Higher volume peristaltic dosing pump for ATO?

[Ocelaris]

So I've got my water changing and RO/DI station in another room in the basement and about a 30' run to the tank with 1/4" polyethylene tubing. I've inherited 2x BRS 1.1 mL/Minute peristaltic dosing pumps, however I calculated that it will take almost 2.39 days to put a gallon of water into the display tank (assuming there is no issue with back pressure to lower the 1.1ml/minute rate). I imagine the pumps also are not meant to be running 24x7. The pump is basically putting out a drop a second when I look at the sump, which may not even be able to keep up with evaporation.

Can someone recommend a peristaltic pump that can do higher flow rates just for that purpose? Preferably not too pricey and without intelligence, I have it controlled with my apex and float switches, so really just need the pump piece.

Thanks

 

[jason2459]

Spectrapure standalone peristaltic pumps are great. around 250ml/m I highly recommend this one.

I've had very bad experiences with the BRS 50ml/m pump for ATO. Great experience with their 1.1ml/m one but not for ATO use.

Avast has a 25ml/m peristaltic pump

Avast also has a diaphram pump that's pretty cheap that handles higher head pressures and does a great 400ml/m

 

[Ocelaris]

Great thanks, I've heard great things about the spectrapure products over the years (and it's been many many years). 50mL/m will get me a gallon in about 75 minutes, way more than I need, and rebuild kits are nice to have. Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

 

[jason2459]

I had 3 BRS 50ml/m peristaltic pumps go out in 2 years. All the same way with the plastic gears stripping. I looked around and found many others having the same issue. The opposite side of the spectrum I've been running the BRS 1.1ml/m pump for around 7 years now with 0 issue. I'd look to see if that avast diaphragm pump can do what you need. It's a pretty budget friendly option.

 

[TheHarold]

I would just use an AC pump for ATO; you don't need it to be peristaltic IMO. As long as you have a float switch set up almost any pump will work. I have a Tunze ATO pump that works great

 

[jason2459]

I would just use an AC pump for ATO; you don't need it to be peristaltic IMO. As long as you have a float switch set up almost any pump will work. I have a Tunze ATO pump that works great

Head height will be an issue coming from the basement. Also, if it wasn't there can be an issue of a pump with to fast a flow rate is if the outlet gets stuck on. It will pump out all the water much faster well before you could catch it. The tunze ato pump is a different story as it's gph is low and made specifically for ATO but would not work with his head height. Peristaltic and diaphragm pumps also have the benefit that they can run dry if the ATO container empties before you have a chance to fill it.

I like to have many failsafes and a slower pump that can run dry is my preference. I also, along with many other programming failsafes, only allow the pump to run for no more then 5 minutes at a time.

 

[TheHarold]

Head height will be an issue coming from the basement. Also, if it wasn't there can be an issue of a pump with to fast a flow rate is if the outlet gets stuck on. It will pump out all the water much faster well before you could catch it. The tunze ato pump is a different story as it's gph is low and made specifically for ATO but would not work with his head height. Peristaltic and diaphragm pumps also have the benefit that they can run dry if the ATO container empties before you have a chance to fill it.

I like to have many failsafes and a slower pump that can run dry is my preference. I also, along with many other programming failsafes, only allow the pump to run for no more then 5 minutes at a time.

All very good points, thanks.

 

[Ocelaris]

Net height is actually zero (same floor), but the pressure squeezing water through 1/4" tubing almost 30 feet has to add to the pressure tremendously. I ordered the Avast Marine Diaphragm pump just because it fits the bill price wise at the moment and 400mL/Min is an attractive volume for an ATO pump. When I get to the point where I'm dosing kalk or 2-part from remote I'll invest in a nicer peristaltic pump, but I was counting on the existing pumps not even thinking about volume. But realistically dosing caustic mixes over 30 feet away for such a small amount and infrequent times isn't something I'm looking forward to. I'll probably do under sump dosing when the time comes for kalk etc... Right now calcium/Alkalinity needs are next to nothing with it being a new tank.

 

[805reef]

I go from my garage up about 6 feet then over about 15 feet then down 12 feet or so... I originally had the avast marine diaphragm but it would create a siphon and continue letting water through because the tubing ran above the pump and the sump was below the level of the pump. I ended up exchanging it for an avast peristaltic. It works well but is kind of slow. It has run dry for several hours though without any issues and it can pump water high.

 

[jason2459]

Siphon break and one way valve works but the peristaltic pump helps.

Note, if your peristaltic pump only has two rollers it is likely at some point to not be anti-siphon. FYI

 

[805reef]

Siphon break and one way valve works but the peristaltic pump helps.

Note, if your peristaltic pump only has two rollers it is likely at some point to not be anti-siphon. FYI

The siphon break would have had to go up into the attic area... I didn't want to do that. Also not a fan of check valves as those can fail also. As for the 2 roller things... I have no idea how many it has Thank you for making me aware of that though. Looks like I need to put a high level float switch in my sump

 

[mcarroll]

For ATO, a cheap AC pump with an ordinary horizontal intake shouldn't run dry enough to hurt anything in the short term.

In something like 8 years I've been through one Rio and the current Eco+. I think if I started with the Eco+ it may have stayed one pump.

They can only drain the reservoir so far, then they just make splasing/rattling noises until you wake up and do a refill.

To me, that's just a good refill alert - not a reason to worry about your pump.

5-6 years and counting on the current pump.

 

[mcarroll]

If I were topping off 30' away, I'd at least upgrade to 3/8" tube....or even 1/2" so the pump's native connectors work.

I currently use a 1/2" to airline adapter, but I only pump about 2 feet - I'm curious now what flow would be like after 30' of airline.

 

[jason2459]

For the peristaltic pump 30' of airline wouldn't do anything noticable. However I would use RODI/icemaker tubing. More rigid and less likely to be pinched.

 

[Ocelaris]

I was under the impression these peristaltic and diaphragm pumps were all 1/4" tubing, no?

Wet rotor pumps aren't really made for pressure and aren't the right pump for this application. I have a 3/4" line between the tank and my water changing station that I can fill and drain 30 gallons in about 5-10 minutes, but for ATO we don't need that speed and I'd rather have less water stagnating in a line between the tank and top off container. I'm only going up about a foot over all, so it shouldn't be an issue with the siphon break and check valve.

 

[jason2459]

I was under the impression these peristaltic and diaphragm pumps were all 1/4" tubing, no?

....

Yes

 

[ThaBeast]

The siphon break would have had to go up into the attic area... I didn't want to do that. Also not a fan of check valves as those can fail also. As for the 2 roller things... I have no idea how many it has Thank you for making me aware of that though. Looks like I need to put a high level float switch in my sump

My avast peristaltic pump recently developed a siphon. Put another brand on, will try a spectra pure on the new build

 

[jason2459]

Yep, I just checked my avast 25ml/m peristaltic pump and it has two rollers. It has the potential as just posted to allow a siphon through.

I think this is the older model but doubt the newer model has more

 

[adhd_nerd]

Stenner Pumps

 

[jason2459]

Stenner Pumps

Lol yeah but loud. I have a couple

Colson Palmer too