Osmoregulator
- Thread starter joedelt
- Start date
The Osmoregulator is the best top off system I have found. It comes complete you need only provide a reservoir. It mounts in sump, chose the Osmomat for in tank. The optical sensor monitors the water level continuously and tops off as soon as the water is no longer in contact with sensor tip. It has redundant safety systems. If the optic system fails a seperate mechanical float will shut off the pump and sounds an alarm. Should this fail the system cuts off automatically after a 10min run time and sounds an alarm. It has a 4 LED display which indicates the water level and system status. The system is 12V so no high voltage contacts the water. The top off pump is included and is capable of pumping up 9 feet, it is a small 12v pump. The pump is really the only vulnerable part as it is destroyed by lime deposits and unsuitable for use with kalkwasser unless used with a special kalkwasser reactor called the Calcium Dispenser. At any rate the pumps are cheap to replace at $18. The entire system carries a 1yr warranty.
Actually their are three, one is designed for the Tunze system kits, then their is the universal model which is for Comline kits and sump mount. The osmomat includes a pump to magnify water level change as the water is pulled through the surface skimmer box, it is the best choice for in tank without a sump or Tunze system or Comline kit.
Jefe12234
New member
I'm thinking of ordering one of these. I need one that can be mounted in a tank without a sump. You said the Osmomat was the one to get for this purpose, but I didn't see it on your website (unless you call it something else). Is the Comline the one I want?
Also, do you know about how much space it takes up in the tank? Basically, the dimensions of the skimmer box?
Thanks.
-Chris
Also, do you know about how much space it takes up in the tank? Basically, the dimensions of the skimmer box?
Thanks.
-Chris
I have one Osmomat remaining in stock at this time. With the holidays past us we will restock soon. The skimmer box is about 2" deep and 4" long, approximately 5" tall. It includes a small powerhead to circulate the water through it. The unit sells for $179, including everything except a reservoir. You can use a 5gal bucket or purchase a Tunze reservoir of 27L capacity for $18. The Tunze reservoir is necessary if you intend to use the optional kalkwasser reactor which costs $80, it is too tall to fit in a 5gal bucket, perhaps a large salt bucket would work though. It is not featured on my website as it is fairly new, the Osmomat disappeared for about a year while the new unit was being developed, until Tunze updates their site I have no source for photos or info. I have been told though that the site is to be updated very soon. If you like email me off line wiith an address and I will mail you some material on the product.
It will work but I do not recommend it, you will have to run your tank low, about 3" below the trim. If you can live with this than it will work, to keep a full water level you will need either a Comline Filter Kit to install the Osmolator in or the Osmomat 5024. This will enable you to keep the water level even with the trim as most Americans prefer. In Europe aquariums are trimlessand usually have a melamine wrap about 2" wide that covers the top portion of the aquarium, in this situation an intank installation is far more feasible.
Yes, it will work just fine. Tell me a little more about your set up. You may need an accessory kit to mount the Osmomat, if your tank has perimeter bracing it will not work. Also tell me some info on size, maker, stocking. What is your goal, much beyond 45gallons and the Clacium Dispenser is not a complete solution but it can help and will reduce the need for other additives.
Kutter
Premium Member
I currently have a 90 gallon tank - 48" long. I have a Remora Pro hangon skimmer as well as a CPR Aquafuge refuguim (18" model). I would still have enough room at the back of the tank for the Osmomat.
The tank itself is glass with a plastic trim and centre brace. I have a full wooden canopy the sits on the front and side of the tank.
I don't have a sump, primarily b/c of a space issue. Unfortunately my stand in poorly designed (didn't know any better when I bought it...) and I can't keep a sump in it. My tank is in the living room of our apartment and I really can't keep a sump beside the tank.
I have about 100lbs of live rock and a DSB. The tank is about 7 months old. I have 1 yellow tang, 2 clowns, a royal gramma, and a Flame Angel. I am planning on having mainly SPS coral. Currently I have two Acro's, one Stylophora, and Seriatopora. I also have one Tridacna crocea.
Currently I maintain my calcium/alk with C-balance. I need 90mL of each component daily just to maintain. I added about 50lbs of additional liferock about a month ago and there is some coralline algae forming on it and this combined with my SPS and clam are sucking up a lot of the calcium.
In terms of lighting, I have two 250W MH and two 110W VHO SuperActinics. I run two IceCap fans, one on either end of my canopy. There is no glass between my bulbs and the water and therefore I get a fair bit of evaporation.
I currently am using a simple float switch to activate a Mag pump that sits in a 20 gallon container that contains my topoff water. I want to replace this setup with the Tunze topoff system because it looks to be much more realiable.
I envision that the 5024 Calcium Dispensor will help reduce the amount of C-balance that I need to dose daily. I realize that I will still need to dose some, but certainly it should be less. Plus the 5024 will provide the added benefit that dosing kalk brings, namely precipitation of phosphate. Finally I am currently dosing the C-balance twice daily (60mL of each in the morning and 30ml of each in the evening) because I feel dosing 90mL of each all at once may be too much. If I can cut down on my C-balance requirements, then I could probably dose it all at once.
I have ordered the equipment through J&L Aquatics in Canada. If you think there are some other parts I may need to make this system work well please let me know so that I can forward the information to them.
Thanks!
The tank itself is glass with a plastic trim and centre brace. I have a full wooden canopy the sits on the front and side of the tank.
I don't have a sump, primarily b/c of a space issue. Unfortunately my stand in poorly designed (didn't know any better when I bought it...) and I can't keep a sump in it. My tank is in the living room of our apartment and I really can't keep a sump beside the tank.
