Osmolator pump issue

[Lyfey]

My Tunze osmolator system has been working flawlessly for the last 8 months and just yesterday I am having my first problem. Apparently my osmolator pump is not pumping at full strength. I used it yesterday to do a 10 gallon water change, using the pump to replenish the system water. Only when there was less than one gallon left of the new tank water, the pump only pumps drips, instead of a steady stream.

My system was purchased for me as a christmas gift last year and I use all Tunze pumps. I love you brand and your products. Is there a warranty on the pump? Do I have to buy a new one? I tried cycling the power on and off, but to no avail, the pump is primed properly (swishing it up and down in the water until it forms a steady stream, I just cannot get it to form a steady stream.) Can someone help?

Thank you,

Christopher

 

[rvitko]

This pump is only intended to topoff a tank, running very short cycles, it takes 10 minutes to pump about 3 gallons, running long enough to pump 10 gallons will cause it to overheat, it is the same type of pump that runs your windshield washers and is meant for only short bursts of operation. I think it has burned out and needs to be replaced.

 

[Lyfey]

Is that stated in the users manual? If not, is it covered under warranty? I was not aware of this, I figured that for large water volumes it could possibly do harm, didnt think 10 gal was overload.

 

[rvitko]

The manual states that it is to be used only for its intended purpose as a top off system but does not explicitly rule out water changes though this is not its intended purpose. If you send in the pump and it has not been used for kalk dosing, I will replace it this time, but the pump cannot be used this way in the future.

 

[Lyfey]

Thank you very much, but this pump has been used for kalk dosing. I appreciate it very much and thank you for the information, it wont be used this way again. Where do you reccomend I purchase a replacement from?

Also, if used for topoff only, how long is the expected life of the pump? With / without kalk dosing in ATO water. I plan on getting a kalk reactor soon, but until then I must use the standard pump.

 

[rvitko]

These pumps are not very expensive, they are around $20, Marine Depot and Premium Aquatics should have them in stock. Used with only RO water the pump should last 2-3 years. With kalk it depends on the nature of the mix, if it is sitting in the slurry at the bottom the life maybe as short as 6 months. If it is suspended so it never takes in powder it may be as long as 18-24 months.

You might double check that hose isn't just plugged with kalk build up. If you have some sort of squirt bottle you could try forcing vinegar/water mix through the hose.