Tunze ATO 3155 w/Osmolator Help.

[zemuss]

I just purchased the TUNZE ATO 3155 with the Osmolator and it is a nice setup out of the box. Whe I set the unit up without the pump plugged in to "dial" it in to the ideal water level for my tank which is found when the green level sensor illuminates. Then I leave the controller for a few minutes to return moments later to the pump light on which is bad because the sensors have not move at all. (I double check everything) So does it seem like i have a bad controller? For the amount of money I paid for this unit I certainly am not confident with this ATO at all!

I bought this unit to be able to use it with my KALK reactor, however, I will now need to install a value to back the flow off on the Osmolator. Yes it is that strong it stirs my kalk which settled on the bottom of the reactor.

I am hoping to gather some thoughts on this unit and any feed back is appreciated.

"Z"

 

[dunc101]

It is known to sometimes have a "break in" issue. Try soaking the sensor in vinegar for a couple of hours and see if that helps. I can assure you though, once these things are "broken in" they work great! I have had mine for 2 years now and.... I haven't touched the sensor at all lol.

 

[zemuss]

Cool... Glad to hear. I actually sent the same post to Tunze last night. Was a bit hot under the collar because i spent two hours trouble shooting this issue.

I will soak in a vinegar bath tonight and see how that goes. Tunze also said I might need to add a bubble trap in my sump because micro bubbles will cause the sensor to act erroneously. I use my sump for just keeping the equipment and never wanted to get all fancy.
Thoughts on adding the bubble trap?

"Z"

 

[fasiczka]

I actually had a similar problem with mine the first day it was installed but I just power cycled it a few times.... havent had a problem since its been about 3 months.

 

[zemuss]

Update and need input please.

SO the Tunze is working great, but seems to come on every few hours. I didn't imagine I lost that much water jesh! It comes on and dumps a few oz of water each time. Seems my corals are enjoying a more stable tank, chalices are puffed up, SPS have PE and acans / zoas are fully open. So glad I didn't throw in the towel.

Now to get Calcium up because the corals are soaking it in.. lol

 

[dunc101]

Update and need input please.

SO the Tunze is working great, but seems to come on every few hours. I didn't imagine I lost that much water jesh! It comes on and dumps a few oz of water each time. Seems my corals are enjoying a more stable tank, chalices are puffed up, SPS have PE and acans / zoas are fully open. So glad I didn't throw in the towel.

Now to get Calcium up because the corals are soaking it in.. lol

How large is the tank? My 90 gallon with 30 gallon sump has around 1-2 gallons a day of evaporation using LED's depending on the time of year.
If you are seeing a drop in calcium, you are likely also seeing a drop in alkalinity, unless your water change salt is low in calcium. As a matter of fact, I test alkalinity once a week and probably only test calcium once a month b/c it is usually much easier to see the drop in alkalinity vs calcium b/c of the major "difference" (ie. it is easy to see alkalinity drop from 9-8 instead of calcium drop from 420-400 b/c the error range on the test kits). Whenever I up my alkalinity 2 part, I also adjust my calcium so that I always dose in equal amounts.
Is this the input / question you were looking for?

 

[terminallance]

Mine does the same on my 17.4 gal I go through about 1.3 gal every threeish days

 

[zemuss]

Yes thanks. Everything is pretty stable right now. I actually went back to a normal 5 gallon weekly change instead of a 10 gallon change.

Calcium is at 420 now and ALk is 9.5. Steady.