esacjack Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 I noticed over the last few days, the occupants of my tank were a bit on the distressed side. I wasnt sure what was going on, with Nitrates at near 0 and 0 ammonia/nitrites. I decided to check my salinity off schedule (i generally check once a week) and it turns out my salinity was at 1.018! At that exact moment I heard the ATO kick on for a few seconds, then stop. I then heard a gurgling noise, the tell tale sign of back siphoning. I knew I'd cut a hole in the ATO tubing above the water line to prevent this very thing. But then I noticed my media bag had somehow shifted and was causing water tension across the output nozzle of the ATO. Sure enough, seconds later, the ATO kicked on and then stopped, only to start back siphoning. I shut off the ATO and tested the salinity of my ATO water which should be zero. It was sitting at 1.015! Proof the system was back siphoning into the ATO container. To resolve, I cut the return hose from the ATO shorter by a 1/4 inch so that it is drastically above the waterline. My only concern now is salt creep from the splash. Sigh. Now every hour I'm adding about 10-20ml of concentrated salt water to bring the salinity back up. Now I need to dump out my ATO reservoir and fill with fresh RO. Double sigh. Lesson learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 What's the lesson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 Second lesson learned. Never create a saltwater concentrate in a coffee mug, and leave it sitting next to your actual coffee mug... blech... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 What's the lesson? Always verify your ATO output tube is well above the water level so that it doesnt back siphon and lower your salinity to a dangerous level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 check valve is another option 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 check valve is another option thats a great idea! Thanks vic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Once you get up to 1.02, you can just top off with the salt water you accidentally created in your ATO container. It's a more controlled way to bring it back up and you don't end up wasting water. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Monnat Jr Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 I had a similar hard lesson when my ATO with limewater shut off but continued siphoning into my sump. My sump overflowed (a little) and pH went through the roof. Sometimes siphoning really sucks (pun unintended, but there it is). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Second lesson learned. Never create a saltwater concentrate in a coffee mug, and leave it sitting next to your actual coffee mug... blech... Ick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpb Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Well that's all very reassuring! Lol. I just installed my first ato today. Hasn't needed to kick on yet. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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