Anyone have issues with Tunze ATO?

I've been running the Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 on my tank for a couple weeks which I purchased from BRS.

For the past week it has been acting up.

The water level drops way below the optical eye and it does not kick on the pump in the reservoir... It only works once I take a cup and fill it with a little bit of RO/DI water from the reservoir and pour it directly onto the optical eye... then it realizes the water level is low and starts working but only for 1 more time or so.

Think its faulty? Should I contact BRS?

 

Salt maybe? I say that only because you say it works after pouring water on it.

 

Hmmm... I was thinking the same thing... Any suggestions on how to fix it? Give it a bath in RO/DI maybe?

 

Shouldn't be A salt issue that quick. And even if it was once you cleaned it off it should run for quite a while before needing cleaning. I pour some fresh ro/di over mine every 2 weeks and it has never not noticed the low water level. Take it out clean it real good then see how long it lasts, if it still only works a couple of times its malfunctioning.

Edit:Also dont get finger prints on it, the oil from your fingers can mess with it too.

 

Any suggestions on how to clean it?

 

I think it tells you how in the derictions. I just use fresh water and wipe it down with a cloth.

 

All the more reason I like my DIY ATO.

Pros- no sensors, no selenoids, no pumps, The heavy duty float valve I use always stay above the water lines, no salt ever touchs the valve part, all plastic too.
holding resevoir so IF the vavle ever stuck, (never has) a max of 4g of RO/DI would be added to my ~145g system- no SG drops, my SR stays rock stable, LOW cost, no buckets to fill, only turning a valve 1/4 turn to fill the holding resevoir, ...

Cons-?

 

In my tank I have no way to use a gravity fed system. I would have liked too, but there is nothing above the tank. So I went with the best commercial ATO you can buy.

 

I just use an aqualifter from a bucket, connected to a float valve. Even if it sticks (snail etc.), my sump is big enough to hold the water in my reservoir. I just fill the bucket each week.

 

I certainly understand. I apologize for coming off so 'honery' No one has a basement where you live in 'Lost Wages'. ;-)

Lots of ways to 'skin a cat'