Tunze 3155 issues

[htjunkie]

Having some issues with my 3155 last night, for no reason it was filling up the sump almost to the warning level (I was next to the tank and heard the pump was on for too long), I powered it down and turned it back on, it continued to pump water.

I took the optic sensor out and cleaned it (there was nothing attached to the optic that I could see), put it back and it was still pumping but it eventually stopped.

Today I looked and the water level is too low, found out now the water stops at the very bottom tip of the optic sensor. Before water would fill right up to the top of the optic sensor, or the sensor would be submerged into water all the time.

Do I have a problem with the optic sensor?

When I do maintenance of the tank, I have Apex to shut down power to 3155, every time I power it back up, pump would be on for a bit regardless of water level. Is this normal?

Much appreciate your assistance.

 

[rvitko]

How old is this osmolator?

A calcium or salt haze on the sensor can cause this and will only be visible as a dull haze when the sensor is completely dry. A soak in vinegar for a few hours will remove it.

Yes, the pump will run for about 15 seconds every time the unit is cycled on.

 

[htjunkie]

Thanks for your info, the unit is about 2 months old. Should the water level be normally below the tip of the sensor or submerge into the water?

 

[rvitko]

At 2 months old I think we can rule out calcium build up, this generally occurs at 6-12 months and only sooner if it near the effluent of a calcium reactor/ kalk dispenser.

Here is what should normally happen:

When the water reaches roughly the point where the cone of the optic sensor meets the cylinder, it should register full, the display will show a green light and yellow light, for an additional 10 seconds the pump will run and then the yellow light will turn off.

If it is filling much past this point, either the aquarium is small (less than 40 gallons) and the 10 second overfill is too much, roughly 1 cup of extra water. In that case, you would open the controller and turn down the pump speed so less is added in that time.

The other possibility is the water is really churning past the sensor. The sensor only detects air vs water. Bubbles will cause it to think it is dry and run and splashes and waves will cause it to think it is wet and stop. In this case, relocating it away from highly turbulent areas and sources of bubbles should solve the problem.

 

[htjunkie]

I relocated the sensor and it's much better now. I also lowered the emergency flow switch so in case if it doesn't stop it would only fill up extra little bit. Much appreciate your explanation.

 

[rvitko]

No problem, keep me posted if you have further issues.