Ideas for elevating ATO Output Tube Above ATO Container Water Line

[Patrick Cox]

My ATO Container is slightly taller than my sump and I need to come up with a way to mount the output tube a couple of inches above the top of my sump to avoid starting a syphon when the ATO pump shuts off. So, I am looking for ideas and suggestions for good ways to do this. On my old tank I clipped the output tube to my skimmer but my new skimmer doesn't have a place for doing that. So I need maybe some sort of bracket that I can attach to my sump that would elevate the tube. Here is my current setup that is too low. Thanks!

 

[exnisstech]

You say the ato container is taller than the sump. If the pump is in the bottom of the ato container it should be lower than the end of the hose and a syphon will not start. The only way a syphon will start is if the pump is higher than the end of the hose going to the sump. Unless you have the ato container elevated I don't see a problem just make sure the end of the hose going to the sump stays above the water level

 

[ScottJ]

Do you use a syphon break on your ato output tube?

 

[marinesnow]

A check valve would do the trick.

 

[Patrick Cox]

You say the ato container is taller than the sump. If the pump is in the bottom of the ato container it should be lower than the end of the hose and a syphon will not start. The only way a syphon will start is if the pump is higher than the end of the hose going to the sump. Unless you have the ato container elevated I don't see a problem just make sure the end of the hose going to the sump stays above the water level

Hi,
The pump level is not the determining factor. It is the water level in the container vs the level of the output tube. If the output tube is lower than the water level in the container, then a syphon will start. Right now I keep the water level in the container lower than the top of the sump, but I am still currently at risk. Here is another picture...

Thanks.

 

[Patrick Cox]

A check valve would do the trick.

How would I install that? I am using a Tunze osmolator. Thanks.

 

[Patrick Cox]

Do you use a syphon break on your ato output tube?

How would I install that with the Tunze osmolator output tube. Thanks.

 

[exnisstech]

Interesting. That's not how it worked in my system. I created a chamber on the end of my sump as an ATO reservoir. That reservoir when full had a water level 10 inches higher than the level of the return chamber where the ato hose pumped to. No syphon ever because the end of the hose is attached to the pump that is lower than the end of the hose water discharged from. The only way a syphon could start is if the pump were raised so it is higher than the discharge end.
When you syphon water out of your tank the discharge end of the hose has to be lower then the intake end not just lower than the water level of the tank

Edit: Unless I am misunderstanding and you are talking about water back siphoning into the ato chamber? If so just don't submerge the discharge end of the ato hose.

 

[marinesnow]

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[Patrick Cox]

.

I don't think so. Here are the hose specs...

Also, this tubing is not as rigid as the RODI tubing

PVC hose, ø4 x 7mm (1/5” x 1/3”)​

 

[KStatefan]

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

View attachment 3174078

This. Both of my tanks have the same setup.

 

[KStatefan]

If you do not want to do the air gap this is your other option

 

[jda]

Have it pump up into the tank. This is better anyway, IMO, since too much freshwater into the sump can make some skimmers function badly or you can send lower salinity saltwater into reactors or other things.

 

[Patrick Cox]

View attachment 3174078

Thanks. This is a good idea. Now I need a way to attach some PVC to my sump. Some sort of bracket I guess.

 

[KStatefan]

You do not need to go very high you could just attach the hose to your filter roller or something else.

 

[minus9]

I use a simple airline check valve at the end of the line on my Tunze and replace it once a year. This also prevents a back siphon, which creates bubbles in the pump, which stalls the pump from priming, so double bonus.