{"product_id":"autoaqua-smart-skimmer-securty-system","title":"AutoAqua Smart Skimmer Security System","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCuts power to the skimmer before the cup overflows your cabinet.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AutoAqua Smart Skimmer Security is a standalone overflow cut-off for a protein skimmer. An optical sensor clamps to the collection cup on a magnet, and the moment skimmate reaches it the unit kills mains power to the skimmer and sounds an alarm. It handles up to 10 amps — around 2,200 W on Australian 240 V mains — so it will switch any skimmer pump you are likely to own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat actually goes wrong, and what this stops\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA skimmer does not fail gradually. It runs correctly for weeks, then something shifts the bubble column — a dose of carbon, a water change, a feed, a slug of fresh top-off water — and the cup fills in under an hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe cup overflows, not the tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e Skimmate runs down the body, out the cup lid, and into the cabinet or across the sump. On a sump in a cabinet, the first sign is usually the smell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNothing upstream notices.\u003c\/strong\u003e An ATO, a controller running a dosing schedule and a return pump all keep working normally while this happens. The skimmer is the only thing misbehaving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt happens on the days you are not there.\u003c\/strong\u003e Skimmers go unstable after the changes you make and then leave alone — which is the weekend and the night before a trip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe cost is not the skimmate.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a litre or two of nutrient-dense waste back into the display, and a cabinet floor that stays wet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow it behaves\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unit sits between the wall socket and the skimmer pump. There is nothing to program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEvent\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat the unit does\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSkimmate reaches the optical sensor on the cup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCuts mains power to the skimmer, flashes red and sounds an audible alarm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou empty and refit the cup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuto-recovery restores power without a manual reset\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMains power returns after an outage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA power-on delay holds the skimmer off before restarting it\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA transient splash or bubble touches the sensor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA detection delay holds the trip, so a momentary wetting does not shut the skimmer down\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe delays are the part that matters in practice. An overflow sensor with no delay logic trips on froth and gets unplugged within a fortnight, which leaves you with no protection at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAA2293\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBarcode\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4714041212273\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFunction\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProtein skimmer overflow cut-off with audible and visual alarm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSensor type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptical, magnetically mounted to the collection cup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMagnet size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 mm diameter x 17 mm thick\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eInput and output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100-240 V AC, 10 A\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaximum switched load\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2,200 W at 220 V AC (1,100 W at 110 V AC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSensor cable length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 m (10 ft)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSetup\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlug-and-play, no programming, no controller required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecovery\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAutomatic once the cup is emptied\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit my skimmer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFit is decided by the collection cup wall, not by the skimmer brand. The sensor is a two-part magnetic clamp: it grips through the cup wall, so the wall has to be thin enough for the magnets to hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCup wall thickness\u003c\/strong\u003e is the limiting figure. AutoAqua publishes a maximum mounting thickness for the skimmer sensor of 8 mm on the current model. Most acrylic skimmer cups sit well under that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCable reach\u003c\/strong\u003e is 3 m from the sensor back to the switch unit, which covers a sump skimmer and a socket outside the cabinet on almost any setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLoad\u003c\/strong\u003e is a non-issue. At 10 A the unit will switch any aquarium skimmer pump, DC or AC, with a very large margin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet the sensor height deliberately.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mount it near the top of the cup, not at the neck. Too low and you lose most of the cup's useful volume to nuisance trips.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich AutoAqua Security unit do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three Security units share the same switch body and the same delay logic. What differs is the sensor and the failure it watches for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUnit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWatches\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTypical job\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmart Skimmer Security — this page\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSkimmate level in the collection cup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStops a skimmer overflowing into the cabinet or sump\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-smart-smart-level-security\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart Level Security\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater level in the tank or sump\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStops an overflow, or a pump running dry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-smart-temp-security\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart Temp Security\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCuts a heater that has stuck on, or a chiller that has stuck off\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are independent devices, each with its own switched outlet. Running more than one is normal — they do not talk to each other and do not