Thoughts on Tunze Osmolator?

[cabenin]

I love mine never have to think about, best purchase for the tank hands down. Only downsides is if it runs dry I have to shake the pump once I refill the resevoir.

 

[Donw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11460296#post11460296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezcompany
i love my osmolator, but honestly speaking i think it is over priced.
if the pump is $22.32 to replace, and assuming the back up float switch costs around $5 and the black plastic mounting brackets around $10 total, that is a $157 optical sensor we are talking about that isn't 100% fail safe. (but better than anything else out in the market)

A typical optical sensor will run you around $80 this assumes you could find one in that price range that will run vertical most will not, combine that with the $20 pump, float all brackets, power adapter and electronic controller. $200 isnt a big price to pay for something pnp. I doubt anyone could save more than $10 duplicating the tunze diy.
Been there done that. Its pretty hard to beat, the tunze.

Don

 

[IPT]

I thought mine was messing up (and not shutting off) but turns out my resevoir was higher than my sump and it siphoned the res into the sump. My fault.

On a second unit I just installed I noticed the flow was quite slow. Turns out there was some deformation in the hose that restricted it. Snipped off an end and it was fine. I can't imagine it not kepping up with any topoff needs as long as the resevoir is big enough.

The pumps is a little noisy, but it's not like it's running all the time so it's no big deal to me. I like them, I have two setup.

 

[tikalize]

I also own a osmolator & i think it is one of the best piece of equipment i have bought for my setup. Yes you can go out & buy a cheaper top off but in my opinion you get what you pay for. alot of heads out there are happy with their ATOs but when they spend on the Osmolator they have nothing but good words about this product.

 

[wayne in norway]

They're better than the Deltec and AM autotopups, and you don't hear of many problems. I like mine. The price is what it is.... the parts are OK, it has markup of course as someone else does the work and the dollar rate hurts you right now. It wold be easier for me towork another hour to buy one than faff around trying to make one.

 

[ReefTeacher]

I purchased mine in 2004 and have replaced the pump once in that time. Not due to failure, but it started making a really loud whine. It is by far the most reliable piece of equiptment I own. My whole tank benefits because the salinity is now so stable. The price is a crunch...you have to plan and prepare: I didn't buy any corals or fish the summer I purchased my osmolator. But when I think of the money I wasted on other junk, before and since then, that is just sitting in my closet, I would save for an osmolator any day!

PLUS: Roger at Tunze is great for tech support. Very knowledgeable and reliable. I own a LOT of tunze stuff now: skimmer, stream pumps, reefpack filter, etc.

 

[Runfrumu]

I was having problems with mine coming on and not cutting off at first. I had it in a high mircobubble part of the sump and they were clinging to it, making it think it was out of water. Have since moved it to the last chamber in the sump with no bubbles and it's working great, water is always the exact same level.