osmolator still fills after pump turns off

[Ixthys]

My pure water tank is higher than my sump. When the osmolator turns off, the water keeps flowing due to gravity (a syphon effect). Any ideas how to make it stop?

Do you have the same problem when the pump is lower than the sump with a "reverse" syphon effect (after it shuts off)? If not, how come I have the problem when it is higher than the sump?

Thanks for the help!

 

[rvitko]

Yes, you always run the hose to the tank for exactly this reason and never to the sump. You set it up so the hose is not touching the tank water surface to prevent a back siphon.

 

[Ixthys]

The make-up water is about 10 feet above both the tank/sump, but I'm not sure why running it to the tank would be any better than the sump.

Basically, the Tunze pump doesn't create a seal with the outlet when it is not spinning, allowing the water to continue to flow as a siphon when the pump shuts off, right? Is there a different pump that would work like this (and with the osmolator)?

Makes sense about how to get rid of the back-siphon if the make-up water is below the tank/sump.

 

[rvitko]

The reservoir needs to be placed below the tank, I don't of any such thing as a fool proof check valve or a pump that could shut off the flow (besides a peristaltic pump which would likely be too slow to work).

 

[Darkreefer]

If you really need to use a check valve for it you can get them from USPlastic.com. Item number 68261 for the JG fitting or item number 22171 thru 4. They come in different sizes. I am not sure about the metric to standard size fittings.

HTH

 

[Ixthys]

Thanks for the info!

 

[rvitko]

Just remember all check valves can and will fail.

 

[Ixthys]

I ended up putting a hole in the tubing before the tubing exits the make-up water tank. That way when the pump turns off, air is drawn in and breaks the siphon. When the pump is on, it sends a small amount of water back into the make-up tank.

 

[saberry]

How large of a hole is required?

 

[rvitko]

I really do not condone this. Check valves fail and bleed holes plug up over time. The system was designed to be used with small reservoirs positioned under the tank with all make up water being pumped up to the tank. By modifying it you defeat the safety features we included in the design. Any damage that results from these modifications will be completely your responsibility and outside the scope of warranty coverage. I'm not trying to be difficult but before a dozen people jump on this and think they found a way to cheat the system I just want it known that you are taking your chances.

 

[Ixthys]

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!

You've got to be kidding! Because I've honestly shared some valuable information with RC, you're going to void my warranty!? What's to condone? I didn't modify your product, the pump or control panel, at all. Nothing of your product has been modified. All I did was put a small hole in my exiting tubing that is only exposed to RO/DI water. What would it plug up with, the hydrogen or the oxygen molecules??

Why would you make a threat like this, anyway? Did you blacklist my screen name? Other than ticking me off (and possibly anyone reading this), what did you gain? Certainly not a loyal customer now.

 

[Aquadepot]

I thought Roger was just pointing out the risk. From personal experience being around aquariums for many years, its never wise to take such risks. The Osmolator has been designed to eliminate failure as much as possible. So any modifications will reduce the reliability of the device.
I think your over reacting!

 

[rvitko]

Hmm, chill out, I never mentioned voiding your warranty, just simply saying that if you have a flood I dont want to hear about it. Your warranty is not the issue, just want people to understand that this is not the way the product was intended to be used and any consequences of using it this way will be completely on the users hands.

 

[rvitko]

BTW, as for what would plug it up- dust, algae growth, small pieces of debris. If their was a fool proof way to do this we would have included it.