- Location
- Cincinnati, OH
Hello everyone,
I want to take some time to give a quick overview of the Genesis | STORM? Specialized Top Off & Replenishment Module. The STORM? is no ordinary automatic top off module. It's loaded with redundancy (by now, you've probably noticed we are all about redundancy at Genesis Reef Systems!), and it boasts several features that no other top off system out there can.
The STORM? is available in two versions: the STORM? Basic and the STORM? Pro. We'll get the differences between the two later, but in broad strokes the STORM? consists of a Control Module, two or more Level Sensors, two or more of our unique and versatile Level Sensor Mount Assemblies with Shrouds, and optionally a ROCv? Replenishment Module to automatically control your reverse osmosis filter's production of top off water.
The Control Module is very straightforward. It has four buttons, a two-character display, several LED indicators, two AC power receptacles, and connection points for various level sensors and the RENEW? Automatic Water Change System communication cable. The user interface was designed to be as intuitive as possible. The button on the left controls the auxiliary power outlet, for such items as the ROCv?, an extra pump or powerhead, or perhaps a small heater or other peripheral device. The button can be simply depressed momentarily to toggle the device on or off, or it can be held for three seconds to enter ROCv? mode. ROCv? mode allows the STORM? to monitor level sensors placed in your top off bin and automatically refill your top off bin whenever the supply gets low. No more checking your sump level only to find it's low because you forgot to refill the top off bin! The middle button controls your top off functions and pump. It can be used to start top off functions, pause top off functions, or it can be pressed and held to manually turn the top off pump on. The two buttons on the right adjust the duration that the top off pump stays on when performing a top off function, or they can be pressed simultaneously to enter the Min-to-Max setup mode (more about that later).
Operation of the STORM? is straightforward as well, but here's where the STORM? really sets itself apart from other ordinary top off modules. The STORM? constantly monitors your sump or aquarium's water level and add fresh water to replace water lost through evaporation as necessary - nothing earth-shattering here! However, here are some of the things you can do with the STORM? that you can't do with other top off modules:
1. Adjust the duration of top off cycles in 1-second increments
2. Control a peripheral device like a small pump, powerhead, heater, etc.
3. Automatically replenish your top off supply
4. Easily set minimum and maximum water levels, using only one sensor
5. Manually turn on your top off pump with the simple press of a button
6. Automatically detect an automatic water change system and suspend operation when water is intentionally removed for water changes
7. Place your Level Sensors exactly where you want them with infinite height adjustability, even in a deep bin, using our unique Level Sensor Hangers
8. Protect your Level Sensors from erroneous triggering due to water turbulence or critters
The list goes on, but as you can see the STORM? is in a league of its own with respect to what it can do. It's also the most robust automatic top off module available, due to numerous layers of redundancy and the highest quality components, including our level sensors.
The STORM? Basic comes with two of these high quality Level Sensors for the sump and the top off bin. The Level Sensor in the sump triggers a top off cycle, and the Level Sensor in the top off bin prevents your pump from running dry. The STORM? also monitors its own operation for added redundancy. In the default mode, if the STORM? performs a top off cycle twice in a row and doesn't detect that the sump level has increased, it will cease top off functions and alert you that there is a problem somewhere - either your pump has seized, the tubing has fallen out of your sump, or your top off bin's water level is too low. An alternate operating mode provides another means of ensuring that your system is performing as expected, using a maximum time function for top off completion. Even more redundancy is added with the STORM? Pro.
The STORM? Pro includes everything that the Basic model includes, but it also adds a ROCv? Replenishment Module, two ROCv? Level Sensors, two more Level Sensor Shrouds, and two Failsafe Level Sensors. The Failsafe Level Sensors are placed above the sump and top off bin Level Sensors and monitor for water levels that are too high. Any time they detect that water is at that level, the STORM? will suspend top off operation or turn the ROCv? off to stop reverse osmosis water production, depending on which water level is too high.
