osmolator info

[jph]

i'm about to purchase the tunze osmolator, which will be used to top-off my 24G aquapod. i need to replenish around 1 gallon of water during the daytime, when the metal halide is on, and my diy chilling fans are blowing.

i'm currently dripping kalkwasser, and i'm wondering how much the osmolator will top off at once, when it kicks in. i don't want to dump a whole lot of kalkwasser mix in the "small" tank at once

i have modified the rear filter section with an extra baffle so that the water level only changes in the section that houses the return pump.

anything that i should worry about?

can the osmolator be used to top-off kalkwasser?


J.

 

[shawnz28]

If you have a small chamber like that it really will dose tiny amount at a time. Unlike most topoffs that use a float or a air pressure chamber the electronic eye is quite sensitive and only lets the water level move very small amounts before triggering the pump. Water level might fluctuate about 1/8" or less although I have never measured so a bit of a guess.

 

[rvitko]

The pump warranty is void if it is used in kalkwasser. It is not a very expensive part though. They run about $22 and when used with kalk generally last 6-12 months. I would start without using kalk, when brand new the optic sensors have a waxy film that can cause air bubbles to stick and lead to errors. This is a normal part of the molding process. After the film wears off in a few days and you are confident in the installation and that everything is working normally you can add the kalk.

 

[MJAnderson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12709847#post12709847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
The pump warranty is void if it is used in kalkwasser. It is not a very expensive part though. They run about $22 and when used with kalk generally last 6-12 months. I would start without using kalk, when brand new the optic sensors have a waxy film that can cause air bubbles to stick and lead to errors. This is a normal part of the molding process. After the film wears off in a few days and you are confident in the installation and that everything is working normally you can add the kalk.

Hmmm...I was just looking on here to see if anyone else was having problems with bubbling on their sensor and saw this. I use my Osmo to dose top off and lately the sensor hasn't been working. I need to splash some water on it to get the sensor to work again due to bubbles surrounding it. But mine has been in use for 6 months. Does being close to the kalk dispensor cause problems? my sump has 3 sections and my return has the sensor (obviously) and the ouput. I thought that putitng it there would get it into the tank faster/dillute it.

 

[rvitko]

Kalk will form a film on the sensor, a soak in vinegar will remove this. If bubbles are present they will stick to the sensor, do what you can to eliminate bubbles near the sensor. A few isn't an issue but if there are many, even after the sensor has broken in they will still stick.