Setting up my Tunze Osmolator 3155... Question on issues with sensor

[mikefab]

So, I finally got my ATO system and I'm excited to set it up. I went through a half dozen sources before I found one in stock and could get it shipped to me. The guy was explaining that there is sometimes an issue with the sensor that for some reason lasts for a few days before it's normalized.
He said to wash the sensor with soap and water or with vinegar before putting it in and that helps to reduce the issues.
Has anyone else had this issue with one and if so, what's the best way to reduce the issue?
I haven't set it up yet, because I feel like I should do it when I'm going to be home for a while to keep an eye on it. I don't want to end up with a flood or a sensor alarm going off for hours. I only have a 16gallon and I'm amazed at how much evaporation I get in short periods of time.
Thanks for the advice!

[bnumair]

it is a float sensor they are cheap, u can replace the float sensor if it give u problems. sensor issues can be a problem. if it sticks it will dump the whole ro/di bin in ur tank. or if it dont open then tank water will evaporate and salinity will shoot up.

[mikefab]

The Tunze Omsmolator Universal 3155 actually has two sensors, one is a float and the other is not. I'm assuming the float is a backup or is for refugium. It's the other sensor that is more of an "eye" I guess that senses the water level. That's the one that will set off the alarm, etc and the guy explained that this is the one that is a little iffy for a few days when it's first set up for some reason. He said the eye one may have some type of coating on it or something that needs to wear off and then it's fine. That's why I was wondering if anyone else that uses this specific ATO has any advice on what they did that worked, etc.
Appreciate the reply.

[ek9vboi]

Wow, people giving advice on stuff they have no clue how it works. Dude, don't take advice from everyone and I'm not being rude about this but too many like to BS people on things.

I run the Tunze Osmolator ATO system, very great system and would pay for it over and over again. My advice would be to clean the OPTICAL SENSOR with some water. If it has calcium build up then soak it in vinegar and then wipe it off, don't scrub it as you can put scratches on the glass. If it's acting up like the guys says, might be that the sensor went bad and he could have sold you a malfunctioning unit. The float switch on this system is to detect a higher water level for any reason and shut down the whole ATO system.

As for a reservoir, I would get something accordingly. For example, if you have a container holding 5g as a reservoir and some miracle happens where it's emptied into your 55g display, the salinity will move but not as much. Redundancy is the key from destroying your tank.

[chucko]

Tunze support is also really good. I had a bad controller - called them and they sent a new one along with a return label - had it in two days.

Just make sure you have no bubbles/micro bubbles in the compartment with the sensor as they can/will settle on the sensor and make it think the water is low.

If you are worred about it flooding, do as I did to test. Put the pump in a container of water and just loop the hose for water back into that same container so it will not run out of water. Have another glass of water to put the optic sensor in - go ahead and submerge it. Make sure the float sensor is not pushed up to the top.
Turn the unit on. It will beep, the pump will run for ~20 seconds. The "level" led should be solid green and the pump should stop. PUll the sensor out of water, level light should flash for a few seconds, then low water light will come on (red), pump light will turn on (orange) and pump will run. Put the sensor back in water, orange and red lights should go off, green level light should come on and pump should turn off. Pull the sensor out again, let the pump start running for a bit, then push the float sensor up. Alarm should sound and pump should turn off.

[Palting]

Originally Posted by mikefab

So, I finally got my ATO system and I'm excited to set it up. I went through a half dozen sources before I found one in stock and could get it shipped to me. The guy was explaining that there is sometimes an issue with the sensor that for some reason lasts for a few days before it's normalized.
He said to wash the sensor with soap and water or with vinegar before putting it in and that helps to reduce the issues.
Has anyone else had this issue with one and if so, what's the best way to reduce the issue?
I haven't set it up yet, because I feel like I should do it when I'm going to be home for a while to keep an eye on it. I don't want to end up with a flood or a sensor alarm going off for hours. I only have a 16gallon and I'm amazed at how much evaporation I get in short periods of time.
Thanks for the advice!

