Tunze Osmolator

[ReeferRob]

So I took the plunge and ordered one last week! It arrived yesterday and am really happy with the quality construction and craftsman ship.

I did a search in the CR Showcase to see whom els is using the Osmolator for their ATO duties. Hopefully those with more experience can chim in and let me know what Im doing wrong.

The pump got stuck on twice yesterday, as the water kept filling past the "eye" and almost was triggered by the float switch and alarm. But I manually unplugged it both times as I heard the pump running.
Any ideas how to correct this issue guys?

[jimsflies]

Rob for some reason there is a film on them when they are brand new. I had the same problem...although it's hard to remember now because my vortech has been ni service for 6 years with virtually no problems.

You want to use hot soapy water (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16612247)to rinse off the sensor. Be sure to set it back up when you will be around to monitor it's performance for the first day or so.

[ReeferRob]

Thanks for the tip Jim, once I get home from work tonight and can keep an eye on it I will rinse it in HOT Dawn water!! And see how that works.


Does yours also have a 15 second delay from when the water touches the eye and then the pump turns off?

[stunreefer]

Rob, I believe they all do have that delay.

I used one in the past, but switched to an ELOS Osmolater, which is very similar in operation, except the "back-up" shut off is different.

[jimsflies]

It may have the delay...I don't even pay attention to it anymore...once a week I fill my top off jug and don't give it a second thought.

I do have the osmolator programmed in my neptune controller to shut off when the return pump is off. I usually turn off the return pump when I do a water change and that keeps the top off water from coming on during a water change. Also have it programmed to shut off with high pH because it goes through a kalk reactor...which prevents kalk overfeeds. A lesson learned the hard way on that.

[Rabidgoose]

yes there is a delay, I thought it was 10 sec but could be 15. It will also run for that amount of time when you interrupt power and plug it back in.

[jimsflies]

When it turns on it always runs for a few seconds for me too.

[iyachtuxivm]

I have two of these and love them both. When i purchased it (Preuss) Steve told me it ("eye") needs to be kinda "dirty" to work effectivly. He told me to set it up in the tank for a couple of days before using it I did that with both units never have had a problem.

[ReeferRob]

Rob, I believe they all do have that delay.

I used one in the past, but switched to an ELOS Osmolater, which is very similar in operation, except the "back-up" shut off is different.

This sucks.........I soaked and washed my probe in hot soap and water for a few minutes. Rinsed it well and dried it. Put it back into the tank and it filled just for a few seconds and turned off perfectly as it should with "level" light on.
Twenty minutes later, the float high alarm is ringing???

It's frustrating that this isn't working as planned.

I set mine up identical to the way pictured on the box with the new circular magnets. The only other thing I can think to try is putting the eye and the float on two seperate magnets instead of the one, with a wider range between the two before I launch this damn thing into the drive way.

[iyachtuxivm]

How close are the two sensors? When mine turns on (either one) as soon as the water covers the tip of the infra red sensor it shuts off . On my 75g they are both on 1 holder about 1" apart. On my "basement mess" They are next to each other about 2" apart, but on both the "off sensor" sitts about 1" higher then the on.

[ReeferRob]

How close are the two sensors? When mine turns on (either one) as soon as the water covers the tip of the infra red sensor it shuts off . On my 75g they are both on 1 holder about 1" apart. On my "basement mess" They are next to each other about 2" apart, but on both the "off sensor" sitts about 1" higher then the on.

Two sensors? There is only one infra red sensor. Once water touches the tip it turns off in exactly 15 seconds. But not every time, thats the problem. about 1" to 1.5"inches higher on the same circlular magnet that they provide with glued in place holders for each is the float switch.

[jimsflies]

I think the leave it hanging in your tank for a few days is a good suggestion. Let it get a little crud on it/dissolve the film and it should be good to go.

The other of the two sensors is the high water float switch.

[ReeferRob]

I think the leave it hanging in your tank for a few days is a good suggestion. Let it get a little crud on it/dissolve the film and it should be good to go.

The other of the two sensors is the high water float switch.

Haven't removed the sensor's yet.

[iyachtuxivm]

Yea the float is what I was wondering about.
Seriously put the infra red sensor under water for a couple days it will get a little dirty and will work great. Thats what I did for both of mine and no issues. I purchased them 6 months apart. It does sound like they changed the mounting design. I dont have magnets, but that shouldn't make a differance. Don't try to run it just let it get dirty. Trust me it will work.

[Rabidgoose]

It might be micro bubbles too, which should also go away after a couple of days of aging. I wouldn't hesitate to call Tunze however if it isin't working right in the next day or so.

