Tunze Osmolator 3 - 3134 (red indicator)

[SaltyZack]

Hey all, I have been running this ATO for about 10 days but now all of a sudden the sensor is red. I checked all my wires, hoses, reservoir, and attempted to reset the unit. I have a message out to Tunze but I’m leaving town in a couple days and really need to figure this out asap. Thank you in advance!

 

[rtparty]

I believe red means the emergency sensor has been activated

 

[rtparty]

@rvitko will get you taken care of

 

[EricR]

Haven't had this problem with mine but, from the manual:
- Red flashing means 10 minute timer safety triggered -- like if it ran too long without reaching normal level
- Red on (constant) means the overfill safety sensor triggered (water level too high)

I don't think you have to cut power to reset but wouldn't hurt to unplugged it for a few, double check that the overfill sensor is dry (and water level normal compared to the main optical sensor), then plug it back in.

*also just make sure the optical sensor is clean

 

[SaltyZack]

Haven't had this problem with mine but, from the manual:
- Red flashing means 10 minute timer safety triggered -- like if it ran too long without reaching normal level
- Red on (constant) means the overfill safety sensor triggered (water level too high)

I don't think you have to cut power to reset but wouldn't hurt to unplugged it for a few, double check that the overfill sensor is dry (and water level normal compared to the main optical sensor), then plug it back in.

*also just make sure the optical sensor is clean

Thanks Eric, the sensor is completely dry and just above the waterline now with no sort of buildup on it. Starting to think it’s just a bad sensor maybe?

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Eric, the sensor is completely dry and just above the waterline now with no sort of buildup on it. Starting to think it’s just a bad sensor maybe?

Some sump lights can mess with the sensor. I don’t know details but recall seeing Roger mention it

 

[SaltyZack]

Some sump lights can mess with the sensor. I don’t know details but recall seeing Roger mention it

Thanks, I shut off the sump lights about 30 minutes ago. No change unfortunately

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d unplug it and plug it back in. I’ve had both flashing red and solid red for the reasons stated above.

 

[SaltyZack]

I’d unplug it and plug it back in. I’ve had both flashing red and solid red for the reasons stated above.

no dice on the reset

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

no dice on the reset

Did it flash white during start up, as normal but then go solid red?

If so, I agree that asking Roger is the ticket.

 

[SaltyZack]

Yeah I’ll stand by for Roger!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@rvitko

 

[SaltyZack]

Yeah I’ll stand by for Roger! Edit: trying again not sure why the video didn’t post. Thanks Randy

 

[SaltyZack]

Turned out to be a sensor issue, Roger is sending a new one out. Thanks everyone for the help! Here is some helpful info on other things to try/note if you are having similar trouble:

A red light means water is touching the safety sensor, the water level is too high. This could be for a lot of reasons, a siphon, water added or a rock or anything that raises water level) an angle to the sensor (cable should exit the top center). The safety sensor is the small nipple and is an emergency shut off, the main sensor that turns the pump on and off is the cone that is right in the middle of the sensor.

If you use a UV or have a growlight spectrum light near the sensor, these can cause interference and will also cause it to fill to the safety sensor causing a red too high light. A UV must be a considerable distance away with no wire/ballast contact, the ballast is emitting a magnetic field which affects the electronics on the controller. Growlights emit infrared, the optic sensor uses infrared and will be blinded by the infrared source, this also applies to any other optic sensors in the area.

 

[Maize & Blue]

I noticed my red safety sensor came on when I stopped my skimmer to clean it. That generally raises the water in my stump area that overflows into my return pump chamber. After a few minutes, the return pump pumped enough water into the main display that the red sensor light went off. I don’t know if this was the reason, but it makes sense since the only thing that has changed in my tank was the skimmer turning off.

 

[Maize & Blue]

No, the skimmer itself is not directly connected to your
Tunze Osmolator 3 3154 ATOunit, so turning it off would not directly activate the red safety light. However, turning off your skimmer can cause a related effect in your sump that might trigger the safety light due to a change in water level.

Potential Causes Related to Turning Off the Skimmer

• Water Level Fluctuation: When an in-sump skimmer is turned off, the water level in the sump area where the ATO sensors are located can rise. The Tunze 3154 has a precise optical sensor and an independent thermal safety sensor that stop the pump if the water level goes above a certain point (overfilling). This high water level might be the reason the safety light is activating.
• Sensor Interference (Microbubbles): Skimmers produce microbubbles. The Tunze optical sensor is designed to resist these, but if the sensor is placed too close to the skimmer's outlet, a sudden change in bubble concentration after turning the skimmer off and on might temporarily affect the sensor's reading during the startup phase.

Common Causes of the 3154 Red Safety Light
The red light on the Tunze 3154 typically indicates an alarm or error mode has been activated. The specific causes for the red light are usually related to the ATO's operation itself:

• Pump Fault: The sensor may detect a fault with the ATO pump, such as it not being able to run or a blocked impeller.
• Freshwater Reservoir Empty: The unit can enter alarm mode if the freshwater reservoir is empty, to prevent the pump from running dry.
• Overfilling (High Water Alarm): The independent safety sensor is triggered if the water level is too high.
• Safety Timer Activation: The unit has a 10-minute safety timer that limits water release in the event of a damaged tube or sensor malfunction, which would trigger an alarm if exceeded.

Troubleshooting Steps
To resolve the red safety light issue:

1. Check the Water Level: First, verify the water level in your sump. Ensure it is below the safety sensor's trigger point when the skimmer is off and running normally.
2. Inspect the Sensor: Make sure the sensors are clean and free from deposits or algae buildup.
3. Check the Pump: Disconnect the unit from the power, check that the pump's power connector is dry, and inspect the pump's impeller for any blockages.
4. Refer to the Manual: Consult the Tunze Osmolator 3 manual for specific error codes or flashing patterns associated with the red light to diagnose the exact problem.