    The solution I have come up with is listed below and I would like to know from a moderator before purchasing the profilux 3 that I am able to program this with the software as this would be one of the main reasons I purchase the system. I travel quite alot and want to be able to perform salt water changes remotely whilst I am away.

    Please see attached diagram to understand more fully

    Pump 1 saltwater drain
    Pump 2 saltwater fill
    Pump 3 auto top off
    Pump 4 return pump

    Level sensor 1 (auto top) + (second saltwater fill)
    Level sensor 2 (leakage detection) + (return pump)
    Level sensor 3 (second auto top off) + (Salt water fill level)

    Function: saltwater change

    Level sensor 1 (auto top) CHANGES TO (second saltwater fill)
    Level sensor 2 (leakage detection) CHANGES TO (return pump)
    Level sensor 3 (second auto top off) CHANGES TO (Salt water fill level)

    Pump 1 saltwater drain ON

    Level sensor 2 (return pump) REACHES LOW LEVEL
    Pump 4 return pump OFF

    5 mins after function start ie. (Pump 1 saltwater drain ON)

    Pump 1 saltwater drain OFF
    Pump 2 saltwater fill ON (*Timer starts)

    Level Sensor 2 (return pump) REACHES HIGHER LEVEL/ OR RAISES LEVEL
    Pump 4 return pump ON

    Level sensor 3 (Salt water fill level) or Level sensor 1 (second saltwater fill) REACHES LEVEL
    Pump 2 saltwater fill OFF

    (If maximum time limit is reached from *Timer start then pump automatically switches off, alarm sounds and email notification that problem has occurred. I no problems occurred then sensors switch back as below)

    Level sensor 1 (second saltwater fill) CHANGES TO (auto top)
    Level sensor 2 (return pump) CHANGES TO (leakage detection)
    Level sensor 3 (Salt water fill level) CHANGES TO (second auto top off)


    Can this be achieved?
    Attached Images Attached Images

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •