Correct model Osmolator

[Dag]

Can you recommend the correct model osmolator for my application?

I have a remote sump in the basement. My R/O DI unit feeds into a 80 gallon reservoir which sits on the shelf above the sump.

The 80 gallon reservoir could gravity feed the sump or I could tee off from the output of the R/O DI unit.

Alternatively, I was thinking of making a second reservoir and then periodically pump water from the 80 gallon reservoir into that second reservoir which would then be used to feed the sump. The logic of the second reservoir, as I understand, is to protect against the sump being flooded with fresh water in the event of pump failure. It would also protect the solenoid on the R/O DI unit from being turned on and off continuously. Any thoughts on this? Would the osmolator make this second reservoir unnecessary?

 

[rvitko]

The pump would prime a siphon when it turns on and cause flooding. The best solution would be an Osmolator 3155 mounted in sump with an optional Switched socket 3155.11 connected to a large pump on the reservoir, the pump will have to pump up to the tank, otherwise you will have problems. The instructions always provide for the pump to fill the tank, not the sump,, gravity is an enemy in this case and can cause flooding, further the water line must not contact the water surface in the aquarium or a siphon scould occur from tank back to reservoir. I would choose an Iwaki pump capable of delivering against this head pressure, the included pump has a maximum capability of 10'. You will not want an overly powerful pump, just one that does the job and it has to use less than 300w, due to the inductive load nature of pumps I would choose a model using 250w or less.

 

[Dag]

can you elaborate

can you elaborate

can you elaborate? I don't think I understand.

If "gravity is an enemy," then couldn't I just locate the reservoir underneath the sump and pump from that reservoir to the sump.

I already have an Iwaki 100 RLT returning water from the sump to the display tank. Why would I want to duplicate that and return water directly from the reservoir to the display tank?

 

[rvitko]

As long as the reservoir is below the sump that works fine but this is a rare scenario. Basically if the pump turns on and your reservoir is above what it is pumping to, the pump will prime a siphon and the whole thing will drain. The delivered pump is only capable of pumping up 10ft so if you need more to get up to the tank or reservoir you will need a bigger pump. Basically if you need to pump up more than 10ft you need the switched outlet and a bigger pump, no matter what you do your reservoir has to be the lowest point in the system.

 

[Dag]

The reservoir will be directly underneath the sump, sitting on a shelf which is 24" under the sump. What would be the optimal size for that reservoir? If the total system is 300 gallons, evaporation should not be more than 5-10 gallons/day. Would there be any reason to have a reservoir more than 20 gallons (assuming it's only used for topoff and not premix of saltwater)?

Is the model you first recommended still the appropriate one? How would it be mounted?

 

[rvitko]

3155 is the correct model. It will mount to the sump with a set of fiberglass rails. These rails clamp to the top edge of the sump with a clamp system that is reminiscent of carpenters clamps using two screws. The rail is delivered with a capability to extnd 12" below the trim of the sump, if your water level isnormally farther from the edge of the sump you will need an extension rail for every 6".

 

[Dag]

What about the optimal size of the reservoir?

Does the pump automatically pump water to the sump? How often?

 

[rvitko]

The reservoir can be any size. The pump is triggered on by the water level dropping away from the infared sensor. A secondary float switch is present for extra safety, if tripped this cuts the system off and sounds an alarm. If after ten minutes the optical sensor is still not touching water, the circuitry shuts down and sounds an alarm.

 

[Dag]

But how sensitive is the trigger than turns on the pump? If the sump is 48"L x 24"W, how much does the water have to drop before the pump turns on?

 

[rvitko]

It is triggered by a drop of about 1mm. If you like I can send you a PDF of the manual by email. You would need to have a high speed connection to the internet and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

 

[Dag]

Please

Please

a manual would be great. My email is albenjamin@attbi.com.

 

[Dag]

Also can you tell me where I can order one of these from?

 

[rvitko]

If you reread the email that accompanied the manual, I listed the most likely people to have stock on hand based on where the last units went to. You can order from Champion Lighting, Marine Depot or Premium Aquatics. I am however out of stock so if you cannot find a dealer with stock on hand you will have to wait a few weeks.