Tunze osmolator ... The eye acting up!

[kris2001]

I've had this Tunze osmolator for 5 years. Within the last 2 months I had to clean the eye with a toothbrush, the first time there was some salt creep and it didn't pump water so the water level went down by an inch into sump.

Today did the same thing but there was no salt creep I still used the brush to brush the eye and after I brushed it it pumped water...

My question is does this optic sensor...need to be replaced once every few years or just clean it with a toothbrushe is enough?... do I have to use vinegar solution or soak it in vinegar?

 

[exnisstech]

That looks like a float switch not an optical sensor (eye). They do need to be cleaned occasionally or they can stick. Optical sensors I just wipe off. My old jbj ato only used float switches and I placed it inside of a piece of womens knee high stockings to prevent snails from climbing on but it worked for keeping it clean also. This one was still working fine after not being cleaned for over 6 years.

 

[Gtinnel]

From the time I got my osmolator I’ve had to wipe the optical sensor off every month or so. If not it will eventually fail to turn on when the water level drops. As long as cleaning it fixes it then I’d say your sensor is probably isn’t failing.

That looks like a float switch not an optical sensor (eye)

It’s hard to see in the picture but the optical sensor is beside the float switch.

 

[exnisstech]

From the time I got my osmolator I’ve had to wipe the optical sensor off every month or so. If not it will eventually fail to turn on when the water level drops. As long as cleaning it fixes it then I’d say your sensor is probably isn’t failing.


It’s hard to see in the picture but the optical sensor is beside the float switch.

Ah I see it now. I also run one of those on another tank and like you I just wipe it off now and then.

 

[kris2001]

THX guys.
Can the optical be removed I wonder if it needs a soaking in vinegar solution... I don't want to ruin it maybe I'll just brush it with some vinegar solution with a toothbrush? Especially before I go on a vacation .

I wonder if they slowly lose their ability to see digitally I mean as they age because the first four years I never had to brush the eye.

Also I wonder if having the RODI ato water drain on top of the optical sensor.. will it constantly flush out the salt creeping impurities or will it make the matters worse, any thoughts?

 

[Gtinnel]

THX guys.
Can the optical be removed I wonder if it needs a soaking in vinegar solution... I don't want to ruin it maybe I'll just brush it with some vinegar solution with a toothbrush? Especially before I go on a vacation .

I wonder if they slowly lose their ability to see digitally I mean as they age because the first four years I never had to brush the eye.

Also I wonder if having the RODI ato water drain on top of the optical sensor.. will it constantly flush out the salt creeping impurities or will it make the matters worse, any thoughts?

I know they can be removed from the bracket but I don’t know how hard it would be to remove from the controller. I also don’t know if a soak in vinegar would hurt it, although I’d guess that it probably wouldn’t.
According to this thread and the Tunze rep to get a new optical sensor it has to be calibrated, which also makes me wonder if they can get to where they need calibrated again.

 

[kris2001]

I know they can be removed from the bracket but I don’t know how hard it would be to remove from the controller. I also don’t know if a soak in vinegar would hurt it, although I’d guess that it probably wouldn’t.
According to this thread and the Tunze rep to get a new optical sensor it has to be calibrated, which also makes me wonder if they can get to where they need calibrated again.

Thx, were you gonna insert that thread here...? Maybe you forgot to paste it...!

 

[Gtinnel]

Thx, were you gonna insert that thread here...? Maybe you forgot to paste it...!

You are correct I apparently forgot to post a link to it. While finding the thread I saw earlier I actually found a few more where @rvitko talks about the sensor calibration.
I also went ahead and tagged him because he would know if an optical sensor replacement is needed, or even available on the older model.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/t...ical-sensor-replacement.928382/#post-10569808

 

[kris2001]

Thanks... This is my model BTW... It's 5017

 

[kris2001]

I just did some investigation and I found out that whenever I do kalk for killing aphtasia this problem occurs because even tiny specks of kalc is enough to mess the sensor.

I cleaned the sensor with 100% vinegar in a brush. ... now things are working fine!