peristaltic pump for auto water changes

[agame2021]

Alright so I’m done with pushing around 33 gallon brute trash cans and want to upgrade to a auto water change. (That and the brute trash can wheels are leaving marks in my linoleum floors and I need help getting them over the 4” doorway lip…)

peristaltic pumps are primarily used for dosing but I have seen people from BRS use the Neptune duos to do water changes all over their facility. But I don’t have money to use all their products and don’t know if I want to deal with learning their systems rn.
I am using Amazon Alexa power strips to control my tank thru voice commands and it’s been awesome! No bending down and finding the right plug in my mess of cords. Everything is assigned and all I need to do next is build a control box to lay it all out nicely.

my question is, is there a peristaltic pump I can use that can travel about 8 ft critically and up to 30 ft horizontally that will do about 2 gallons a day and not be crazy trying to dial in to match input to output? I just don’t want to struggle with a pump that is complex to program. (I’m not the smartest when it comes to tech)

I’m thinking of putting a 100 gallon bucket/system out the back door. Then run the line thru to the tank and then run the output line down a drain. Would love to hear pros and cons plus your ideas to make this better!

 

[Stigigemla]

The usual dosing pumps with a silicone hose last about 600 liter or 150 gallon.
If it has a yellow Santoprene hose or a black neoprene it probably lasts 5 times longer.
If You are going to use a dosing pump a bigger model with thicker hose will last longer.
But it costs.

 

[homer1475]

I know the DOS works, but requires an apex to function. Might want to look into the versa line from ecotech.

Or for more bang for your buck, and since your already using smart plugs....

The bulk reef supply 50ml dosing pump is designed just for AWC.

I used these for a few years with simple plug in timers.

BRS Top Off Doser - 50 mL per minute

Ideal for auto top off applications. Our peristaltic pump has a slow, predictable 50 mL per minute flow rate which ensures gradual and subtle changes to water chemistry. Precision two roller design extends pump life and will not back siphon. 24-month warranty offered by Bulk Reef Supply...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Reefahholic]

my question is, is there a peristaltic pump I can use that can travel about 8 ft critically and up to 30 ft horizontally that will do about 2 gallons a day and not be crazy trying to dial in to match input to output?

A Kamoer will not do it. I recently tried to run my Calcium Reactor with the Kamoer up about 3’ above it max…and it wouldn’t pull the water through the reactor. Pushing may be different, but I wouldn’t think it would ever be able to do 8’ vertically.

You might look into the Versa. Not sure what the head height is. However, I think the DOS might be your best bet for vertical height and water change’s. It’s a big pump with much larger diameter tubing than most other pumps on the market. It is a great water change pump. You could do many more gallons in much less time, but like you said it requires the Apex to run.

 

[biecacka]

A Kamoer will not do it. I recently tried to run my Calcium Reactor with the Kamoer up about 3’ above it max…and it wouldn’t pull the water through the reactor. Pushing may be different, but I wouldn’t think it would ever be able to do 8’ vertically.

You might look into the Versa. Not sure what the head height is. However, I think the DOS might be your best bet for vertical height and water change’s. It’s a big pump with much larger diameter tubing than most other pumps on the market. It is a great water change pump. You could do many more gallons in much less time, but like you said it requires the Apex to run.

What did you end up using instead of the kamoer? That is very interesting.


corey

 

[agame2021]

Well looks like I got some playing to do with this idea. Thanks all! I’m going to keep this one updated especially on the tests I run once I pick a pump. Might see if I can get it to work with another brand but if worse comes to worse then I guess I will just need to change my plan and get a little bit of apex gear.

 

[Reefahholic]

What did you end up using instead of the kamoer? That is very interesting.


corey

I still have it. I installed a lower shelf and it started to pull. There was a lot of trouble shooting with this reactor that I should probably cover in a video, but one of the last things that I tried after fixing 2-3 other issues was to put the pump on top of the reactor or on the floor to see if it would pull. Sure enough…problem solved.

Originally it was up higher:

 

[Gtinnel]

My AWC is setup with an old masterflex pump. The new masterflex pumps are very expensive but sometimes you can find deals on old ones. Mine pumps water up 8' and then about 30' horizontally, and I have no doubt it could handle much long distances.

