Where does ATO sensor go?

[Uncle99]

So first time with sump in 20 years.
Where does the ATO sensor go in the sump?
The first chamber, the middle fuge, or the return?

 

[Mical]

I have mine in the return section

 

[ReeferWarrant]

I dont have a sump, but my assumption would be the return. In my AIO I have it where the pump is, the return, so it doesnt have an opportunity of running dry.

 

[Spieg]

Yes, it goes in the return section where the return pump is located. That should be the only area where water level will change.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Here is my sump just to give you a clear picture. The only water level that change is the return pump chamber.

And if you are using Tunze ATO 3155. What I did was separate the water sensor with the high sensor since whenever I turned off the return pump the high sensor will trigger(float up)

 

[vetteguy53081]

In my Drop off tank AIO, I have it at the area opposite the overflow into AIO sump area

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

Always in the last section or any area that maintains the same level as last/return.

 

[Spieg]

And if you are using Tunze ATO 3155. What I did was separate the water sensor with the high sensor since whenever I turned off the return pump the high sensor will trigger(float up)

That's what I did as well. Put high level sensor just above the level that water will fill to when the return pump is shut off. Otherwise the alarm goes off every time I use feed mode.

 

[Pistondog]

So first time with sump in 20 years.
Where does the ATO sensor go in the sump?
The first chamber, the middle fuge, or the return?

Depends.
You want it in a stable area.
If the return is small, maybe in the chamber just ahead.
In my eshopps r200, the return is tiny and has a small mechanical filter feeding it, which gets clogged, starving the return. This would also incorrectly trigger the ato. But my ato sensor is located in the skimmer section, more stable water level.
Eshopps supplies a float switch in the return section, no thank you.

 

[Spieg]

Depends.
You want it in a stable area.
If the return is small, maybe in the chamber just ahead.
In my eshopps r200, the return is tiny and has a small mechanical filter feeding it, which gets clogged, starving the return. This would also incorrectly trigger the ato. But my ato sensor is located in the skimmer section, more stable water level.
Eshopps supplies a float switch in the return section, no thank you.

Can't imagine how this setup would work unless you maintain the water level in the skimmer section so that it is always higher than the exit baffle for that section, otherwise how would the water level ever drop and turn on the ATO pump?

 

[Pistondog]

Can't imagine how this setup would work unless you maintain the water level in the skimmer section so that it is always higher than the exit baffle for that section, otherwise how would the water level ever drop and turn on the ATO pump?

The r200 sump water is all at the same level, unless there is a blockage.
It's a different design.
Overflow section feeds a small portion of flow (5%?) Into the refugium, the rest bypasses underneath to skimmer section. The skimmer section feeds the return thru an adjustable height dam, where a mechanical filter is located. The refugium spills over into the return.
I think there is some advantage to not having 100% of flow thru refugium.

R-200 Refugium Sump 3rd Gen

Eshopps sumps are made out of quality components and let you add additional water volume while giving you more space for filtration and equipment placement. The design of the Refugium series of sumps is simply outstanding. From a drain and return chamber cover, individual flow paths, and ease of...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Philly Reefer]

The r200 sump water is all at the same level, unless there is a blockage.
It's a different design.
Overflow section feeds a small portion of flow (5%?) Into the refugium, the rest bypasses underneath to skimmer section. The skimmer section feeds the return thru an adjustable height dam, where a mechanical filter is located. The refugium spills over into the return.
I think there is some advantage to not having 100% of flow thru refugium.

R-200 Refugium Sump 3rd Gen

Eshopps sumps are made out of quality components and let you add additional water volume while giving you more space for filtration and equipment placement. The design of the Refugium series of sumps is simply outstanding. From a drain and return chamber cover, individual flow paths, and ease of...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I was looking at the eshopps sump before deciding with the baffle from ebay. The return pump placement is in the back. I didn't like that. I want to see all my chambers without having to crawl in the stand.

I do like the way the refugium is not on the same flow with the skimmer. But it's not feasible with my 20g long sump

 

[Uncle99]

Ok, I hear everyone and the large majority say ATO in reserve.

For the last two weeks it’s in my first chamber in a quiet area, seems to do the same job as return.
My first chamber and refugium run at 7” and my return, slightly lower at 6”, when water leaves the system through evaporations, doesn’t the water leave the entire sump.

If my filtration system is balanced (water leaving is equal to water returned) shouldn’t the ATO work in any chamber?

Is there something I should be concerned about by not placing in return? (Ie.....won’t function correctly?)

It not hard to move back, just trying to understand the “why” everyone seems to put in return...

 

[Biglew11]

If the water level is the same level all the way throughout the sump then the ato sensor will be ok in any spot.

However if the water level is at different heights in any chamber then the sensor needs to be in the lowest chamber, most likely the return section. The chambers before the return section remain at the same level. as the water evaporates it's the return section that the water level will drop first.

 

[Uncle99]

Ok, that makes sense....thank you....
Moving it return section

 

[Uncle99]

Completed, ATO in return.
Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[mushroom_dude]

Here is my sump just to give you a clear picture. The only water level that change is the return pump chamber.

And if you are using Tunze ATO 3155. What I did was separate the water sensor with the high sensor since whenever I turned off the return pump the high sensor will trigger(float up)

how are you liking the metal shelving ?
do you have a display on top of it?