Tunze Osmo w/ Kalk reactor

[LoneStar]

Has anyone used a Tunze Osmolator in combination with a Kalk reactor? I am going to build a 'reactor' in hopes to use it inline with my top off system. Any thoughts? Suggestions? I'd even take snide remarks :lol

[prof]

The osmolator uses an electric eye to determine the water level. This is problematic if debris gets on it. I have trouble with slime/algae covering mine. Then it stops working. I have to clean it daily to keep it working correctly. I think kalk buildup would cause you problems.

You could set up a supply tank that fills into the kalk reactor on overflow. That way the osmolator would sit in fresh, clean water.

[LoneStar]

I've been using the Osmolator for the past 1.5 years with no problem. It never clogged or got covered in slime. You can locate the the 'eye' and 'fill line' seperatly from each other in the sump. Thats not a problem. You can even put the 'fill line' in a location where the drain is to mix the kalk/RO top off and dilute it better. I was just seeing if anyone connected theirs to a reactor before. Tunze sells a (simple) container to run inline, but I'd rather tinker and make my own reactor. :)

[prof]

Mine is currently located in about the olny location possible. I am going to install a new sump in the coming weeks that will resolve my problems. I have had mine running for years and I love it. Just got to keep the 'eye' clean. :)

[JimD]

Tim Marvin used one with one of my kalk reactors for quite a while with no problems, so yes, Id say it can be done as long as the reactor is the last component in the chain.

[matt]

People do this all the time, using an osmolator to push fresh water through a KW reactor. It's no extra strain on the pump as it's still sitting in plain water.

But, if something goes wrong and the pump sticks on, you'll be REAL sorry. It's a risk...the tunze system is known to be pretty reliable, but I decided to bite the bullet and get a medical dosing pump. This way there's absolutely no chance of overdosing KW into my tank.

[Bill S]

I had a problem with my "eye" and emailed Tunze. They suggested soaking in vinegar once a month for an hour or so. That seems to work. They DID caution me against rubbing the "eye", as the deposits will scratch/ruin it.

[prof]

Keeping the 'eye' out of your light will cut down on the calcium build up. My problem is mostly with skimate and algae that occur when water travels from my tank to my sump. Vinegar is cheap and does a great job cutting calcium from plastic.

[LoneStar]

People do this all the time, using an osmolator to push fresh water through a KW reactor. It's no extra strain on the pump as it's still sitting in plain water.

But, if something goes wrong and the pump sticks on, you'll be REAL sorry. It's a risk...the tunze system is known to be pretty reliable, but I decided to bite the bullet and get a medical dosing pump. This way there's absolutely no chance of overdosing KW into my tank.

Its a risk I'm willing to take. This is by far the best piece of equipment I have bought in the aquarium trade. VERY reliable and very steady.