osmolator problem

[rick12]

i have a new tunze osmlator. the water continues to rise above the sensor and sets off the alarm.
this is a new unit. is there something wrong with the sensor maybe?

 

[rick12]

i have cleaned the sensor as per instructions. when i set it up and test the unit it works great, but every 10 min or so the pump turns on and it fills, this goes on until it overfills and the float sets off the alarm. all the lights on the controller are as they should be. yellow when filling, green when level. and red showing too full.
so the issue is the pump going on when irregularly.

 

[rvitko]

Are you sure you don't have a siphon? This would be the case if it continues to fill after the pump turns off and is very likely if you are pumping to the sump. A siphon can only be prevented if the water level (top) in the reservoir is below the end of the hose where it is clamped to the sump. This is avoided completely by pumping to the tank as shown in the manual. Sensors in the sump, top off hose clamped to the overflow.

 

[rick12]

there is no sump. the pump feed is from top off, which is below the aquarium, to the tank and the tubing is well above the water. what is happening is the pump is turning on and filling the tank.

 

[rvitko]

Is it possible the sensor is very near a reflective surface like a polished plastic plate (baffle) or that there are a lot of bubbles present? The sensor is bouncing infrared light from the surface and a highly reflective surface like a polished plastic plate or white gravel or filter foam directly besides or under the sensor can be an issue and it cannot differentiate accumulated bubbles from being dry (in air).

 

[rick12]

there are no bubbles that i can see. looked for that. but it is a small compartment and yes it could be reflective. any suggestions to isolate the probe? come accross this before?

 

[rick12]

received a new controller

 

[rvitko]

Could you clarify? Did you get the problem controller replaced or are you stating that the controller that was the original problem was purchased new?

 

[rick12]

i purchased a new osmolator, and have had the new controller replaced (swapped out) by the lfs.

 

[rvitko]

Is everything working correctly now?

 

[rick12]

Is everything working correctly now?

yes, but i have also shortened the distance the pump has to flow and i put a TLF micro valve on the end. the pump works more often but all is well, been running for about 15hrs