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View Full Version : OSmolator users - help


Europhyllia
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 03:20 PM
My ReefFanatic ATO quit so I decided to give the Osmolator a try.

Probably a stupid question but: what keeps the pump from running dry? Me?

The ReefFanatic had a sensor in the bucket that shut off power once the water level dropped too low. I don't see that option with the Osmolator.
RayAllen
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 03:40 PM
That all you Karin, Unless you want a ATO for your ATO
Europhyllia
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 03:46 PM
Seriously? I expected a little more snazziness since people seem to love their Osmolators and it does cost more than a regular ReefKeeper. Hm...
Hopefully I will start loving it some more pretty soon...
kkiel02
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 03:59 PM
Osmolators stop themselves if they run dry or run continously for too long. Done both here. Actually just ran it dry this morning. lol
Europhyllia
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 04:00 PM
Whew. Good. That Osmolator was about to get listed for sale. lol
ramsey
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 04:02 PM
Whew. Good. That Osmolator was about to get listed for sale. lol

Oh really? In that case, it doesn't have any fail safes and generally sucks. Can you sell it to me now? :P
kkiel02
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 04:05 PM
Yeah since Ive been trying to get the new tank up Ive neglected the ato quite a bit lately. Whats weird is Im running a hotter temp in the 100 gallon(t5, half the pumps etc.) than the 180(mh, pumps, etc.) and am needing to fill my ato container more for the smaller tank? Thats why I have been running mine dry alot lately. Then when I add more top off it will fill the whole tank back up but sometimes(I think 15 min. is the cut off) it will cut off because the pump has ran for too long. It keeps it from overfilling yor sump and flooding your floor if the sensor was to malfunction.
CoryDude
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 04:06 PM
Kevin's right. It has a 5 minute timer that keeps it from running continuously should your reservoir run dry. I've had to replace the pumps 2 times over a 10 year span, but they run like $18-20 to replace, so it's not the end of the world should you lock up a pump.
Europhyllia
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 04:25 PM
hm now it dumped all of the water into the sump and kindly alerted me to the fact that it's now overfull.
duh! thanks...
got to read the instructions again...
BSJF
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 08:41 PM
Make sure you aren't controlling it with a controller. It should be plugged into an outlet separate from any controller.
BSJF
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 08:42 PM
And, buy a spare pump now. You WILL need it, so have one on hand and you won't be without your topoff until a new one arrives.
ramsey
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 10:02 PM
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?59067-ATO/page3

There's a picture of mine. You need the optical senor below the float valve. Is this how you have it set up?
Europhyllia
Mon, 16th Aug 2010, 10:10 PM
I used the magnet holder. At first I used the separate magnets and then I went with the single magnet to hold both (which also means they are aligned the way Tunze suggested)
I'll wait for some water to evaporate and I'll try again tomorrow...
kkiel02
Tue, 17th Aug 2010, 05:44 AM
^Sounds like how mine is setup. The float switch is above the optical sensor.