Osmolator 3155 questions

[johns]

I'm interested to get this osmolator to dose kalk top-off water,, because it was recommended by a lot of folks, but I'm not too familiar with how the product works. I'd like to get a bit more info.

Like the pump - how small is it. Some of the current containers (similar to a milk jug) I'm using to top off have quite a small opening - some of them have even 1.25 - 1.75 diameter openings. SO when I say small, I mean to drop the pump through that top. Will it work?

And since the pump is submerged, I guess I dont understand how you keep the pump from pumping out the kalk slurry at the bottom of your container? Unless you dissilve the kalk in a separate container, and then pour off the liquid into your dosing container.

I believe this comes with 2 sensor holding devices. So how do you normally reccomend that they are used. Do both go in the sump where the water level is to be maintained, or does one go in the top-off container to ensure that the dosing pump doesn't run dry?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

Kalk does void the pump warranty, it is an $18 pump so many people do that anyway. We offer our own solution which mixes the kalkwasser after the pump and ensures a saturated solution that is not degraded by contact with atmospheric CO2. The pump is almost 2" across. In general if the pump picks up slurry it's life will be about 6 months. It can last about a year maybe 2 if it is suspended above the slurry and a very dilute solution is used. Again, the pump has no warranty if it is used with kalk.

 

[johns]

Hmmm. Thanks for the info. I didn't realize that.

So it'd not really designed to do exactly what I had in mind, but I dont know, maybe it'll work anyway. Originally I had in mind to just auto top-off regular RO/DI water. And have a separate gravity kalk drip for the dosing. But I was starting to think maybe I could dop both with this product.

I'm not too familiar with the other method you're reffering to (nilssen reactor, I believe they call it). And I dont know if I have the kind of space to use big storage buckets, etc. I wanted everything under the tank in the stand. I dont know if what you are referring to would work that way.

Also, any other info about the sensors - how do you normally reccomend that they are used. Do both go in the sump where the water level is to be maintained, or does one go in the top-off container to ensure that the dosing pump doesn't run dry?

 

[rvitko]

Both go in the sump, the computer has a sort of logic program and if a fill isn't registered within 10min an alarm sounds and the system shuts down.

The bucket would not be all that big about 20" across and 27" tall. The dispenser fits inside, it is a very simplified Nilsen reactor without any additional pumps or mixers.

 

[johns]

I dont think a bucket of that size would fit underneath my stand. And unfortunately, I'm not in a situation where I can have extra storage buckets, tubes, etc, lying around next to the tank (call it 'the significant-other-factor')

But I'd like to explore the other option of just using the osmolator to pump out a kalk solution. If I do this, I realize it'll void the pumps warranty. But if I use a separate container to mix the kalk slurry myself, and then pour the clear solution into a Gallon jug of some sort and insert the osmolator pump in there, would it work?

What I mean is - I'm wondering what volumes of kalk solution the osmolators might dispense at a time and how long it'll take to dispense. This may not be as safe as just dripping very slowly with a gravity drip (as I was first planning to do). So I was wondering what your thoughts were.

I might still get an osmolator, if not just for an auto RO top off system to use while I'm on vacation (I think a big bucket sitting out while I'm away for a week would not be subject to 'the significant-other-factor'. And just use the gravity drip for the kalk. But I started thinking maybe I could do both jobs with one system.

 

[rvitko]

The Osmolator is senstive to a change of less than 1mm so at any given time it tops up less than 1cup of water usually so I don't see there being any risk. It will work with the only real drawback being a shortened pump life. Basically the alkaline solution and slurry destroy the seals and the pump shorts- it is a small DC powered Bilge Pump.

 

[johns]

Basically the alkaline solution and slurry destroy the seals and the pump shorts- it is a small DC powered Bilge Pump.

Is there an electrical issue involved with that - OUCH!

 

[johns]

Ohh. Sorry to harp on and on about this. but one other thing-

do you think the pump's life can be extended by cleaning it out regularly (say monthly) with a vinegar solution or something like that?

 

[rvitko]

no worse than touching a 9V battery. It runs on 9-12V DC. Once shorted the pump dies so the water will not enter the tank, buy a new pump and throw the water away as it will have contacted the small copper wound motor inside.

 

[rvitko]

I don't think cleaning will have much effect, avoid contact with the slurry but the main cause of shorter life is the caustic alkaline solution destroys the seal and basically the pump is a 9V motor like the ones you would buy at Radio Shack turning a turbine on the other side of a rubber seal.

 

[johns]

Is there somewhere where I can just download the product instructions and information sheet online?

I'm looking on the Tunze site, but dont see it.

 

[johns]

Is there somewhere where I can just download the product instructions and information sheet online?

I'm looking on the Tunze site, but dont see it.

 

[rvitko]

I can email them to you if you send me an email or PM with the address.