Tunze ATO Problem

[MermaidReef]

Hello! I got a Tunze osmolator nano 3 ato for my 15 gallon cube, and I’ve tried so many things to get it to work and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. This model only has the sensor, so I’ve tried it in the main tank, the return chamber, and the filtration chamber. The light keeps turning orange and it doesn’t function. I’ve unplugged it to reset it, moved it because I thought maybe the black glass was affecting the sensor somehow, and taken the cap off to check it. The reservoir is below the tank. When I plug it back in it turns green for a second then goes right back to orange. The picture is showing it in the filtration chamber now. I don’t know if it’s something simple I’m missing as this is all new to me, or if it’s really a faulty one. Any ideas are appreciated!!

 

[MermaidReef]

 

[MermaidReef]

 

[MikeReefs]

Sensor should be in the return chamber this is usually where water drops when it evaporates. If you leave it long enough does it turn green? If it stays orange and doesn’t pump it may be faulty

 

[MermaidReef]

Sensor should be in the return chamber this is usually where water drops when it evaporates

That’s what I thought, then I read that maybe it was having issues because the water was dropping too fast and it couldn’t keep up. So I’ll try it again in the return chamber.

 

[Reef.]

Above is correct, the water will drop from your chamber with the return pump in it first, this is where the sensor should be but is not the cause of the issue…two things to check, first check the connections on the wires are all the way in, the connection seems to be fully seated but another push gets it in all the way, if still not working, take the cover of the ato pump and make sure the impeller is turning freely.

 

[MermaidReef]

Above is correct, the water will drop from your chamber with the return pump in it first, this is where the sensor should be but is not the cause of the issue…two things to check, first check the connections on the wires are all the way in, the connection seems to be fully seated but another push gets it in all the way, if still not working, take the cover of the ato pump and make sure the impeller is turning freely.

Ok I will try this!

 

[rvitko Verified Sponsor]

The symptoms you describe match this problem

 

[DietDr.Kelp]

Is the pump making noise as if trying to pull water from the water reservoir to your tank? Sometimes mine gets an air bubble stuck in it and I have to shake it around in order for it to properly pull water from the reservoir to the tank (my pump is kinda old, though).

 

[rvitko Verified Sponsor]

The new pumps on current model Osmolator 3 and Osmolator 3 Nano are not as prone to being airlocked, it is a much more sophisticated pump and it detects air or obstructions and tries to solve them by forward and reverse cycles and usually can clear air on its own, though it is possible in extreme cases it times out and gives up. The new pump is build the same as a DC power head and has sensors and a driver and removable impeller, the old pump was a very basic brush motor.