[Manoj's Reef]

Rob, I just bought mine couple of weeks ago

I have not installed it yet. I dont think I will get to it this week but will let you guys know how it does perform.

[jimsflies]

I have not installed it yet. I dont think I will get to it this week but will let you guys know how it does perform.

You might throw the sensor in your sump now and possibly avoid some of the initial headaches Rob is dealing with.

[Manoj's Reef]

You might throw the sensor in your sump now and possibly avoid some of the initial headaches Rob is dealing with.

That sounds like a good idea.

[iyachtuxivm]

You might throw the sensor in your sump now and possibly avoid some of the initial headaches Rob is dealing with.

+100,000,000,000,000 &1 !:big_grin:

[ReeferRob]

Well I finally turned it back on today after leaving it unplugged but with the sensors still in the sump. Worked perfectly, filled tell it touched the eye, pump ran for 15 seconds then turned off.
But then a little while ago I checked it and the low level light was on but the pump wasn't on?? Gave every thing a little wiggle test and the pump fired up and filled right to the spot where it should!

[iyachtuxivm]

Yeah! Another one for the good guys!:wave:

[Manoj's Reef]

Okay now , I submerged mine for three days and installed the whole thing today and lt gave the same problem as rob. I will leave it for couple of days more...I think I might have cleaned it as I installed, may be thats why it caused the problem.

[ReeferRob]

I cleaned my very well, then left it for a few now it works great.

[Manoj's Reef]

I cleaned my very well, then left it for a few now it works great.

Rob,

can you elaborate the steps because I will be travelling in 10 days and Iwant to get this thing working in the next couple of days.

How did you clean?
After cleaning how long did you leave it out side?
How long did you leave it inside?

I know things might vary between your tank and my tank but I just need a frame of reference.

[ReeferRob]

Rob,

can you elaborate the steps because I will be travelling in 10 days and Iwant to get this thing working in the next couple of days.

How did you clean? HOT water, and vinager
After cleaning how long did you leave it out side?Just rinsed really well and put it in the tank.
How long did you leave it inside? I put the sensor in the holder and just left it in the sump for I think three days. Then on the fourth day, a day off from work, I just monitored it all day long making sure everything was working as it should and I was comfortable to leave it unattended.

I know things might vary between your tank and my tank but I just need a frame of reference.
Good luck hope this helps!

[Manoj's Reef]

Loosing some patience bcuz this thing did not work today inspite of cleaning well. So I will leave it one more day and then try it again.

[jimsflies]

Did you try putting the probe in a bucket to see if it would shut off at all? It does take a few seconds (15) after touching the probe for the pump to shut down.

[Manoj's Reef]

Jim, what I am finding is that it works once and then the next time it dosent. I will try couple of things today and provide an update late evening.

[jimsflies]

Meaning it doesn't shut off at all some times? Even after you wait at least 15 seconds. I would do a some bucket testing with the probe....to cycle it through several times to see just what it is doing.

[ReeferRob]

Meaning it doesn't shut off at all some times? Even after you wait at least 15 seconds. I would do a some bucket testing with the probe....to cycle it through several times to see just what it is doing.

That is exactly what mine was doing when I got it. I washed it, rubbed it and put it through some paces with a glass of water where I could see the leve and count for consistancy. Talk dirty to it a little to, that seems to always help with electronic.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

May not be the issue at all but I've had air get trapped in the impeller section of the pump after emptying and cleaning the reservoir. This could also be an issue with initial setup. To get the pump going I just stick my hand into the reservoir and tap my finger on the pump intake a few times while the pump is running and it takes care of the problem.

HTH,
Tom

[Manoj's Reef]

Looks like the dirty talking worked.

I checked tonight, and it worked, I did three tests so far. I have unhooked it now and will hook it back again tomorrow morning and monitor it for rest of the day.

[Manoj's Reef]

It worked again in the morning. I hope it works consistently for rest of the day...keeping my fingers crossed.

[ReeferRob]

Are you guys giving the "eye" regular vinegar baths or what? Mine just failed and the float switch alarm notified me luckily.

[iyachtuxivm]

no I have a power head pointed at it and I wipe it off every other week with my fingers. But thats it. If I dont it fails but not in the staying on mode it fails in the not toping off mode.

[Manoj's Reef]

2 Months running, I have had no issues. I guess I should clean it regularly like Jamie does.

BTW can you guys tell me if your metering pump makes loud noise as its pumping water. I always thought it should be quiet like a power head , but mine makes loud noise and I can hear it from my next room.

[iyachtuxivm]

If its real quiet in the house I might hear it in the other room but not to loud.

[ReeferRob]

I would tend to agree. The pump is quite loud and even worse when it runs dry.