ATO air gap (1 Viewer)

[decimal]

Is anyone using an airgap on their ATO line? I guess my reservoir, (when full) sits higher than the sump so it syphons until level. I could run the line to the top of DT but would prefer to keep it at the sump. The stupid 7mm tunze line doesn’t properly fit into John guest fittings, is a pia to do anything with so I’m wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

 

[soymilk]

Smart ATO Siphon Breaker

Smart ATO Siphon Breaker 6.5mm OD barb with siphon break for both both Smart ATO and Smart ATO micro.

www.coralvue.com

 

[decimal]

That will do it. I know I even have one laying around here. Somewhere

 

[Cody]

Yeah I have a gap. I like to be able to visually see when it’s working.

 

[air_run]

Okay, because I'm a rookie. Would someone explain to me like I'm five why this would happen, lol? I am asking as now I have concerns that this could be an issue for me being I'm setting up my ATO this weekend and the water level will definetly be higher than the water level in the sump. See attached.

I am assuming if you are using a Tunze Osmolator that the eye would shut off the pump when the water level is detected, accordingly. I see no way for the pump to back siphon unless the output going to the sump is submerged? I'm just not following maybe what's happening exactly. Thanks!

 

[decimal]

Even with the ATO hose raised higher than the reservoir level, the Syphon created by the lower outlet keeps sucking ATO water until the levels are equal. A one way valve won’t do any good since the flow is not reversing but instead just keeps on flowing. The air gap lets in just enough air to break that syphon. I don’t like it since it’s just another item that can clog up or whatever. Worse, I had to order it since I can’t find the 2 or 3 I have orbiting around here

 

[air_run]

Even with the ATO hose raised higher than the reservoir level, the Syphon created by the lower outlet keeps sucking ATO water until the levels are equal. A one way valve won’t do any good since the flow is not reversing but instead just keeps on flowing. The air gap lets in just enough air to break that syphon. I don’t like it since it’s just another item that can clog up or whatever. Worse, I had to order it since I can’t find the 2 or 3 I have orbiting around here

So, what I get from this is.... even though the output line going to the sump is above the water level in the sump but, lower than the water level in the resevoir, when the ATO pump kicks off the water continues to flow/siphon into sump until the outlet reaches equal height of water level in the resevoir? So basically, you can technically only fill your ATO tank to a certain height (same height of the ouput) or one, raise the output or two, use a siphon break as mentioned above. Correct?

 

[decimal]

Correct.. I had it hooked up to dispense into the overflow of the tank. But then I got a new lid and since then have had to add a homemade cover to the weir teeth. I suppose I could drill my new lid but the airgap is the proper solution and hoses belong underneath in the sump.

 

[air_run]

Cool. Off to ordering some ATO Siphon Breakers myself.

 

[decimal]

I knew I should have ordered more

 

[soymilk]

or you can be ghetto like me and just poke a big hole in your line

 

[Erin]

or you can be ghetto like me and just poke a big hole in your line

The siphon break on my return is a hole I drilled into the bottom of the highest loc-line segment...

Question though - where did you put the hole so that the water doesn't shoot out when the ATO comes on?

 

[decimal]

It’s a Venturi angle hole that requires a $250 special guide jig to get the angle right. Trung has 3 because = redundancy is a reefers friend

 

[air_run]

I knew I should have ordered more

I ordered 3 of them in case I or anyone else needs one in a pinch!