SkiSkiMF
New Member
My Fluval EVO 13.5 AIO is reaching it's 6 month mark, with issues arising and being resolved. However this time, I have something that has began to reoccur that I'd like to ask more experienced reefers on their opinions and troubleshoot less, opposing troubleshooting once a month when the issue pops up. The issue is this:
-My sump will go lower than the set water level for my ATO
-This will cause the ATO to pump water into my sump baffling.
-After water fills the ATO sensor and stops filling, the water level in the sump will go down immediately, and fill into the tank, raising the tank water level.
-This continues, and drastically (maybe an exaggeration on a 13.5 with the level going from 34ppt/1.0256sg to 32ppt/1.0015sg. Usually it fills or I catch it before it goes too low) changes Salinity and Temperature.
This failure will loop until interrupted, meaning I have to pull the power to the ATO and try and reset it. The first two times, the issue did not loop, however on month three, it has increased in occurrence and frequency.
Here is what I can mentally attribute it to when I troubleshoot:
-Bad flow, meaning the stock foam filter cartridge becomes too dirty, causing a bottleneck from Baffle one to Baffle two, causing the pump to work faster than the water can filter, emptying the chamber
-Overflow teeth clogging, preventing adequate and creating mismatching flow to the pump
-Filter fleece tray and ceramic bio balls clogging with debris, preventing adequate and creating mismatching flow to the pump
-Failing ATO component (The pump has gone out whilst sitting unused, my replacement pump arrives soon, however I opted to not replace the entire unit) being sensor or small single button controller
Things I have tried:
-Spraying and cleaning center/Baffle two foam filter cartridge, squeezing and rinsing until visibly clear
-Lightly rinsing ceramic media bags with RO water
-Replaced Baffle one with tray from Amazon listed below having the top layer be filter floss cut into squares that fit the Baffle, the second layer being a full layer of media bags with ceramic media balls, and the bottom compartment being the Titanium heater.
What I'm considering:
-Drilling/Cutting/Filing an Overflow hole or slit over Overflow so that the water will drain back into the sump before overflowing the main body of the tank. (Workaround but not a solution)
-Replacing the center/Baffle two Foam cartridge with another tray, possibly 3d printing it if and when I have time, I'm thinking this would be more porous and would allow for better flow
-Maybe I'm screwed and this is simply a regular occurrence of having an AIO
-Going for larger micron filter fleece
-Changing filter fleece more often (Currently 2x week if I'm on top of it)
Equipment:
Fluval EVO 13.5 gal AIO
Stock: Pump, Foam center/Baffle Cartridge, with the included carbon/ceramic pellets
Amazon tray https://a.co/d/cdgcks8
Filter Floss https://a.co/d/fogRXeN
Ceramic Media https://a.co/d/b1Xx41Z
Hygger pump https://a.co/d/9F9MaFn
IceCap ATO https://fragtasticreef.com/ato-auto-top-off-system-for-evaporation-icecap/
What are your thoughts? First post, I'm going to see if I can recursively add photos or anything else you guys need after posting to have a solution listed.
-My sump will go lower than the set water level for my ATO
-This will cause the ATO to pump water into my sump baffling.
-After water fills the ATO sensor and stops filling, the water level in the sump will go down immediately, and fill into the tank, raising the tank water level.
-This continues, and drastically (maybe an exaggeration on a 13.5 with the level going from 34ppt/1.0256sg to 32ppt/1.0015sg. Usually it fills or I catch it before it goes too low) changes Salinity and Temperature.
This failure will loop until interrupted, meaning I have to pull the power to the ATO and try and reset it. The first two times, the issue did not loop, however on month three, it has increased in occurrence and frequency.
Here is what I can mentally attribute it to when I troubleshoot:
-Bad flow, meaning the stock foam filter cartridge becomes too dirty, causing a bottleneck from Baffle one to Baffle two, causing the pump to work faster than the water can filter, emptying the chamber
-Overflow teeth clogging, preventing adequate and creating mismatching flow to the pump
-Filter fleece tray and ceramic bio balls clogging with debris, preventing adequate and creating mismatching flow to the pump
-Failing ATO component (The pump has gone out whilst sitting unused, my replacement pump arrives soon, however I opted to not replace the entire unit) being sensor or small single button controller
Things I have tried:
-Spraying and cleaning center/Baffle two foam filter cartridge, squeezing and rinsing until visibly clear
-Lightly rinsing ceramic media bags with RO water
-Replaced Baffle one with tray from Amazon listed below having the top layer be filter floss cut into squares that fit the Baffle, the second layer being a full layer of media bags with ceramic media balls, and the bottom compartment being the Titanium heater.
What I'm considering:
-Drilling/Cutting/Filing an Overflow hole or slit over Overflow so that the water will drain back into the sump before overflowing the main body of the tank. (Workaround but not a solution)
-Replacing the center/Baffle two Foam cartridge with another tray, possibly 3d printing it if and when I have time, I'm thinking this would be more porous and would allow for better flow
-Maybe I'm screwed and this is simply a regular occurrence of having an AIO
-Going for larger micron filter fleece
-Changing filter fleece more often (Currently 2x week if I'm on top of it)
Equipment:
Fluval EVO 13.5 gal AIO
Stock: Pump, Foam center/Baffle Cartridge, with the included carbon/ceramic pellets
Amazon tray https://a.co/d/cdgcks8
Filter Floss https://a.co/d/fogRXeN
Ceramic Media https://a.co/d/b1Xx41Z
Hygger pump https://a.co/d/9F9MaFn
IceCap ATO https://fragtasticreef.com/ato-auto-top-off-system-for-evaporation-icecap/
What are your thoughts? First post, I'm going to see if I can recursively add photos or anything else you guys need after posting to have a solution listed.
