Biocube 32 ATO

[Charlie G]

Hi all,

I have Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off on my Biocube 32 for about a year now. Works well. When I turn my return pump to feed mode I also unplug my ATO or else the ‘Too High’ alarm goes off as the water in my back chamber rises above the sensors. Then when my pumps turn back on after feeding I plug in the ATO which then starts a fill cycle.

I was just wondering if anyone else has a similar setup and if there is a better way of handling this. I will be going away and want to install an auto feeder but would like to maximize the time the food remains suspended so the fish can get to it.

I can put the ato and the return pump on wifi outlets but I’m not crazy about having the ato switch on and start filling again every time it turns on. Also not crazy about the idea of my return pump shutting off and on while I’m away.

Just wondering what others do. I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I don’t have that problem with my Prism brand of ATO. On my Oceanic BioCube. I have a total of three of them on my Aquariums, all work perfectly. The only problem I had was they slid down. Solved it by Supergluing “O” Rings on the outside.

 

[jabberwock]

When I am away, I let the flow keep running when its feeding time. Fish are like always HUNGRY!

 

[Charlie G]

That was my other plan to just keep things on and auto feed. I assume The fish will get to the food will find the food at some point. My clowns are quick to Eat as soon as food is introduced into the Leave it tank but my Royal gramma can be timid and if the pumps are on the food will fall to the rock or substrate.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Hi all,

I have Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off on my Biocube 32 for about a year now. Works well. When I turn my return pump to feed mode I also unplug my ATO or else the ‘Too High’ alarm goes off as the water in my back chamber rises above the sensors. Then when my pumps turn back on after feeding I plug in the ATO which then starts a fill cycle.

I was just wondering if anyone else has a similar setup and if there is a better way of handling this. I will be going away and want to install an auto feeder but would like to maximize the time the food remains suspended so the fish can get to it.

I can put the ato and the return pump on wifi outlets but I’m not crazy about having the ato switch on and start filling again every time it turns on. Also not crazy about the idea of my return pump shutting off and on while I’m away.

Just wondering what others do. I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

I am using Alexa and some of Amazon's smart plugs. I set up a routine so that when I say "Alexa, time to feed the fish" she will turn off the the main pump, skimmer pump and the 3155. (biocube 29 here)

After 5 minutes the main pump is turned back on. Then 5 minutes after that the skimmer and ATO are turned back on.

Of course if we loose internet there will be an issue. But all in all this works quite well. I also have a routine for feeding corals that keeps the skimmer off longer.

 

[yanetterer]

Simplest method, if no one else is home just let the alarm beep until the water levels out.

Or find a spot that will allow the food to blow around without immediately going into the overflow.

If you prefer to have zero flow during feeding, you can also turn the alarm off by opening the control panel and flipping a switch. There are instructions for it in the owners manual.

 

[Uncle99]

Hi all,

I have Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off on my Biocube 32 for about a year now. Works well. When I turn my return pump to feed mode I also unplug my ATO or else the ‘Too High’ alarm goes off as the water in my back chamber rises above the sensors. Then when my pumps turn back on after feeding I plug in the ATO which then starts a fill cycle.

I was just wondering if anyone else has a similar setup and if there is a better way of handling this. I will be going away and want to install an auto feeder but would like to maximize the time the food remains suspended so the fish can get to it.

I can put the ato and the return pump on wifi outlets but I’m not crazy about having the ato switch on and start filling again every time it turns on. Also not crazy about the idea of my return pump shutting off and on while I’m away.

Just wondering what others do. I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

While away, I’d keep return pump going 100% of the time.
If something goes wrong and it doesn’t start, you’re in trouble.
They’ll get feed.

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

You can turn off the audible alarm for when the osmolator high sensor is triggered then it won't be annoying if it gets turned on. I would just disable the alarm and then leave the unit on.

 

[Charlie G]

If I disable the alarm or even if I don’t and the sensor senses ‘too high’ will the unit work as usual once the level is restored (the return pump turns on again or water evaporates to the proper level) ?

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

If you disable the alarm the pump will not pump when the float is triggered but once the water level drops back below the float it will keep functioning as normal.

 

[Charlie G]

Great. I appreciate all the input.
Safest course I guess is to keep the pumps running. Ill try to find a way for the food to stay in the water column long enough.

If you have any other techniques you use for feeding the livestock it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

I don’t have that problem with my Prism brand of ATO. On my Oceanic BioCube. I have a total of three of them on my Aquariums, all work perfectly. The only problem I had was they slid down. Solved it by Supergluing “O” Rings on the outside.

I have a couple of prism ato, but keep a close eye on the inside magnet. I had one that corroded after the plastic cracked and leached a bunch of crap into my tank. I usually check my magnets reguarly, but being in the back it was out of sight out of mind.