Osmolator having issues... osmolating

[beatle]

I have a 3155 Osmolator and in the past month it has been having issues coming on. The water level will drop but not trigger the controller to turn the pump on. I check my sump and ATO reservoir daily, and if I notice the level on the sump is low, I look at the controller. It still indicates "level." If I take my finger and brush a bit of water across the eye a couple times, it will trigger the pump to come on and fill the sump. Any ideas of what to try here?

 

[shawnz28]

Have you tried cleaning the eye? If it is dirty it might be having a hard time detecting the water. The water might be making the film a bit "easier" for the eye to see thru till dry.

 

[beatle]

I suppose I could do that, though it was last cleaned just 4 months ago. Is that typical? Heck, I don't think I cleaned my ATO.com switch in the year and a half that it was in service.

 

[shawnz28]

I have not heard of it being the norm by any stretch but I am sure water parameters and its surroundings could cause variations in what accumulates on it. If simply splashing water on it appears to let it "see" again it is the first thing that comes to mind.

 

[beatle]

I had the issue on my 40g breeder where the only thing nearby was a 6055. In the sump of my 120 it's about a foot away from my electronic halide ballast and my return pump, but not close to much else.

 

[rvitko]

I would try soaking the sensor in vinegar for 3-4 hours, if you dose kalk or have a caclium reactors output or add a two part near the sensor, it is not uncommon for a film to develop in 3-6 months, without these factors it is more typically 12+ months.

 

[beatle]

I'm not dosing kalk or other nutrients yet, though I plan to. I'll clean the sensor and see what happens.