Osmoregulator

[Kutter]

Actually just figured it out. The sponge holds the pump in place.

Off to the next step.

 

[rvitko]

Actually the nozzle firmly pressed through the hole keeps the sponge in place, the sponge just sits their and keeps debris out of the pump.

 

[Kutter]

Thanks for the tips. I managed to get everything hooked up this evening and it seems to be working well. It is not too difficult to figure out. The manual could be a lot better if it contained better pictures.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens to my 2-part additive requirements over the next little while.

 

[Kutter]

Now that I've had it setup and running, I've run into a problem. The pump in the box is sucking air and pumping it back into the tank causing lots of microbubbles. The problem seems to be that the system is keeping the water level slightly too low. I am not sure how to correct this...

 

[rvitko]

Either the sponge is clogged or the pump needs to be turned down a bit.

 

[fmuakkassa]

Running to the sump is not possible if the sump is on or below the level of the reservoir, the manual provides for running to the tank only. Three meters of hose were included with the unit and this is the limit of the pump. Outside of elevating the sump the only possibility is to pump to the tank.

I just ordered the Osmolator Universal from Premium Aquatics today and intend to use it in the sump. I'm glad I read this post.

How much below the sump should the reservoir be to avoid the siphoning effect? I am fortunate that the sump is few inches above ground and I plan to put the reservoir on the ground. I hate to keep adding gadgets to the display tank.

 

[rvitko]

Only the top off hose which is not much bigger than an airline has to go to the tank, basically the reservoir maximum water level would have to be below the minimum sump water level.

 

[fmuakkassa]

This is disappointing. Then I can't use the osmolator Universal as the reservoir will be next to the sump but it's bottom is 4 inches lower. The water level in the reservoir will be above the sump water level when the reservoir is full and below when its empty. The only way I can get the system to work is if the reservoir is in the basement underneath the sump, right? The latter is a good long term solution.

 

[rvitko]

Why is it such a problem to run a hose only slightly bigger than airline into the overflow box? The basic problem is the pump will prime a siphon and could empty the reservoir. As for the basement, the included pump can only pump up 10ft, it might work but really, it is a very small line and if you just wedge it between the teeth in an overflow box no clamps are necessary and it is no more to look at than a small cord.

 

[rvitko]

Here is a sample install, notice all hardware excepting a small hose is out of sight. The hose cannot touch the water surface or it could back siphon and it must pump up or the reservoir will siphon. All the major components are in the stand or the sump itself.

 

[fmuakkassa]

Thanks for the quick reply.Maybe I am not understanding things right. Here is my vision for the osmolator and tell me if my setup works.

I have an 180 g tank (all glass) with two corner overflows. Looking at the tank from the BACK, water drain from the overflows to a custom Miracle Mud refugium on the right then through a PVC (inverted U) drain into a sump on the left (where the Ca reactor is) and then the water is pumped back to the aquarium. The refugium and the sump are 4 inches above the floor level. My vision is to place a 32 g Rubbermaid reservoir on the floor next to the sump and fill it with RO water. I'll put the pump in the bottom of the reservoir. I'll put the optical sensor in the sump where I want the minimum water level to be. The safety sensor will also be placed in the sump where I want the maximum water level to be. The tubing from the pump in the reservior can go to the overflow (I have no problem with that).

 

[rvitko]

The sensors go in the sump, the float is an emergency system only, it really doesn't normally serve any purpose. It shuts the system down and sounds an alarm. The top off hose should go the aquarium though. If you have built in overflow boxes, i just pull about 1" of hose though a slot in the overflow box. Make sure the hose doesn't touch the water surface and that is all their is to it. You just have to avoid siphon.