Tunze Top off, PLEASE HELP!

[New_Noob]

ok, i ahve a prob, i bought a tunze auto top off, i have it installed right! i ahve had it for a week and it has done great, but today when i woke up the high water alarm was on, i didnt have a powersurge either, it keps pumping water in, no matter how far i submerge the optic eye it pumps, i have a 13g container next to the sump, it is taller then the sump and filled to the top, but its not siphoning the water to the tank because the pump is on and pumping it in, i marked the water level the eye is at, and i take out water to below it, and it pumps, and pumps, and pumps, i cant have this happen, in 2 days i will be out of town, out of country for a week! this playing around cant happen then, whats going on guys? i have read the manuel 4 times, and no clues, i need answers fast! it did this the first time i plugged it in, but then stopped.

 

[shred5]

The sensor probably need to be cleaned...Seems to happen when they are new... I use vinegar... .... I would post this in the tunze forum so Roger can help you out directly.. he is the U.S. rep for tunze.....

Dave

 

[jdg]

I'd definitely get this posted in the Tunze forum.

 

[mhurley]

[moved]

 

[jdg]

<i>This thread has been moved to the current forum.</i>

Thanks Mike! :thumbsup:

 

[marcrothschild]

Instead of having it pump into the sump, try pumping into the tank(head pressure). Make sure the sensor is in an area of your sump without turbulence. Mine has worked with no prob for a year set this way....I use a soft toothbrush every few mos. to remove organics. I hope you solve your prob

 

[rvitko]

I would first be certain the pump is running, you should always pump up to the tank, also check that the lights are on showing the pump is running. Their are so many possible causes but the two most likely are the circuit board got wet or you added something new to your set up that is creating a electromagnetic field- ballasts are the biggest candidate here. In general a failure will occur in the off position if the sensor is bad. I would check all the wires, I have seen pets chew through and short the wires. I would also check the transformer voltage and be sure it is at least 9V.

 

[New_Noob]

ok, well the sensor is in no water movement, i ahve not added any new electrical stuff, a few frags, but nothign causing elctromanetic vibes, i now have it pumping to the DT, i soakd and rubbed the eye in pure white vinigar, volts are at 9, but it wont stop pumping!!!!! no cords are chewed. and my dad had set it up 4 me, could it be that its set up wrong?

 

[rvitko]

The optic sensor should touch the water, no cords should be touching it, no air bubbles should collect on it. The safety float should be at least one inch above that. The hose needs to go up to the tank- again is it pumping or siphoning, if it is pumping the yellow pump light should be on and the pump should be heard running. Are you sure the main controller did not get wet? Short of these options it would have to be sent in to be checked out. If you can provide a picture of the install I may be able to help further but I can't say I have heard of this before. Also, note that it is normal for it to pump for up to 30 seconds after registering full but it would be a great help to have photos and some description of the LED read out. Do you get a green light when the sensor is submerged?

 

[shred5]

also make sure the feed line is not under water because it could siphon water back out of the tank... I use a check valve on the fresh water feed line just incase....

Dave

 

[New_Noob]

Yes the yellow light is on, and i can hear the pump, when i reach down and put my hand by the hole i can feel the water getting sucked up, so it IS pumping and not siphoning, i have a chack valve, and it is pumping through nearly 5' or 1/4 tubing

 

[rvitko]

When the optic sensor is submerged does the green light come on?

 

[New_Noob]

yes, i made some SW, and i take out the sw from the tank, so its a little bit nder the sensor, and seeing if its ok now. we will see.

i understnd the whole lightsystem, one of my local buddies got me to get the tunze, he likes it so he told me all about it.

 

[New_Noob]

well i just checked, seems to be working ok now, stoped at the desired lvl, but what was up with it earlier, there is no way the panel could ahve getten wet, i have a below tank sump, its on the other side of the wall that my tank is on(we have a dual 55g stand (salt on top, fresh on bottom) so we had to drill through the wall, and i also agce all the possible gaps silicones, and in a clear laminated bag, i first had a life reef top off for 4 months or so, but i got (littraly) 5 drops of wate ron it, and it shorted, i mean come on, if im gonna spend $80 on a POS plastic float, and a crapy azz cheap toy panel that shorts with drops of water, wont it come with a space age material called.....PLASTIC, come on it will be by the tank, and therfor bye water and water WILL get on it! LIFEREEF SUCKS SO BAD NEVER GET THAT CRAP!

ventin.


hopefully all goes good, i woudl liek to thank tunze and the employes for your time/help, im sure this wont be the last product i get form you!

 

[New_Noob]

BUMP><><>

Nope its still not workin!!!

 

[rvitko]

Just send it in.

Tunze USA
1304 Monica St
Austin TX 78758

I can have it repaired or replaced within a day of getting it.

 

[New_Noob]

no time! im gonna go geta cheapo float for $20 if ic ant fix it by tonight, and send it in after i get back from vacation.

my first suspect are bubbles, bubble might build up on the switch, and the sump is in a "cabnit" so i must unlock it eevrythime, and that might get swish the bubbles off, so i will leave the door open and check in an hour to see fit here are any built up, would that cause it? if so how would i stop it? my sump is packed, ASM skimmer, cal reactor, drain line, return, and its only a 15g, so bubbles are everywhere! maybe aim a powerhead by the optic eye to keep it in flow?

 

[rvitko]

I think you found your problem, bubbles are the main cause, if bubbles are all over it it thinks it is in air and triggers the pump. The best fix would be to pick up an Oceanic Model 1 sump to replace the 15, it is a 20gallon but it has a really nice bubble trap, they cost about $100.

 

[New_Noob]

ty i will look into it.