Yes, the brand new optical sensor has an initial issue with a thin film of air that develops over the sensor. For some reason, the surface of the brand new sensor is hydrophobic, and the sensor thinks it is exposed to air rather than water, and will dump your ATO reservoir into the sump until the safety float alarm sensor shuts the system off.

This happened to myself and another reefer friend who bought the Tunze at the same time. It did straighten out after about 2 days, as the sensor lost this "hydrophobic" tendency.

One way to avoid it is to clean the sensor well before use. Some say dip the sensor in mild soapy water then put it in the sump without wiping it off. Or, just have it sit in the sump for a few days before you actually turn it on.

[mikefab]

Excellent advice, thanks!

[TucanSam007]

The only thing you have to worry about is scratching the optical sensor really. I let mine get completely caked in coralline and it still worked. My first optical sensor got scratched during shipping and would not shut off. Just be careful cleaning it.

[MaxxedMan]

Originally Posted by mikefab

The Tunze Omsmolator Universal 3155 actually has two sensors, one is a float and the other is not. I'm assuming the float is a backup or is for refugium. It's the other sensor that is more of an "eye" I guess that senses the water level. That's the one that will set off the alarm.

The float is the back up sensor, and it sets off the alarm and shuts off the pump. The "eye" turns the pump on when the water is low.

Place the eye where you want your water level, and place the float above that, but right below where you would go, "Oh crap, my tank is about to overflow!"

You'll want to position the eye with your pumps all running, and the float with your pumps turned off. (At least if they are in your Sump like mine, in a Red Sea Max, do I get to call the area behind the tank my sump?)

[SKurj]

i just installed one on my tank 10 days ago. Brand new out of the box, works fine no issues with the sensor, I didn't clean it wipe it nothing... maybe I got lucky..

My only issue is with using it on a display tank with the plastic trim I can't set the water level as high as I would like it. I have a HOB Fuge and the return from it causes bubbles and a splashing sound because the return 'ramp' is just above the water line. I could perhaps DIY something, but the documentation says 1" between water level and max level (float sensor shut off) is needed to ensure proper operation so I may not want to chance it.

[jasimek]

Make sure that the water level in your top off container is below that of the top level of your sump....if not the pump will continue pumping past the sensor and most likely will pump til it is shut off by the high water alarm

[OffDaHook]

Great Buy! I have one and LOVE IT!

[Johnic]

Funny. I just installed mine yesterday and I keep having issues with sensor I think. Sometimes it stops somestimes it keeps flling. Most of the time it keeps filling up past optical sensor and trips off the high switch. I'm nervous leaving this thing alone adding too much fresh water throwing off my Alk and salinity.

[mikefab]

That's what I was worried about too. When I bought it, the guy warned me the optical sensor might not work well for a day or two until a film dissolves. He told me to wash it lightly w/ dish soap and to actually dip the sensor in soapy water and not rinse if off before putting it in. I did that, and I had no probs w/ mine. I also didn't set it up until I knew I would be home all day to keep an eye on it.

[Johnic]

Ya. I also opened the controller and dialed down the tank size to nano so it doesn't dump water too fast and it also stops the 10 sec fill past hitting the fill point and it appears to have worked. It doesn't overfill now. I have a 30 gal with small sump so it overfilled all the time.
I home all day and will watch it.

[Palting]

Beyond that break-in period of a few days for the sensor to develop that "slime" coating, I've found the Tunze to be highly reliable. I've had mine sitting in the return section of the sump for almost a year now, and the outlet tubing at the skimmer section. No issues whatsoever. In fact, it's kinda freaky how it keeps the water level so constant, never fluctuating more than a millimeter or so in between doses. IMO, it's the best available ATO out there today.

[caraj]

Originally Posted by jasimek

Make sure that the water level in your top off container is below that of the top level of your sump....if not the pump will continue pumping past the sensor and most likely will pump til it is shut off by the high water alarm

So the eye senses water level in all directions? Right out of the box the eye sensor worked for a few minutes then stopped working and calls for water constantly until turned off by the top float switch.
My top off ro chamber is adjacent to the sump separated by glass