Profilux vs Apex

[amoreira]

Wish the apex would connect to my Osmollator ATOF. Sometimes the feed pump would fail and I've no alarm for low level in the sump. I will make my next project to put in a level float contact for low level.

The Apex also has a wireless I/F to the Vortech MP40. I've that on my list too.

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by amoreira

Wish the apex would connect to my Osmollator ATOF. Sometimes the feed pump would fail and I've no alarm for low level in the sump. I will make my next project to put in a level float contact for low level.

In my opinion the Osmolator is really only reliable for smaller systems because it will only run for 10 minutes max and then shuts down with no reset. Once the 10 minute cycle ends & the light goes red & you need to reset it manually by unplugging it. A royal pain for a larger system, I only use mine as a back up unit.

[amoreira]

Originally Posted by Snappy

In my opinion the Osmolator is really only reliable for smaller systems because it will only run for 10 minutes max and then shuts down with no reset. Once the 10 minute cycle ends & the light goes red & you need to reset it manually by unplugging it. A royal pain for a larger system, I only use mine as a back up unit.

Yeah, it's a pain in the rear end and the pump is not that reliable. I've had to replace 2 that burnt out. I also made the mistake of unplugging it 1 too many times from the plug in to the unit (not the wall) and it's loosely connected to the unit often failing to give it power.

I'm thinking of switching to s a simple float switch and a proper top off pump.

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by amoreira

Yeah, it's a pain in the rear end and the pump is not that reliable. I've had to replace 2 that burnt out. I also made the mistake of unplugging it 1 too many times from the plug in to the unit (not the wall) and it's loosely connected to the unit often failing to give it power.

I'm thinking of switching to s a simple float switch and a proper top off pump.

That's what I did except I just use an old powerhead to kickstart the flow after I empty my fresh water holding tank doing salt mix for a water change, once I get the flow running again I unplug the powerhead and just let it syphon through it, works quite well.
I don't remember the brand name but I bought from Marine Aquaria in Edmonton.

[MitchM]

My Profilux came with a couple of optical sensors. I use the controller to switch on and off the R/O water with a solenoid from Autotopoff.com ($32.00) You can set the solenoid to switch off after how ever many hours you like to prevent over filling.
I agree that the Osmolator is best for smaller systems.

[Palmer]

Sorry not to derale this thread but-

Just out of curiosity what are we considering smaller systems? Less than 500 gallons? In the posts that mention an osmolator is better for smaller systems are we saying that the rate of flow from the pump may not be sufficient to match evaporation rate of the system? I have an osmolator on a 120 Gallon tank with about 30 Gallons in the sump. Granted system size does not absolutely determine evaporation rate but mine isn't running that often that it is limited to the rate of the pump and I would love to have a system that had this problem

[MitchM]

I use an osmolator on a 150g setup that I have. Sometimes the sensor will become blocked or clouded over with salt creep or other stuff. After I clean it up, the pump will only run for 10 minutes then stop, which means that I have to sit there and plug then unplug the unit until the sump level is back up to regular maintained levels. Ideally it should keep up by small increments, but it doesn't always work out that way.
I think that on a smaller sump volume you could probably catch the problem sooner.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by Palmer

Sorry not to derale this thread but-

Just out of curiosity what are we considering smaller systems? Less than 500 gallons? In the posts that mention an osmolator is better for smaller systems are we saying that the rate of flow from the pump may not be sufficient to match evaporation rate of the system? I have an osmolator on a 120 Gallon tank with about 30 Gallons in the sump. Granted system size does not absolutely determine evaporation rate but mine isn't running that often that it is limited to the rate of the pump and I would love to have a system that had this problem

Continuing with this derail ... FWIW, I am running an Osmolator on my 280g, and with 3x400w halides, 4x54w t5's and 2x24 t5's, there is a fair bit of evaporation happening.

But the Osmolator is defective, it doesn't shut off (it gets stuck on). In the meantime while I am dealing with Tunze service about this, I just plug it in for a few minutes twice a day and unplug it when the water level gets to the level it should be.

Point is, the supplied pump is not slower than the rate of evaporation.

One thing you can do however, is get a 12V relay from an electronics supply store, splice that into an extension cord, run it off the top up and then you can run a Maxijet (or a solenoid valve or whatever you want) instead of the suppliied DC pump. You can also buy such a relay from Tunze although I don't see it listed anywhere, but the DIY project would be pretty simple (and probably around $10-20 in cost).

Check it:
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forum...er-device.html

[mr.wilson]

Originally Posted by MitchM

My Profilux came with a couple of optical sensors. I use the controller to switch on and off the R/O water with a solenoid from Autotopoff.com ($32.00) You can set the solenoid to switch off after how ever many hours you like to prevent over filling.
I agree that the Osmolator is best for smaller systems.

I use the exact same solenoid with a Profilux, as the GHL solenoid is only 230V, 50 hz. I switched mine to one optical sensor and one float switch as a fail safe. I have a mechanical float valve as a further fail safe.