The bad part is that the dosing heads (at least the ones I use) are not very adjustable and since they're running off of one pump motor it's almost impossible to match the flow rate of the two heads, I compensate by slightly adjusting the salinity of the new salt water I'm adding to the tank. It is also loud...very loud, so mine is in my utility room where my mixing station is. There is no chance you would want it running in a room where you spend any time. Both of those problems may be resolved on newer models but again it can be very expensive for newer ones.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

20+ years litermeter 3, bet it will still be good 20+ from now.
none of those little plastic dosers are going to hold up long term if you are moving gallons a day or stay quiet for long. (mine do 4 gallons each a day ) get a litermeter, or a masterflex, cole parmer etc continuous grade pump with a decent ml/min output

 

[N-A-S-O]

20+ years litermeter 3, bet it will still be good 20+ from now.
none of those little plastic dosers are going to hold up long term if you are moving gallons a day or stay quiet for long. (mine do 4 gallons each a day ) get a litermeter, or a masterflex, cole parmer etc continuous grade pump with a decent ml/min output

YoYoYoReefer can you explain your awc with the literature. Maybe a pic.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

its very simple, pump #1 saltwater reservoir to pump to tank piped with RO/DI tubing. Pump #2 Tank to second pump piped to drain with ro/di tubing..
Both pumps calibrated and set for 16 liters daily so they slowly and fresh saltwater and subtact the same amout of used saltwater.

works with any 2 continous duty peristaltic pumps that can be calibrated to the same output.

i run a normal ato on the tank for the 3rd litermeter pump off their controller as it works 3 pumps , the newer litermeter 4 can work up to 4 pumps.

 

[Midrats]

I second the Spectrapure Litermeter. I've been using them since the Nineties, very reliable.

 

[Dburr1014]

I still have it. I installed a lower shelf and it started to pull. There was a lot of trouble shooting with this reactor that I should probably cover in a video, but one of the last things that I tried after fixing 2-3 other issues was to put the pump on top of the reactor or on the floor to see if it would pull. Sure enough…problem solved.

Originally it was up higher:

That's odd, I have the kamoer, that pump. It's about 3' up and it pulled just fine. Still working after almost 3 years.

 

[Reefahholic]

That's odd, I have the kamoer, that pump. It's about 3' up and it pulled just fine. Still working after almost 3 years.

Do you have a picture of your reactor setup and media used?

 

[Dburr1014]

I can get one, not as pretty as yours.
Well, I have a hard time with space I guess. It's closer than I thought.

 

[Tdoan]

Alright so I’m done with pushing around 33 gallon brute trash cans and want to upgrade to a auto water change. (That and the brute trash can wheels are leaving marks in my linoleum floors and I need help getting them over the 4” doorway lip…)

peristaltic pumps are primarily used for dosing but I have seen people from BRS use the Neptune duos to do water changes all over their facility. But I don’t have money to use all their products and don’t know if I want to deal with learning their systems rn.
I am using Amazon Alexa power strips to control my tank thru voice commands and it’s been awesome! No bending down and finding the right plug in my mess of cords. Everything is assigned and all I need to do next is build a control box to lay it all out nicely.

my question is, is there a peristaltic pump I can use that can travel about 8 ft critically and up to 30 ft horizontally that will do about 2 gallons a day and not be crazy trying to dial in to match input to output? I just don’t want to struggle with a pump that is complex to program. (I’m not the smartest when it comes to tech)

I’m thinking of putting a 100 gallon bucket/system out the back door. Then run the line thru to the tank and then run the output line down a drain. Would love to hear pros and cons plus your ideas to make this better!

I currently run a DOS on my apex, I have been running it for 2 years and I love it. I added a 120 gallon frag tank and didn't want to spend the money to buy another DOS.
I am in the process of adding 2 Kamoer pumps shown in the picture for a auto water change (just bought them). They are 10 watts each so I will be able to connect to the EB832 24v output. it is rated for 30 watts.
The pumps are rated for 560ml/min, so it could easily change out a gallon with in 7 minutes.
you could connect them to a 120v relay with your Alexa power strips or just a simple on switch you manually turned on or off.
You would need a24v power supply to supply power to the pumps, running through a relay turned on by you or Alexa.

 

[Tdoan]

This would power the pumps and could use your Alexa power strips.

the parts are on Amazon.

 

[Pistondog]

Been using 2 versas for a year for 1 gallons awc each day. Fresh sw Pushes up from the basement, 10 feet or so. Easy to calibrate speed. Nice and quiet, vs DOS.
I run at constant speed, 4 times per day for an hour each, timer controlled, which happens to be apex.

 

[Tdoan]

Been using 2 versas for a year for 1 gallons awc each day. Fresh sw Pushes up from the basement, 10 feet or so. Easy to calibrate speed. Nice and quiet, vs DOS.
I run at constant speed, 4 times per day for an hour each, timer controlled, which happens to be apex.

I am just going to try a cheaper option, this will cost about $150 for 2 pumps. Apex controlled with a timer.
I have the Apex DOS and haven’t had any issues and like the options and monitoring. The sound doesn’t bother me because it is in my basement and pumps upstairs.

 

[Vyper]

Auto water changes are a game changer. You will never go back!