Flow meters

[srobertb]

I want to install Neptune Flow Meters on my return lines. It’s an AIO so they’ll be fully submerged.

anyone have any luck waterproofing one of these guys or an alternative solution?
I can do a loop above the water line but installing it right after the pump would be easiest.

thanks!

 

[blaxsun]

How large is your AIO?

 

[srobertb]

120g IM NUVO.

I am waiting on some parts and will be running 2, COR-15 pumps so (in theory) I’d be running 2, 1/2 flow meters. I lost my return pump while on vacation and so I want every bit of remote monitoring information I can get.

 

[blaxsun]

120g IM NUVO.

I am waiting on some parts and will be running 2, COR-15 pumps so (in theory) I’d be running 2, 1/2 flow meters. I lost my return pump while on vacation and so I want every bit of remote monitoring information I can get.

Just keep in mind that flow monitors need to be periodically removed for cleaning - so if this is an area that's hard to access it may not be ideal for your setup.

If you're upgrading to COR15s you'll already have some remote monitoring built-in that can alert you to problems, etc.

 

[ZombieEngineer]

These can't be fully submerged.

Trying to waterproof these is super risky because if it's not perfect, you will introduce copper into your tank, destroy the flow sensor, and possibly also damage the FMM in the process.

 

[srobertb]

Just keep in mind that flow monitors need to be periodically removed for cleaning - so if this is an area that's hard to access it may not be ideal for your setup.

If you're upgrading to COR15s you'll already have some remote monitoring built-in that can alert you to problems, etc.

I’m running one Cor_15 and stepping up to 2.

It was actually the EB832 that died- it just said “error:volt” which was super annoying because I had no idea what that meant. It shows RPM’s and temp normally.

I’m now running each pump on its own independent 1link module and each one is connected to the Apex head unit via independent paths. So if I lose power to one, chances are good the other one will be fine.

The pumps are not bad to clean and maintain as installed so if every 6 months I needed to clean the flow sensor too, NBD.

It doesn’t seem like it’s possible to submerge them and running the returns up 6” above the tank and back down again *would* make cleaning the pumps a lot more difficult so I think it’s a pass for me. It would also be ugly.

(I think you chimed in/helped me with the programming post I made about running 2). Thanks for that.

 

[srobertb]

These can't be fully submerged.

Trying to waterproof these is super risky because if it's not perfect, you will introduce copper into your tank, destroy the flow sensor, and possibly also damage the FMM in the process.

Sounds like it can’t be done because I’m sure by now someone smarter than me would have done it.

thanks for chiming in!

 

[blaxsun]

Sounds like it can’t be done because I’m sure by now someone smarter than me would have done it.
thanks for chiming in!

From what others have indicated to me personally, the flow monitors clog up fairly quickly and have a tendency to fail prematurely - so you're probably further ahead anyway. Just keep in mind that each 1LINK module is the failure point for that particular pump (although it should be fairly bulletproof with each separately running a COR15).

 

[srobertb]

From what others have indicated to me personally, the flow monitors clog up fairly quickly and have a tendency to fail prematurely - so you're probably further ahead anyway. Just keep in mind that each 1LINK module is the failure point for that particular pump (although it should be fairly bulletproof with each separately running a COR15).

Neptune and power supply issues. Name a more popular pair….I’ve got 2 EB832’s on my dining room table that both have dead power supplies; one has a dead 24v board and the other the more popular dead 12v board.

One made it 24 mos, the other just over 12. What bums me out is that the 24v issue happened with only 2 ports used.



Even the COR-20’s are notorious for dead power bricks.


I think by using the 1Links and keeping the watts below 75 on each, and having them both take minimal/different USB routes to the head unit, I’m in a good place.

The flow meters are so cheap I figured if I could add them, why not? But it sounds like a bad idea based on advice here.

I will say- I use the 1/4” one for my ATO throughput and it’s never been cleaned. I don’t know how accurate it is but it’s great to be able to look and see my ATO is working (and if it’s running too much, there’s a leak).

 

[blaxsun]

I will say- I use the 1/4” one for my ATO throughput and it’s never been cleaned. I don’t know how accurate it is but it’s great to be able to look and see my ATO is working (and if it’s running too much, there’s a leak).

Your ATO is different - you're getting filtered/non-saltwater through it. With the return pump you'll get salt buildup, detritus and all the other fun crap.

 

[srobertb]

Your ATO is different - you're getting filtered/non-saltwater through it. With the return pump you'll get salt buildup, detritus and all the other fun crap.

For sure. God knows what lives back there in the darkness.