Need pointed in the right direction - need a diy solution that lets me know when water runs dry and the AIO drains (due to ATO failure).

[Kpence73]

I had a run dry situation while on vacation. My ATO failed and never topped off the tank. If you saw my post on R2R, you know what happened. But I lost all fish, most inverts, clams, and anemone. I was recommend Hydros for its flexbility and reliability. I am looking at the XP8 AC strip for my things that just plug in like the return pump, heater, etc. I am also looking at the Hydros ATO kit. But here is my big question, I need the ability to be alerted when/if the ATO fails and the tank AIO ends up running dry again. I have been pointed here because people have said they have seen the Hydros DIYers do it before. I get that the ATO triple sensor (even with float) can determine if the water dropped below the sensor, but that is not what I am talking about. I want something (sensor,etc) that is submerged to a level just above return pump intake and if it “goes dry” it will shut the pump, heater, and UV off. I’m not concerned about the temperature as my apartment stays around 78F and the lights keep the tank at 80-81F, but don’t want it running if it is above the water line (I have a hygger solid submersible heater that I love).

Someone said they saw someone use a mechanical Hydros float and write a rule to verse It’s tripper. So instead of plung goes in, ATO stops, I want something like water level dropped, plunger drops, triggers action (so the plunger would be submerged and would be in the UP position when normal).

Before I start spending money on things, is this even possible. I have the app, but a lot of it is dependent on having the devices connected to see how it all works.

 

[Kpence73]

I think I may have answered my own question while adding Hydros things to my cart. They have a

HYDROS Water Level Sensor​

That I was planning on getting for the ATO jug. Since it alerts when the jug gets low, I am assuming I can put it down further into my AIO just above the pump and if the AIO runs dry, it will trigger an alarm?? Could that then be used to shut off the XP8 AC strip devices?

 

[Danny]

I think I may have answered my own question while adding Hydros things to my cart. They have a

HYDROS Water Level Sensor​

That I was planning on getting for the ATO jug. Since it alerts when the jug gets low, I am assuming I can put it down further into my AIO just above the pump and if the AIO runs dry, it will trigger an alarm?? Could that then be used to shut off the XP8 AC strip devices?

Yes, I have a low level float switch on mine that powers off the return pump. I use the return pump as the depends on in my heater outputs and my skimmer output so those will also power off if the return pump is powered off.

 

[thom_smith]

I think I may have answered my own question while adding Hydros things to my cart. They have a

HYDROS Water Level Sensor​

That I was planning on getting for the ATO jug. Since it alerts when the jug gets low, I am assuming I can put it down further into my AIO just above the pump and if the AIO runs dry, it will trigger an alarm?? Could that then be used to shut off the XP8 AC strip devices?

Alternative option--actually second, third and fourth failsafe notifications--would be set Maximum Off Time and Maximum On Time for your ATO. So I'd use an Advanced > Generic output for ATO with two inputs defined. Sump Level, Active When Dry. And Reservoir Level, Active When Wet. This will activate when both the AIO return chamber is low and the reservoir isn't empty. With the additional Maximum Off and Maximum On Times you will get an alert if the ATO output doesn't run in 'hours (i.e. the Sump Level sensor failed which, BTW, standard level sensor fails wet ) or if the pump output ran too long (i.e. something blocked the pump intake). Once you learn properties of your pump, you could to power monitoring also so if the pump is running but watts power draw is below or above yout defined criteria then you'd also receive a notification. Several different options depending on how you want to manage it.

 

[Kpence73]

So what would be better? The float switch to detect low water levels in my AIO or the optical sensor? I can’t do both, not enough space. Same for the ATO supply, float or optical for running low?

 

[thom_smith]

So what would be better? The float switch to detect low water levels in my AIO or the optical sensor? I can’t do both, not enough space. Same for the ATO supply, float or optical for running low?

Neither is better. Really a matter of use case and personal preference. I would guess the optical sensor would probably be better for the AIO and doesn't really matter for reservoir.

 

[Kpence73]

I ended up having an optical in my ATO reservoir, a tri-optical for the ATO with a float back up. Then I have an optical almost to the bottom of my AIO as an emergency run dry alarm. I also put an optical sensor on the intake side that stays dry and alerts me when the sock gets glogged and the intake level increases. Works well for what I wanted.

 

[KenHuy]

I had a run dry situation while on vacation. My ATO failed and never topped off the tank. If you saw my post on R2R, you know what happened. But I lost all fish, most inverts, clams, and anemone. I was recommend Hydros for its flexbility and reliability. I am looking at the XP8 AC strip for my things that just plug in like the return pump, heater, etc. I am also looking at the Hydros ATO kit. But here is my big question, I need the ability to be alerted when/if the ATO fails and the tank AIO ends up running dry again. I have been pointed here because people have said they have seen the Hydros DIYers do it before. I get that the ATO triple sensor (even with float) can determine if the water dropped below the sensor, but that is not what I am talking about. I want something (sensor,etc) that is submerged to a level just above return pump intake and if it “goes dry” it will shut the pump, heater, and UV off. I’m not concerned about the temperature as my apartment stays around 78F and the lights keep the tank at 80-81F, but don’t want it running if it is above the water line (I have a hygger solid submersible heater that I love).

Someone said they saw someone use a mechanical Hydros float and write a rule to verse It’s tripper. So instead of plung goes in, ATO stops, I want something like water level dropped, plunger drops, triggers action (so the plunger would be submerged and would be in the UP position when normal).

Before I start spending money on things, is this even possible. I have the app, but a lot of it is dependent on having the devices connected to see how it all works.

A level sensor +a solenoid valve+a gateway will solve this issue. See this Wireless Level Monitoring & Alarm Solution-Holykell-Measuring Instrument

 

[Danny]

Sorry posted in the wrong feed.