IM 30L Tunze nano float sensor placement - water level too high?

[3sxp]

Hi there. I have an IM 30L and am trying to install a Tunze nano 3152. However I can't get it to trigger. I'm wondering if the water level is too high. As it is I have the magnet about 1mm above the rim of the tank. The sensor also seems to sort of rotate to one side, tilting the sensor, if left to its own devices. I'm wondering if the water level needs to be much lower in order for this sensor to work. However, this is the normal water level I keep the tank at for aesthetic reasons. Rimless tanks look weird when the water level is low. :P

I'm going to take a bunch of water out and see if that triggers it, but so far I've taken out 4 cups of water and it still didn't trigger. This is way too much evaporation to tolerate, and I'm told that these sensors should maintain a very stable water level.

I'm also wondering if anyone puts some kind of spacer in between the magnets to keep the sensor higher, and if, with this tank especially, this is an unusually high water level.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I had the same issue. I just ended up accepting a lower "stable" level in the evap chamber. To do this, though, you need to remove saltwater until it reaches the high water sensor.

I've had to push my sensor up so that part of the magnet isn't touching glass to achieve a slightly higher level.

Your water level is very high! Siphon out a couple inches of saltwater. Usually the water level on the tank can be adjusted via the tidal overflow blockers, the water level in the evap chamber is not supposed to go that high, it's probably very close to being as high as the emergency overflow cutout.

Here’s my evap chamber at its lowest.

 

[afrokobe]

You water level is waaay too high. The back chamber needs to lower than the display and the water needs to have a little bit of cascading effect from your display into your filtration (where the intakes are). Otherwise you will be dealing with surface scum constantly and thats super unsightly

 

[afrokobe]

Picture of my back chamber in 20 peninsula.

 

[PR_nano]

Agree w @afrokobe water level too high. Needs cascade effect. If your return was to stopped your tank will overflow.

 

[3sxp]

Wow, ok, thank you. Weird, I've been running it high for the 6 or so years I've had it (as freshwater before this) and never had an overflow -- just gotten lucky I guess. I just try to keep the intakes clear. I've seen photos of back chambers that low and just thought it was for maintenance!

I want to say the display level lowers as soon as I get any cascade in that main chamber (I also have my heater in there) but I might be wrong. I'll give it a shot.

Thanks very much for the comments!

 

[PR_nano]

You can add the water level raisers or make a dyi version if you would like to raise the display level. I use the fish guards and it raised the level a bit.

 

[afrokobe]

can try something like this if you want it up higher https://intankaquatics.com/intank-all-in-one-aquarium-surface-skimmer/

or the IM fish guard @PR_nano mentioned.

 

[X-37B]

If its an aio then the sensor goes into the return chamber not the tank. The level is controled their and the tanks level will then never change.
Just like this in my aio.

 

[3sxp]

If its an aio then the sensor goes into the return chamber not the tank. The level is controled their and the tanks level will then never change.
Just like this in my aio.

Thanks, yes - photo shows the sensor in the return.

 

[3sxp]

can try something like this if you want it up higher https://intankaquatics.com/intank-all-in-one-aquarium-surface-skimmer/

or the IM fish guard @PR_nano mentioned.

Thank you! Jeez. When I was keeping shrimp in this tank I made custom panels of 1mm stainless steel mesh that I rotated with clips behind the intakes. Enormous pain to clean! It probably would still have been necessary but the surface skimmer looks much better...

 

[3sxp]

it's probably very close to being as high as the emergency overflow cutout.

I'm just now re-reading your comment about "emergency overflow" -- this is an old tank, it doesn't have one. :| which is how I've gotten away with running it so high for so long, I suppose...