calcium dispenser questions

[Markarian421]

I just got an osmolator and calcium dispenser (finally!) to replace my float switch auto topoff. A few questions:



Question 1: The calcium dispenser leaks a lot around the cap. There's no calcium hydroxide in there yet, if there were a lot would have been spilling back into my topoff tank. I fixed it by putting a gasket (actually a suction cup that just fit) inside the cap. Is this leaking normal? And is there any reason not to use some such gasket to prevent it?

Question 2: As per the instructions, I set the emergency shutoff float switch to just above the level the sump goes to when the return pump is off. Since I shut off the return pump twice a day this will prevent the float switch from being submerged on a regular basis. But it will also allow the osmolator to pump 2-3 gallons of water through the calcium dispenser if the optical sensor fails.

I'm condisering taking my current float switch and lowering it, so it will cut power to the osmolator when the water rises very much. But not knowing that (non-TUNZE) switch's failure mode (on or off) I'm a bit uneasy about submersing it twice a day -- I'd be relying on the same unreliable thing I was replacing with the osmolator!.

Suggestions?

 

[rvitko]

1- It should have included a gasket and should not leak. If you can't find it let me know.

2-It should fail off- if you remove it, it is off. My best suggestion is to seriously downsize your return and just leave it on. Otherwise just test the float switch periodically.

 

[Markarian421]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for the quick reply!

1- I checked, no gasket. I just got it from Marine Depot, everything was sealed, and I haven't moved the box more than a foot since I opened it -- it doesn't appear to be there and I'm pretty sure i didn't loose it!

2- I'd never considered reducing the amount of return volume until you mentioned it. It's the contents of the tank's built in overflow, I suppose I could find something I could fit in there that would take up a gallon or so of space. Hmm . . .

 

[Markarian421]

No, I take that back, it must just be what's in the pipes, the overflow doesn't drain when I shut off the return. Hmm again ...

 

[rvitko]

I can send you the gasket- just send me a PM.

What I meant to suggest was, if you had a lower overflow volume you would have no reason to ever stop the return pump so the whole issue would be avoided.

 

[Markarian421]

PM sent, thanks.

I'm not sure I follow you on the overflow, i guess I should specify that I turn off the return pump when I feed the fish. Otherwise half the food goes straight into the sump.

 

[rvitko]

If your return flow was much slower the food wouldn't go over the overflow- at least very little of it would.