Tunze osmolator 3155 questions!

JollyGreen · 12/11/2006, 10:35 PM

I just got a tunze omsolator a few days ago, took a while to set up but I now have it running on my tank. I just have a display with no sump or refuge. The pump is just in a bucket next to the tank.

I just want to make sure it is operating the way it is for you guys.

The green light seems to flash on and off for mine quite often, I guess because the light sensor is being barely touched by the water, so it turns it on and off as the water is washing around the sensor. Is that consistent with yours?

I feel like my pump turns on every 5-15 minutes and pumps a little bit of water in the tank, does that seem correct? Or does yours wait until the water drops a fair amount and then pump a good amount of water into the tank to bring it up to the sensor?

I feel like it is running correctly, just want to make sure, seems like a very professional top off system. I like how it pumps just a little at a time, which minimizes fluctuations. I'm going to try and a larger bucket than 5 gallons, any suggestions?

JG

JC VT · 12/11/2006, 11:17 PM

Mine turns on pretty regularly. The sensor is very very sensitive to changes in water levels. Some detritus builds up in my sump, so every once in a while I take a turkey baster and suck some out. One baster-full of water and my osmolater turns on

EDIT: Oh yeah, I'd definitely recommend using a larger reservoir. I use one of those rubbermaid storage containers.

bureau13 · 12/12/2006, 12:35 AM

Same hear...I would say that's one of the advantages of the system, it tops off in small, frequent intervals and therefore minimizes any changes in chemistry that may occur due to the evap-topoff cycle.

jds

mc-cro · 12/12/2006, 11:58 PM

how often it turns on is really on dependant upon your volume of evap vs your tank size.

first, you should have the sensor in a calm area of water to ensure it keeps a consitent reading. although this unit does a good job because it has a delay circuit that makes sure the water level is consitent for a couple of seconds and is not just splashing around. thats the green light flashing

secondly, if you only have a 26g tank, it doesnt take but a small amount of water to change the level. a cup or so will probably make a measurable difference. My osmolator is on a 100g rubbermaid sump. it takes quite a bit of water evap to make it kick on, due to the surface area/volume ratio required to change the water level.

bureau13 · 12/13/2006, 01:08 AM

That's a good point...I should say it doesn't take much of a drop in water LEVEL to turn it on. In my setup, that translates into not a lot of evap, which I like...but it wouldn't necessarily be so I guess.

jds

12/11/2006, 10:35 PM	#1
JollyGreen Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 136	Tunze osmolator 3155 questions! I just got a tunze omsolator a few days ago, took a while to set up but I now have it running on my tank. I just have a display with no sump or refuge. The pump is just in a bucket next to the tank. I just want to make sure it is operating the way it is for you guys. The green light seems to flash on and off for mine quite often, I guess because the light sensor is being barely touched by the water, so it turns it on and off as the water is washing around the sensor. Is that consistent with yours? I feel like my pump turns on every 5-15 minutes and pumps a little bit of water in the tank, does that seem correct? Or does yours wait until the water drops a fair amount and then pump a good amount of water into the tank to bring it up to the sensor? I feel like it is running correctly, just want to make sure, seems like a very professional top off system. I like how it pumps just a little at a time, which minimizes fluctuations. I'm going to try and a larger bucket than 5 gallons, any suggestions? JG

12/11/2006, 11:17 PM	#2
JC VT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 579	Mine turns on pretty regularly. The sensor is very very sensitive to changes in water levels. Some detritus builds up in my sump, so every once in a while I take a turkey baster and suck some out. One baster-full of water and my osmolater turns on EDIT: Oh yeah, I'd definitely recommend using a larger reservoir. I use one of those rubbermaid storage containers. __________________ What ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in what?

12/12/2006, 11:58 PM	#4
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	how often it turns on is really on dependant upon your volume of evap vs your tank size. first, you should have the sensor in a calm area of water to ensure it keeps a consitent reading. although this unit does a good job because it has a delay circuit that makes sure the water level is consitent for a couple of seconds and is not just splashing around. thats the green light flashing secondly, if you only have a 26g tank, it doesnt take but a small amount of water to change the level. a cup or so will probably make a measurable difference. My osmolator is on a 100g rubbermaid sump. it takes quite a bit of water evap to make it kick on, due to the surface area/volume ratio required to change the water level. __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

12/12/2006, 12:35 AM	#3
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	Same hear...I would say that's one of the advantages of the system, it tops off in small, frequent intervals and therefore minimizes any changes in chemistry that may occur due to the evap-topoff cycle. jds

12/13/2006, 01:08 AM	#5
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	That's a good point...I should say it doesn't take much of a drop in water LEVEL to turn it on. In my setup, that translates into not a lot of evap, which I like...but it wouldn't necessarily be so I guess. jds