Sump too close, can’t use ATO

[Krully]

So I have a Reefer 350, I was using the gravity fed ATO but I’ll be leaving for a week on Sunday and needed something bigger. Bought a Tunze 3155.

However I didn’t plan for that and both sides of my sump I can put the sensors are too close to the cabinet walls...I’m pretty sure moving the sump isn’t an option so now I have to find something else. I’ll probably just fill the gravity fed ATO with the Tunze for the time being but I wanted your advice on what I could do? I believe the Tunze magnet can’t go underwater so that’s not an option

thanks for your help!

 

[ahiggins]

If you’re going to be gone...what’s the harm in putting it in the front and leaving the bottom open? No one will see it lol

 

[Krully]

The return section of the red sea sump is in the back, which means both sides I could put the magnet on are close to the right and back wall... Yeah I wouldn't give a dang about that otherwise but this isn't feasible unfortunately...

 

[Cell]

Could always just put it in the DT while you are on vacation.

 

[Krully]

Could always just put it in the DT while you are on vacation.

I've read many times the only appropriate section for the ATO is in the return section, are you sure about that?

 

[SMSREEF]

I've read many times the only appropriate section for the ATO is in the return section, are you sure about that?

If you have a sump, it should be in the return section.

what about using a vacuum sealer and using that to waterproof the exterior magnet. I read someone on here does that for their wavemaker magnets so they can go in the overflow chamber.

 

[Reefnman2]

I've read many times the only appropriate section for the ATO is in the return section, are you sure about that?

For the ATO to be most accurate you should run it into the return section but you can place it where you want, when I had a FOWLR I ran my ato into the skimmer section and was just fine.

 

[homer1475]

Both Tunze magnets inside and outside are the same water proof magnet.

Let me see if I can find the quote from @rvitko

 

[KStatefan]

How does having the ATO in the display tank or the skimmer section work? The return section is the only area that has a change in water level.

 

[Reefnman2]

How does having the ATO in the display tank or the skimmer section work? The return section is the only area that has a change in water level.

My skimmer section stays near the same depth so it wasn't perfect but kept it close enough I could take a trip for a couple of weeks.

 

[SMSREEF]

This is their instructions. They even have an exclamation point, lol.

“In aquarium cabinets with multiple chambers or submerged aquarium chamber filters, always insert the sensors into the last filter chamber with the return pump, see figure (3)!”

maybe others sumps are set up different. My return would be out of water and pump burned up before any other section of sump had a lower water level.

 

[GabeM]

Do not put your sensors anywhere but the return section lol. I would agree with putting the magnet in a bag or waterproofing it some other way so that you can mount it within the interior sump walls.

 

[member 99594]

Please don’t put the ato in the DT or the skimmer section. There is no possible way this would ever work. Return section only.

I’d like to know if the people that did put the ato in other locations actually tested salinity.

 

[Reefnman2]

I have a ball valve on my return and I set the flow to where all the chambers in my sump stay the same, to say it can only be in the return is ridiculous IMO, sometimes you have to think outside the box.

 

[homer1475]

Yes, both halves are waterproof.

From the thread:

3155 Osmolator magnet

Are the magnets that are used to attach the sensor safe to be underwater? the way my sump is configured in my stand I can only fit the magnet underwater in the sump.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[GabeM]

I have a ball valve on my return and I set the flow to where all the chambers in my sump stay the same, to say it can only be in the return is ridiculous IMO, sometimes you have to think outside the box.

You run your water level higher than all of the dividers in your sump?

 

[member 99594]

I have a ball valve on my return and I set the flow to where all the chambers in my sump stay the same, to say it can only be in the return is ridiculous IMO, sometimes you have to think outside the box.

Are you running an AC pump? Personally, I’d never do this!!

 

[KStatefan]

My skimmer section stays near the same depth so it wasn't perfect but kept it close enough I could take a trip for a couple of weeks.

Still do not understand how that works. The level in the skimmer section is set by the baffle height and should not change as water evaporates.

 

[Cell]

Could always just put it in the DT while you are on vacation.

Oops it's too early. Was thinking about just the water outlet for some reason. How about just rigging up the sensor sans magnet? Secure the wire and hang the sensor into the water perhaps?

 

[Reefnman2]

I'm not doing it now but when I did I took out the adjustable baffle and kept every thing at around 6 In. I'm not saying it's a perfect solution I'm just trying to give the guy a possible option so he can take his trip.