Problem with ATO in Fluval 13.5g

[dr_vinnie_boombatz]

Hello,
I have a Etsy 3D printed chamber 1 media basket which runs filter floss up top and carbon right below it. I have a heater in chamber 2. The problem I run into is as the filter floss gets dirty the ATO does not fill up, so when I change the filter floss in the morning the chamber 3 level drops significantly and the ATO kicks in. I'm wondering if I should just switch to an inTank media basket or a nano protein skimmer in chamber 1.... any recommendations?
I have the bypass plug installed as well.

 

[dave001]

Is this the fluval flex 57L? If so I run skimmer in chamber 1, media (carbon, sponge and bio stuff) in 2nd and my return and heater in 3rd

 

[dave001]

Also got a uv steraliser in chamber 3....still not sure how it fits on there

 

[dr_vinnie_boombatz]

Is this the fluval flex 57L? If so I run skimmer in chamber 1, media (carbon, sponge and bio stuff) in 2nd and my return and heater in 3rd

negative, its the Fluval Evo 13.5g

 

[CO2TLEY]

I think ISeaLive carries a fleece roller for your tank. I just picked one up for my WB 20 and couldn’t be happier with it

 

[dr_vinnie_boombatz]

I think ISeaLive carries a fleece roller for your tank. I just picked one up for my WB 20 and couldn’t be happier with it

 

[CO2TLEY]

 

[dave001]

negative, its the Fluval Evo 13.5g

Oh, I did actually move all this over from an evo13, same setup just on the side basically same volume but shape fits my little space better

 

[anemonalex]

Try putting the Ato. In chamber 3; turning it off during maintenance. I put my Ato in an external refugium. Check out my build thread.

 

[dr_vinnie_boombatz]

Update for everyone, I ended up buying the inTank media basket as it was same day delivery on Amazon and problem solved! the 3DOcean one I believe was somehow trapping air which was causing fluctuations when I changed the filter floss. My salinity has been rock now, the ATO working perfect, and have seen a decent increase in nutrient intake.