ATO setting with Filter Roller (sumo height changing)

[bsdubois00]

Looking for some advice as to where to set the ATO sensor.

It seems that as the filter roller gets dirty the sump water level drops and eventually when the roller advances the sump level rises.

So the fluctuation in level is causing headache as to where to set the ATO sensor.

Should I set it right after a clean filter roller gets dirty advances or should I wait until right before?

Thanks!

 

[Snoopy 67]

Your ATO has to go in the return pump chamber because that is where the water levels change .

 

[bsdubois00]

Your ATO has to go in the return pump chamber because that is where the water levels change .

That’s where I have it

 

[Snoopy 67]

How big is your sump in gallons?

 

[bsdubois00]

Appx 25 gallons

 

[Snoopy 67]

Sumps generally run @ 50% so you only have about 12-13 gallons there. Not much at all.
You either have to have more water in it or get a bigger sump if you can.

 

[bsdubois00]

Sumps generally run @ 50% so you only have about 12-13 gallons there. Not much at all.
You either have to have more water in it or get a bigger sump if you can.

The tank is 3’ x 2’ x 2’ appx - there’s not a bigger sump that fits in the stand. I have the sump (28” wide x 16” deep) around 8-8.5” of water height (the recommended level from the skimmer and seems the go to level for everything)

 

[Dr. D]

Sorry, but if your sumo height is changing it’s all over.

 

[I never finish anythi]

This is how I run mine. I set the advancement of the reefmat to it's lowest and when it's full almost to the sensor in the reefmat, I will set my ato to that level in the return section .

 

[Clarkjw2002]

It does't really matter. Set it to where you need it for your return pump water level. It will balance out in the end.

 

[exnisstech]

My ATO sensors always go in the return chamber. I have a Reefer 300 with a roller and don't have an issue but I have to admit I can't tell you the last time I sat there and watched the water level in my sump. Tanks been running for 2+years and the roller has been running over a year and I've made no adjustments other than cleaning the optical sensor every few months on the ATO

 

[barry5o4]

Having same issue. As the fleece clogs the water level rises in the basket and then the return section water level decreases kicking on the ato then the fleece rolls and now the water level rises and this keeps happening until the ato overflows the tank. I noticed if the basket sits the furthest down into the chamber the water levels are normal but now the effectiveness is less

 

[Clarkjw2002]

If this is the case then you don't have enough reserve capacity in your sump/tank--or you keep moving your ATO sensor up as the fleece rolls, or the ATO sensor is already too high in your return chamber. It's not a positive feedback loop so it'll reach equilibrium at some point but you need to have enough capacity to hold the volume of water needed to reach that point.