Got a question about the location of the sensors for ATO setup. First off, my tank is not setup yet,still gathering equipment. I will be using a Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO with the ?optical sensor and float sensor(backup). My question is where is the best place to locate the sensors- the inlet side of the sump/refugium ( skimmer will be in this section), refugium area,outlet side? Also, what is best to use in the refugium- live rock, chaeto or something different? Thanks for any input
The switch should go on what ever end your return pump is on... The same chamber, which in turn should be the lower end. The last chamber.
The answer to the second part of your question is it depends what you want your refugium to do. In my case I wanted it to be a pod factory and handle my nitrates. So I have a deep sandbed, since my tank has a minimal substrate, and chaeto. My rock is in my sump so I only have one flat piece to deflect the flow. This is in a 16 gallon high that sets in my sump. Others have large refugiums that team with life. Mann's is a great example, it could be a tank on it's own. So visit some members and decide what you want it to do.
LOL... It kinda is.. LOLÂ Yes... There are many ways to set up a fuge... For the simple fuge... Just a ball of Cheato is needed.... For more ellaborate fuges.... Well, there are endless possiblities.. You just need to find one that you like and model it.
Here's a photo of my refugium just after I set it up about a month ago. I basically wanted a place for my hitchhiker crabs, an area for macroalgae, and pod home. Plus I had this beautiful red macro in my display tank that grows too fast to keep there. I've added some green gracillaria to add to the diversity and color pallete. The pods are thriving as well as my crabs. I feed them daily as well. It's kind of like it's own little secondary tank and hopefully when fully mature will help with the nitrates/phosphates.
Whitney at one time had a thread up for people to post pics of their refugiums... I dont know where that thread is and a search didnt pull it up... Maybe if you could find it, it would help.
