Tunze 3152 Nano ATO

[Mark Bianco]

I have a 50 ish frag tank and a 50gl sump and was thinking of using this ATO the issue I have is my rodi container is about 12' away. so the pump would have to first overcome 4' head then travel about 13' would this setup work? If not would the larger 3155 be a better fit. Then again are the cables on either unit long enough?
Mark

 

[rvitko]

If the overall volume excedes 55 gallons I don't recommend it, it won't be able to keep up and it definitely won't work with that length of run. You can extend the cables but the 3152 only lets the pump run for 3 minutes max at 7V, basically the most it can deliver for a top of is about 3/4 gallon. The 3155 is variable from 7-11V and runs for 10 minutes and can deliver up to 3 gallons at 11V in 10 minutes. You can extend the wire with speaker wire and you would need to extend the top off hose. I don't recommend extensions as they add complexity, more wire junctions that can corrode and fail. The stock hose is 9ft long and the stock wiring is about the same. You should always view the reservoir volume as the final safety, if it holds enough to wipe out your tank which is generally anything too big to fit in a cabinet, it is best not done. Use a small 5-10 gallon reservoir and fill it manually every week or two as needed.

 

[Mark Bianco]

Roger thanks for the info. I do have one more question before I pull the trigger. Due to the way the tank is made it is impossible to install the sensor in the tank. I would need to install the sensor in the sump, however the sump is not a standard sump or tank it is a 50 gl plastic animal watering trouf bought at Farm and Fleet and the sides are slightly tapered so the sensor would be at an angle. Probably never beeen asked before, but will this affect the function of the sensor?

Thanks in advance
Mark

 

[rvitko]

It could, I am familiar with these tanks but I have never tried it. If the walls are fairly thin, I suspect you could wedge up the top of the magnet with a plastic shim and make it level. Lowes/ Home Depot have small plastic shims in the cabinetry dept.