need a controller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAny marine setup where the skimmer sits in a cabinet or a sump room\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA new skimmer during its break-in weeks, when overflows are most likely\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReefers who dose carbon, bacteria or amino acids and see the skimmer react\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who travels and leaves the tank running unattended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSkimmers without any built-in level control of their own\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControlling skimmer output or tuning the foam head — it is a cut-off, not a regulator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTank water level or ATO duty — use the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-smart-smart-level-security\"\u003eSmart Level Security\u003c\/a\u003e or an \u003ca href=\"\/products\/autoaqua-smart-ato-duo\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart ATO Duo\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature protection — use the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-smart-temp-security\"\u003eSmart Temp Security\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCup walls thicker than the published mounting limit, where the magnet cannot grip reliably\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a drain line or a sump with enough freeboard — this is a second line of defence, not the first\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep the switch unit dry and above the water line.\u003c\/strong\u003e AutoAqua states this plainly in the manual. It is a mains switch, not a submersible device.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRun it on an RCD-protected circuit\u003c\/strong\u003e and use a drip loop on every cable, as with all mains equipment near an aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTest it before you rely on it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Lift the sensor into wet skimmate by hand and confirm the skimmer cuts and the alarm sounds. Do this when the unit is new and again after any cup change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDo not exceed 10 A\u003c\/strong\u003e on the switched outlet, and do not daisy-chain a powerboard of equipment through it. It is intended to switch the skimmer alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClean the sensor face.\u003c\/strong\u003e Skimmate film on an optical sensor is the usual cause of a late trip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWipe the sensor and the inside of the cup wall whenever you empty the cup — an optical sensor reads through the film that builds up on both.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRe-test the trip after moving the sensor, changing skimmers, or swapping the collection cup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck the magnet grip after cleaning. Salt creep under a magnet foot lets the sensor slide down the cup over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere are no consumable parts and nothing to calibrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-smart-temp-security\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart Temp Security\u003c\/a\u003e — covers the other overnight failure that empties a reef tank, a heater stuck on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/auto-aqua-smart-smart-level-security\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart Level Security\u003c\/a\u003e — sump and display level protection, the natural pair with skimmer protection on a sumped system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autoaqua-smart-ato-duo\"\u003eAutoAqua Smart ATO Duo\u003c\/a\u003e — dual-sensor auto top-off, so top-off water arrives at a steady rate rather than in the slugs that upset a skimmer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sea-reefer-skimmer-300-psk600\"\u003eRed Sea Reefer Skimmer 300 PSK600\u003c\/a\u003e — an in-sump skimmer this unit is well matched to.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/aqua-medic-turboflotor-5000\"\u003eAqua Medic Turboflotor 5000\u003c\/a\u003e — a larger in-sump skimmer, comfortably inside the 10 A switching limit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutoAqua does not publish a warranty term for the Smart Security range. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply to this product and are not limited by any manufacturer's warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unit accepts 100-240 V AC, so it runs on Australian 230-240 V mains. Ships as a standard parcel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes the AutoAqua Smart Skimmer Security work with any brand of skimmer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, provided two things are true. The collection cup wall must be within the published magnetic mounting thickness so the sensor can clamp to it, and the skimmer pump must draw under 10 amps, which every aquarium skimmer does. The unit switches mains power to the pump, so it is indifferent to the skimmer's brand, body design or whether the pump is AC or DC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I have to reset it after the skimmer trips?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The unit has an auto-recovery function: once you empty the collection cup and the sensor is clear, power is restored to the skimmer without pressing anything. A power-on delay holds the skimmer off briefly before it restarts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it false-trip every time the foam surges?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is designed not to. AutoAqua builds a detection delay into the Smart Security range specifically so a momentary splash or a passing bubble does not shut equipment down, and a separate power-on delay so the skimmer does not restart into an unstable state straight after a blackout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow much power can it switch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unit is rated 100-240 V AC at 10 amps, which AutoAqua states as 2,200 W at 220 V AC and 1,100 W at 110 V AC. On Australian mains that is roughly 2,200 W — far more than any aquarium skimmer pump requires. It should still be used to switch the skimmer alone rather than a powerboard of equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow long is the sensor cable?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree metres, which AutoAqua also lists as 10 feet. That is enough to run from a skimmer cup in a sump, out of the cabinet, to a switch unit mounted dry near the power outlet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs this the same as an auto top-off controller?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. An ATO adds fresh water to replace evaporation. This unit only removes power from the skimmer when the collection cup fills. They protect against different failures and are commonly run together on the same system.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AutoAqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242245701923,"sku":"AA2293","price":119.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/autoaqua-smart-skimmer-securty-system-3000770-1600.jpg?v=1781836521","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/autoaqua-smart-skimmer-securty-system","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}