Tunze Osmolator 3 ATO Failed

[The Warelock]

Thankfully I had a high water level sensor connected to my hydros to act as a failsafe and it alerted me and shut off the ATO multiple times last night.

When I checked the Tunze sensor it was clear something burned/melted. There was even part of the melted stuff stuck to the sensor cover piece. The scary part is that it kept filling past the sensor anyways? I thought tunze had some sort of internal failsafe for such sensor failure occurrences but I guess not????? Thank God I setup a controller to add the extra failsafes for my ATO and heater (maybe I should replace my heater before it fails too :-s)

The Tunze ATO was purchased 18 months ago (in 2024) in case that matters.

 

[NanoSteam]

I recall seeing this issue posted before but I don't remember if it was something addressed by Tunze. Hopefully someone has that info because I just got one not too long ago and this terrifies me.

 

[billyocean]

I recall seeing this issue posted before but I don't remember if it was something addressed by Tunze. Hopefully someone has that info because I just got one not too long ago and this terrifies me.

I was about to say.....I saw a post about this before, not long ago. I think, if I recall correctly, tunze replaced it as it was an issue on early models.

 

[saltcreep74]

The Tunze is covered by a 5 year warranty. I would send it in and they should send you a replacement and tell you why the sensor burned out.

 

[The Warelock]

The Tunze is covered by a 5 year warranty. I would send it in and they should send you a replacement and tell you why the sensor burned out.

Thanks, I emailed Tunze and the store I bought it from. Hopefully they will replace it! I have a hydros ATO kit I bought as a backup in case this such a situation happened. The hydros ATO just seems kind of cheap though, hopefully Tunze replaces with a unit that won’t have this issue again.

 

[dadnjesse]

Was it the new version? This seems to be more common since they changed the design. I have had my Tunze 3155 for around 10 years and it's been flawless other than cleaning the sensor once in a while.

 

[The Warelock]

Was it the new version? This seems to be more common since they changed the design. I have had my Tunze 3155 for around 10 years and it's been flawless other than cleaning the sensor once in a while.

Yes it’s the newer design, the one that is only a sensor (no float switch).

 

[imDarrin]

You mind if I ask what the outcome was? Did they end up replacing it, and was there any reason given on why the failure?

 

[rtparty]

They replace them under warranty. There was a manufacturing defect in some of the early units that has been resolved

 

[305]

Thankfully I had a high water level sensor connected to my hydros to act as a failsafe and it alerted me and shut off the ATO multiple times last night.

When I checked the Tunze sensor it was clear something burned/melted. There was even part of the melted stuff stuck to the sensor cover piece. The scary part is that it kept filling past the sensor anyways? I thought tunze had some sort of internal failsafe for such sensor failure occurrences but I guess not????? Thank God I setup a controller to add the extra failsafes for my ATO and heater (maybe I should replace my heater before it fails too :-s)

The Tunze ATO was purchased 18 months ago (in 2024) in case that matters.

Broooooooooo I unplugged mine after I saw it wasn’t topping off and proceeded to wait till the weekend to check it out.
This point of sale has prolly been the culprit of some coral death.. maybe stray voltage or he’ll, maybe metals in the tank.
I’ve been scratching my head at what the heck has been going on!!
Looooook what I found!!!!
I had no LEDs on the sensor.. I thought that was wierd, unplugged it.z
Decided to today to troubleshoot, when I plug the power box in, I get a blinking green on the status led (on brick)
When I disconnect power to the unit, the power box has a solid green led.
Well look at this point of sale sensor!!!
I ammmm livid!!

 

[The Warelock]

Thankfully I had a high water level sensor connected to my hydros to act as a failsafe and it alerted me and shut off the ATO multiple times last night.

When I checked the Tunze sensor it was clear something burned/melted. There was even part of the melted stuff stuck to the sensor cover piece. The scary part is that it kept filling past the sensor anyways? I thought tunze had some sort of internal failsafe for such sensor failure occurrences but I guess not????? Thank God I setup a controller to add the extra failsafes for my ATO and heater (maybe I should replace my heater before it fails too :-s)

The Tunze ATO was purchased 18 months ago (in 2024) in case that matters.

Broooooooooo I unplugged mine after I saw it wasn’t topping off and proceeded to wait till the weekend to check it out.
This point of sale has prolly been the culprit of some coral death.. maybe stray voltage or he’ll, maybe metals in the tank.
I’ve been scratching my head at what the heck has been going on!!
Looooook what I found!!!!
I had no LEDs on the sensor.. I thought that was wierd, unplugged it.z
Decided to today to troubleshoot, when I plug the power box in, I get a blinking green on the status led (on brick)
When I disconnect power to the unit, the power box has a solid green led.
Well look at this point of sale sensor!!!
I ammmm livid!!

Yup, looks like the same thing that happened with mine. Roger from Tunze US should send you a replacement sensor. Send photo of the plastic cover too if you need that replaced, mine had plastic welded to the inside of it after the sensor/heating element melted. Roger said the issue was fixed and I haven’t had any issues with the replacement (knock on wood!)

 

[305]

Yup, looks like the same thing that happened with mine. Roger from Tunze US should send you a replacement sensor. Send photo of the plastic cover too if you need that replaced, mine had plastic welded to the inside of it after the sensor/heating element melted. Roger said the issue was fixed and I haven’t had any issues with the replacement (knock on wood!)

Is that the dude replying in the other thread?? Rivcko or something like that?
If not, got a direct email or contact for Roger?
I was gonna call customer service in a couple hours since I’m eastern pacific..

 

[The Warelock]

Yup, looks like the same thing that happened with mine. Roger from Tunze US should send you a replacement sensor. Send photo of the plastic cover too if you need that replaced, mine had plastic welded to the inside of it after the sensor/heating element melted. Roger said the issue was fixed and I haven’t had any issues with the replacement (knock on wood!)

Is that the dude replying in the other thread?? Rivcko or something like that?
If not, got a direct email or contact for Roger?
I was gonna call customer service in a couple hours since I’m eastern pacific..

Not sure about the other user replying but I communicated with him via this email:

[email protected]