So what is this ROCv? that keeps getting mentioned? The ROCv? allows water to flow to or from a reverse osmosis filter that feeds your top off bin. It must be used with a STORM? since it borrows the STORM's "brain." The ROCv? automatically turns on when the STORM? detects that the water level in the top off bin is getting low, and when the bin is full it is turns off. Redundancy is key here as well: your reverse osmosis filter is hooked up to an endless supply of water! The first layer of redundancy is the ROCv? itself. If a power outage occurs, the ROCv? automatically stops the flow of water through your RO filter. Second, the ROCv? Max Level Sensor lets the STORM? know when to turn the ROCv? off. Third, the recommended float valve will stop the flow of water into your top off bin if it should get too high, and finally, the Failsafe Level Sensor on your top off bin will signal the STORM? to turn off the ROCv? should the other Level Sensor and float valve fail. There's virtually no way you're going to have a flood with the STORM? Specialized Top Off & Replenishment Module!
Min to Max Setup Mode. In default operating mode, the STORM's top off duration can be manually adjusted to turn the top off pump on for anywhere between 5 and 99 seconds. In this manner you can decide whether to add a little water - just enough to raise the water level in your small sump or aquarium a tiny bit - or quite a bit of water for a sump with a larger volume and surface area. Adjusting the duration to add just the right amount of water can be a little hit-or-miss when done manually the first time, so we added the Min-to-Max Setup Mode to take the guesswork out. Simply enter the Min-to-Max Setup Mode, go off to tend to your other business for a while, come back, and manually top off to the desired maximum level. The STORM? will automatically store the duration needed to achieve this level and will then use that duration on subsequent top off cycles, thereby adding approximately the same amount of water each time. This is particularly useful on large sumps such as those in retail stores or wholesale facilities.
One final thing to cover - the STORM's interaction with the RENEW? Automatic Water Change System. The STORM? is the only top off system that can work with an automatic water change system such as the Genesis RENEW?. The STORM? communicates with the RENEW? and recognizes when the RENEW? is removing water from the sump or aquarium for a water change. When water has been removed by the RENEW?, the STORM? will not attempt to replace the water with fresh water. You can imagine what would happen with an ordinary top off system: it would treat the water removed as though it had evaporated, and add the same amount of fresh water, lowering salinity. Then, as replacement saltwater was introduced into the aquarium, the water level would rise. After a few repeat cycles like this, you're headed for a flood! Well, no need to worry with the STORM? and RENEW? combination - they work together seamlessly to provide you with unsurpassed automated water handling.
I've tried to cover as much as I could, but please feel free to ask questions for more details. I look forward to hearing from you!
Kevin
I want to take some time to give a quick overview of the Genesis | STORM? Specialized Top Off & Replenishment Module. The STORM? is no ordinary automatic top off module. It's loaded with redundancy (by now, you've probably noticed we are all about redundancy at Genesis Reef Systems!), and it boasts several features that no other top off system out there can.
The STORM? is available in two versions: the STORM? Basic and the STORM? Pro. We'll get the differences between the two later, but in broad strokes the STORM? consists of a Control Module, two or more Level Sensors, two or more of our unique and versatile Level Sensor Mount Assemblies with Shrouds, and optionally a ROCv? Replenishment Module to automatically control your reverse osmosis filter's production of top off water.
The Control Module is very straightforward. It has four buttons, a two-character display, several LED indicators, two AC power receptacles, and connection points for various level sensors and the RENEW? Automatic Water Change System communication cable. The user interface was designed to be as intuitive as possible. The button on the left controls the auxiliary power outlet, for such items as the ROCv?, an extra pump or powerhead, or perhaps a small heater or other peripheral device. The button can be simply depressed momentarily to toggle the device on or off, or it can be held for three seconds to enter ROCv? mode. ROCv? mode allows the STORM? to monitor level sensors placed in your top off bin and automatically refill your top off bin whenever the supply gets low. No more checking your sump level only to find it's low because you forgot to refill the top off bin! The middle button controls your top off functions and pump. It can be used to start top off functions, pause top off functions, or it can be pressed and held to manually turn the top off pump on. The two buttons on the right adjust the duration that the top off pump stays on when performing a top off function, or they can be pressed simultaneously to enter the Min-to-Max setup mode (more about that later).
