ATO woes...

So recently I have noticed that anytime I unplug my ATO, which is a JBJ btw, to remove equipment from the sump, or I'm pulling water out of the tank from selling frags etc. That when I plug it back in, the ATO doesnt work. The light will show that it is running the pump, but it isnt. So I turn the power off, pull the float switch connecters out and then put them back in. This usually does the trick. But it is bothering me that it is happening at all.

So, yesterday I come home to my HOB overflow being clogged, and my tank is about overflow. My sump is full as well, and most of my ATO resevoir is empty. So, my salinity had dropped about 3 points. So in order to to get it back up slowly, I pulled all the fresh water out of the resevoir, and added fresh salt water to top off. Sounds like a good plan, until I get up this morning hearing my ATO running constantly. I run back to the tank, and the sump is almost full, and about to spill on the floor! There was only a little bit of saltwater in the resevoir, thank god, but either way it's done,toast,finished...

I called JBJ this morning to see about the issue, but I havent heard back. I dont even care if it's just the switches that need to be replaced, I just ordered a Tunze Osmilator for the low low price of $207! But I know that I wont EVER has this issue again.

OK, I'm done now, thanks for stopping by;D

 

well im glad its all going to work out for you, just sucks that it had to cost so much. I use gravity and float switch for my ato...for the low price of about 40 ish bucks and havent had one issue.

 

Are the floats on the JBJ normally open or closed? Sounds like a bad connection on the float switch, but this would imply the float switches are normally closed, which is a recipe for disaster in a fail-safe scenario.

Moral: You always want the failed condition of a float switch to be the open position.

 

sorry to hear of your bad luck with the JBJ, I've never had one or researched one when looking for my ATO. I bought the Tunze Osmo as my 1st ATO and set it about a year ago & it has worked flawlessly since, one of the best investments I've made on my tank IMO. It's def a lot more expensive than other ATO's but I'm so glad I got it & would gladly do it again.

 

+1 My Tunze has been working flawlessly for 2 years. It was well worth the cost. Plus, you can add the kalk dispenser option as well and it's fully integrated into the ATO.

 

For what its worth, I have two of these JBJ's running at home for 2 years now with no trouble at all. I hope they get things corrected for you. My experience is that this is not a recurring problem with this ATO though.

 

I bought the JBJ used, so I really have no idea how old it really is. I believe the it would be a simple fix of getting new float valves and connectors, but going with the Tunze, I wont have to worry about it.

 

that sucks. i haven't had any issues with mine but maybe I'll consider getting new float switches anyway since I bought mine used...

 

I've had issues with the JBJs before as well, similar to getting that red running light, and the pump not running. Unplugging everything usually reset it, but I determined it was a little too unreliable for the next build...

 

So moral of story is you get what you paid for right, best ust to get the cheap till you have money for the big fancy lol