Tunze osmolator not operating correctly? Leaving for a 2 week vaction...

[SMI]

Purchased the Tunze osmolator in an effort to automate my system however I don't think the probe is calibrated correctly...the pump continuously tops-off even once the desired level is complete and I leave for a 2 week vacation at the end of the month, any suggestions? Thanks!! Steve.

 

[rvitko]

Is the pump running or do you have it set up wrong causing it to siphon even after the pump stops? In a proper install the hose goes to the tank- running up to defeat gravity and hence siphons. It should not contact the surface of the aquarium but be mounted over it. Otherwise, brand new osmolators will have issues with air sticking to the sensor this is simply the result of the highly polished plastic being hydrophobic. Rinsing it in warm water, possibly with some soap and drying it with a soft towel will eliminate this, otherwise it goes away on it's own in a couple days.

 

[SMI]

How much of the probe should contact the water? The unit will work for most of the day but then for some reason the pump will come on, pause briefly and then come on again, pause briefly and so on, I then pull the plug before the water gets to high, could the probe be defected? Please advise, Thanks!! Steve.

 

[rvitko]

Just the tip, but keep in mind any air bubbles will cause this problem, if you have a very turbulent sump or a lot of bubbles or the sensor is new as I described above this will happen. From what you describe it sounds like an air bubble issue and new sensors attract bubbles, the hot soapy water trick helps greatly to break this problem but I would not leave with the sensor operating in a sump that has bubbles in it.

 

[SMI]

I got a little bit of Micro bubbles in my sump but nothing major. Should I try to mount a piece of PVC around the sensor to cut down on the bubbles?

 

[rvitko]

Did you try the hot soapy water rinse? I would test it in a cup of water seperately, this will give you the answer as to whether or not it is the bubbles. It is very unlikely it is defective because the boards are tested on an oscilliscope.

 

[SMI]

I have cleaned it several times with warm water. Was a little nervous about the soap cracking the acrylic. seems to working now I will look for anything unusual if it goes haywire. Maybe the probe need to be nice and slimmy like a skimmer to work well. I will keep you posted. Thanks!! Steve.

 

[rvitko]

Exactly, it is the same reason new skimmers don't work well, plastic by nature repels water, making air more likely to stick. It takes time to break this property. I learned the hot water trick from a customer who worked at High End lighting as they do this for preassembly of some of their stage lighting.