I have about 100lbs of live rock and a DSB. The tank is about 7 months old. I have 1 yellow tang, 2 clowns, a royal gramma, and a Flame Angel. I am planning on having mainly SPS coral. Currently I have two Acro's, one Stylophora, and Seriatopora. I also have one Tridacna crocea.
Currently I maintain my calcium/alk with C-balance. I need 90mL of each component daily just to maintain. I added about 50lbs of additional liferock about a month ago and there is some coralline algae forming on it and this combined with my SPS and clam are sucking up a lot of the calcium.
In terms of lighting, I have two 250W MH and two 110W VHO SuperActinics. I run two IceCap fans, one on either end of my canopy. There is no glass between my bulbs and the water and therefore I get a fair bit of evaporation.
I currently am using a simple float switch to activate a Mag pump that sits in a 20 gallon container that contains my topoff water. I want to replace this setup with the Tunze topoff system because it looks to be much more realiable.
I envision that the 5024 Calcium Dispensor will help reduce the amount of C-balance that I need to dose daily. I realize that I will still need to dose some, but certainly it should be less. Plus the 5024 will provide the added benefit that dosing kalk brings, namely precipitation of phosphate. Finally I am currently dosing the C-balance twice daily (60mL of each in the morning and 30ml of each in the evening) because I feel dosing 90mL of each all at once may be too much. If I can cut down on my C-balance requirements, then I could probably dose it all at once.
I have ordered the equipment through J&L Aquatics in Canada. If you think there are some other parts I may need to make this system work well please let me know so that I can forward the information to them.
Thanks!
It all sounds good. The Osmomat will mount on the back of the aquarium, due to the plastic trim you will require set 3000.244 Which is a set of longer screws and a suction cup. While J&L buys direct and I am not affiliated with any Canadian dealers I am happy to help you and I am sure you will have some questions when your osmomat arrives, It is a little complicated and 3-D never conveys well on paper. I would expect you can reduce your C-Balance regime, I don't know how much, this will depend on evaporation rates. I would think it reasonable to expect if you lose 7 gallons a week and use 4 teaspoons of Kalkwasser per week you could dose 50-60ml of C balance.
Flatlander
Premium Member
I am going to use the Osmolator as a top-off system on my soon to be sumpless 225g tank. I am using my overflows as mini sumps, so assume the system would work in there. Problem is maintaining a level in the overflows, while my scrubber fills and dumps.
I am ordering the kalk dispenser also. Like your situation Rodger, I am of course just using it to supplement my co2 reactor, get some kalk into the system and help the ph. I assume it would work fine for this purpose.
Thanks
I am ordering the kalk dispenser also. Like your situation Rodger, I am of course just using it to supplement my co2 reactor, get some kalk into the system and help the ph. I assume it would work fine for this purpose.
Thanks
zebrasoma17
New member
Roger:
I've been following this discussion and I have a question regarding in-sump use. What happens when the power goes out or the main pump is turned off (for maintenance or during feed mode on some wavemakers) and extra water drains into the sump? Is the unit protected from the higher water level or can this situation cause damage?
TIA
Al
I've been following this discussion and I have a question regarding in-sump use. What happens when the power goes out or the main pump is turned off (for maintenance or during feed mode on some wavemakers) and extra water drains into the sump? Is the unit protected from the higher water level or can this situation cause damage?
TIA
Al
All the parts that would be in the sump of course are water proofed. I don't realy understand why one would turn off the sump in feed mode. It may sound the overflow alarm and have to be reset if the water level increase high enough to raise the secondary float switch but outside of this no permanent damage would be caused. Of course in the event of a power outage the Osmolator would be off as well. When it came on it might register an overflow and sound the alarm, this would depend on how much the sump would rise in such an event. We recommend keeping the float at least 1" above and preferably no more than 7" above the optical sensor.
zebrasoma17
New member
Thanks Roger.
I'm using a Red Sea Wavemaker on one of my tanks and the main pump is shut off during feed mode to prevent food from washing over the overflows and to the sump. This lasts about 5-10 minutes and then goes back to normal.
Thanks again for the info.
Al
I'm using a Red Sea Wavemaker on one of my tanks and the main pump is shut off during feed mode to prevent food from washing over the overflows and to the sump. This lasts about 5-10 minutes and then goes back to normal.
Thanks again for the info.
Al
Flatlander
Premium Member
Well, my unit is on the way. 
Guess I will have to figure out how to handle the surge. It would be lucky, if its a gallon. Its the normal dump tray, in the larger model turf scrubber.
I run a powerhead at the bottom of the overflow, pipe over into the tank. I can keep the level lower. It will dose when the level drops as the surge fills, and shut off as it dumps. I assume this would still even out, as it does now with my float switch.
I figure to solve the overfill problem, by making sure the overflow level, is low enough, so that max fill, does not trigger, unless the level rises to high because of a problem.
I plan on using the small kalk dispenser, for an easy way to dose some kalk. As the overflow is small, compared with tank and/or sump volume, the top-off should add very small amounts, often, through out the day and night.
Guess I will have to figure out how to handle the surge. It would be lucky, if its a gallon. Its the normal dump tray, in the larger model turf scrubber. I run a powerhead at the bottom of the overflow, pipe over into the tank. I can keep the level lower. It will dose when the level drops as the surge fills, and shut off as it dumps. I assume this would still even out, as it does now with my float switch.
I figure to solve the overfill problem, by making sure the overflow level, is low enough, so that max fill, does not trigger, unless the level rises to high because of a problem.
I plan on using the small kalk dispenser, for an easy way to dose some kalk. As the overflow is small, compared with tank and/or sump volume, the top-off should add very small amounts, often, through out the day and night.
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