Tunze Osmolator help needed!

[Mrs Fish]

So .. I battled my way through the instructions, assembled the mounts and installed the two sensors. Plugged everything in and it worked perfectly, filling to the level ... and then light went to green and the pump turned off.

Yay!!!

But then ... sometime about an hour later - and sometime after I had topped up the 5g reservoir bucket to almost full ... it decided to start pumping again. Fortunately I noticed before it reached the top sensor level (but I guess I should have left it to check the top sensor was working!!)

My question:

Since the water level was over the fill sensor .. why did it start pumping more water?

Was it because the level in the reservoir bucket was higher than the water level in the sump into which I am adding water? Does this force the pump to switch on??

There's something in the manual about this, but the german to english translation is not always clear ... so I am a little worried about what I've done wrong.

Earlier I had the water hosing submerged into the sump and I noticed that water went back to the reservoir when the pump stopped ... then I realized the water tube needed to be out of the water completely for this reason.

Can someone help with why it filled again!!

Mrs Fish (Sue)

 

[delta]

you may need to invert the second sensor it works both way by flipping it.

It should be in the instructions

The other thing maybe that the sensor has need to be cleaned.

lastly is the water level in the reservior lower than the output of the topoff water

 

[Andy O]

if you can't figure it out post your question in the Tunze forum on RC or send a PM to Roger Vitko of Tunze. Roger is pretty good on answering posts.

 

[Mrs Fish]

It's a brand new unit .. so I don't think it needs cleaning.

The only thing I can think of is that the water level in the reservoir was HIGHER than the level it was going to (the sump).

I am tempted to fill the bucket up again to test it .. but right now it's lower in the reservoir and has not switched on.

 

[delta]

also a Picture may help. Which sensor do you have lower? The pointed one or the round white one?

 

[Mrs Fish]

The pointed one is lower - pointed end down. It's exactly at the water level now .. which I believe is correct.

 

[delta]

It's a brand new unit .. so I don't think it needs cleaning.

The only thing I can think of is that the water level in the reservoir was HIGHER than the level it was going to (the sump).

I am tempted to fill the bucket up again to test it .. but right now it's lower in the reservoir and has not switched on.

Is the pump going on? Or is it siphoning? The reservoir needs to be lower than the output of the tube that fills the sump.

 

[Mrs Fish]

I think that was the problem .. the output was lower than the reservoir ... it must be enough to push water through the pump and start it going again.

Yes, the pump was actually on .. not siphoning.

What confuses me is that the water tube goes out of the reservoir bucket, down along the floor and back up 15 inches to the sump ... I am surprised that the reservoir being filled 4 inches above the water level is sufficient in these circumstances to force the pump to start again.

I guess I'll have to get a container with a much larger footprint so I can load it up with 10 gallons when I go away ... and still not have the level go over the sump level.

 

[delta]

That is more than enough to start a siphon but the pump coming back on is confusing?

 

[delta]

Is the sump under your tank? If so just run the output of the top off into your tank. Possibly in an over flow or something like that so it is out of the water and will not create a back siphon

 

[Mrs Fish]

funny .. I was just about to post this suggestion (putting output pipe into tank above)! Yes, sump is under tank at floor level ... same level as reservoir bucket.

I am concerned that the pump decided to go on .. think I'll test it again by filling up the bucket. Just worried to go out and leave it on tonight.

 

[delta]

I would turn it off if you go out until you have time to hang around and test it. Definately not worth the risk plus it won't hurt anything to leave it off until you get home. Well unless your going on vacation or something.

 

[Mrs Fish]

No .. not vacation - just out for dinner! I am bothered by the fact that the pump turned on. Am making some water to dump in and see if it does it again if the bucket is full. Will turn off this evening, I think.

Thanks Delta ..

 

[delta]

NP
Let us know how you make out

 

[Mrs Fish]

will do .......

 

[Mrs Fish]

Update .. not working

Well, it's definately not working. I switched the reservoir bucket out for one slightly fuller .. but below the water line in the sump and of the outlet pipe.

From that point onward, the pump repeatedly went to, then off .. several times until it got to about an inch above where the water level should have been - at that point, I unplugged it.

How do I email the guy at Tunze .. ??

 

[delta]

I would wipe off the sensor even if it is new there may be some residue on the sensor. worth a try while you wait for a response

try posting on his forum on RC

To email him just click on the email button at the top of his posts
rvitko is his screen name

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=92

 

[delta]

Also did you try playing with the second float valve to see if it was the problem?

Try lifting the second float valve (round white one) and see if that turns the pump on or off properly.

 

[Mrs Fish]

Gonna try these things tomorrow .. have to get ready to go out now. Have posted to the Tunze forum on RC .. Thanks again, Delta!!

 

[Mrs Fish]

Just providing an update to anyone interested ... problem is solved! Thanks to the Tunze rep for the USA (via the reef central Tunze board). Apparently the plastic sensor attracts bubbles of air when first submerged ... similar to filling a new plastic fish tank with water for the first time - bubbles adhere to the sides for a couple of days.

The sensor is so sensitive, that these bubbles make it think it is in the air.

I was advised to either remove and submerse the plastic sensor in hot soapy water .. or repeatedly rub the bubbles off for 24 hours. I rubbed off the bubbles twice .. and it has worked perfectly ever since.

Sue (Mrs Fish)