3155.000 Osmolator Universal question

[Reefanatic67]

Hi. I'm thinking of purchasing one of these units because they come highly recommended. What is the max distance I can place the top off water container and pump from the sump? I've heard that it comes with a 9ft hose, but I will need to place it approximately 15 ft away. Can this hose be substituted with a longer one to accommodate my needs and can the return pump handle this distance? It will be placed horizontally and not vertically if this makes a difference.

Manny.......

 

[rvitko]

Of course horizontal distance will have some effect but if the overall head pressure is not too great it should work just fine. Consider that the maximum head of the pump is 3m- basically 10ft. If you had a 4-5ft vertical run and 10 -15ft of horizontal run it should be fine. You would want to get more hose which comes prepacked in 3m and 10m lengths. The 10m pack is about $10 and is part 5000.38. I am out of stock on Osmolators right now but believe some will arrive this week. Now, I wil say that you will need to make sure that the reservoir doesn't run completely dry or that you purge the air from the pump (tip it upside down when submerged) after every fill as this long hose will make it difficult for the pump to purge itself. I would also worry that the added resistance of a calcium dispenser might be too much.

 

[Reefanatic67]

Cool. Thanks for the info and quik response Roger. I will keep all that in mind.

As far as the calcium dispenser, I'm currently using a two-part system, but plan to add a CA Reactor eventually, so this should not be a problem either.

Thanks again Roger.

Manny.........

 

[keigle]

Hi Roger, I also have a few questions about the Osmolator. I would like to use this on a 180 for top off. I plan on putting the pump in 20-30 gallon tub. Like Manny I would have to locate the pump about 9 feet away, but on the same level as the sump. Would it damage the pump to mix a light Kalk solution in the top off water? Dose the Osmolator actually pump slowly enough to use a full strength Kalk solution? Is it possible to use the pump to provide top off through a Neilson reactor? And finally, is it possible to use a different pump?

Jeff

 

[rvitko]

First, whatever you are pumping too has to have a higher water level than the reservoir or the pump will simply prime a siphon and drain the reservoir- in general the pump should go from reservoir to tank. You can use another pump but this will require and accessory switched socket as the delivered pump is 9V DC. It can be used with a Nilsen reactor but keep in mind that it is for top off only and has a tertiary safety of only allowing the pump to run for 10 minutes in case the tank is leaking or the reservoir is empty. Kalk will damage the delivered pump - the average 2-3yr life will be shortened to about 1yr with a solution and as little as a few months if the pump is sitting in a slurry. The pump is less than $17 so many people do not really worry about this issue. Please keep in mind that for a 180 system I think it would be foolish to rely on kalk as anything more than a CO2 absorbing sponge that may help control phosphates- use it as an adjunct to a Calcium reactor.

 

[keigle]

Yea phosphate controll and to ph ballance my reactor is what I was hoping to use the kalk for. It sounds like a dosing pump will probably be better solution for my sitiuation. Or just forgoing the kalk. Thanks for the quick reply.
Jeff

 

[rvitko]

No problem, I actually don't leave until Monday for Germany and while I expected to be trying to wrap it up all weekend- you know how RC is- very addictive. I have been very pleased with the Litermeter for the type of application you are describing. It is reliable and has redundant safety as well as good support.

 

[keigle]

Thanks again. I will defiantly look it to that one. I might just get a dosing pump and set it low, then use an auto top off so I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have to worry about the water level with changes in evaporation rates.
Jeff