Operation of the STORM? is straightforward as well, but here's where the STORM? really sets itself apart from other ordinary top off modules. The STORM? constantly monitors your sump or aquarium's water level and add fresh water to replace water lost through evaporation as necessary - nothing earth-shattering here! However, here are some of the things you can do with the STORM? that you can't do with other top off modules:
1. Adjust the duration of top off cycles in 1-second increments
2. Control a peripheral device like a small pump, powerhead, heater, etc.
3. Automatically replenish your top off supply
4. Easily set minimum and maximum water levels, using only one sensor
5. Manually turn on your top off pump with the simple press of a button
6. Automatically detect an automatic water change system and suspend operation when water is intentionally removed for water changes
7. Place your Level Sensors exactly where you want them with infinite height adjustability, even in a deep bin, using our unique Level Sensor Hangers
8. Protect your Level Sensors from erroneous triggering due to water turbulence or critters
The list goes on, but as you can see the STORM? is in a league of its own with respect to what it can do. It's also the most robust automatic top off module available, due to numerous layers of redundancy and the highest quality components, including our level sensors.
The STORM? Basic comes with two of these high quality Level Sensors for the sump and the top off bin. The Level Sensor in the sump triggers a top off cycle, and the Level Sensor in the top off bin prevents your pump from running dry. The STORM? also monitors its own operation for added redundancy. In the default mode, if the STORM? performs a top off cycle twice in a row and doesn't detect that the sump level has increased, it will cease top off functions and alert you that there is a problem somewhere - either your pump has seized, the tubing has fallen out of your sump, or your top off bin's water level is too low. An alternate operating mode provides another means of ensuring that your system is performing as expected, using a maximum time function for top off completion. Even more redundancy is added with the STORM? Pro.
The STORM? Pro includes everything that the Basic model includes, but it also adds a ROCv? Replenishment Module, two ROCv? Level Sensors, two more Level Sensor Shrouds, and two Failsafe Level Sensors. The Failsafe Level Sensors are placed above the sump and top off bin Level Sensors and monitor for water levels that are too high. Any time they detect that water is at that level, the STORM? will suspend top off operation or turn the ROCv? off to stop reverse osmosis water production, depending on which water level is too high.
So what is this ROCv? that keeps getting mentioned? The ROCv? allows water to flow to or from a reverse osmosis filter that feeds your top off bin. It must be used with a STORM? since it borrows the STORM's "brain." The ROCv? automatically turns on when the STORM? detects that the water level in the top off bin is getting low, and when the bin is full it is turns off. Redundancy is key here as well: your reverse osmosis filter is hooked up to an endless supply of water! The first layer of redundancy is the ROCv? itself. If a power outage occurs, the ROCv? automatically stops the flow of water through your RO filter. Second, the ROCv? Max Level Sensor lets the STORM? know when to turn the ROCv? off. Third, the recommended float valve will stop the flow of water into your top off bin if it should get too high, and finally, the Failsafe Level Sensor on your top off bin will signal the STORM? to turn off the ROCv? should the other Level Sensor and float valve fail. There's virtually no way you're going to have a flood with the STORM? Specialized Top Off & Replenishment Module!
Min to Max Setup Mode. In default operating mode, the STORM's top off duration can be manually adjusted to turn the top off pump on for anywhere between 5 and 99 seconds. In this manner you can decide whether to add a little water - just enough to raise the water level in your small sump or aquarium a tiny bit - or quite a bit of water for a sump with a larger volume and surface area. Adjusting the duration to add just the right amount of water can be a little hit-or-miss when done manually the first time, so we added the Min-to-Max Setup Mode to take the guesswork out. Simply enter the Min-to-Max Setup Mode, go off to tend to your other business for a while, come back, and manually top off to the desired maximum level. The STORM? will automatically store the duration needed to achieve this level and will then use that duration on subsequent top off cycles, thereby adding approximately the same amount of water each time. This is particularly useful on large sumps such as those in retail stores or wholesale facilities.
One final thing to cover - the STORM's interaction with the RENEW? Automatic Water Change System. The STORM? is the only top off system that can work with an automatic water change system such as the Genesis RENEW?. The STORM? communicates with the RENEW? and recognizes when the RENEW? is removing water from the sump or aquarium for a water change. When water has been removed by the RENEW?, the STORM? will not attempt to replace the water with fresh water. You can imagine what would happen with an ordinary top off system: it would treat the water removed as though it had evaporated, and add the same amount of fresh water, lowering salinity. Then, as replacement saltwater was introduced into the aquarium, the water level would rise. After a few repeat cycles like this, you're headed for a flood! Well, no need to worry with the STORM? and RENEW? combination - they work together seamlessly to provide you with unsurpassed automated water handling.
I've tried to cover as much as I could, but please feel free to ask questions for more details. I look forward to hearing from you!
Kevin
