Peristaltic Dosing Pump For Calcium Reactor

[Lance A. Lot]

For those of you who run a calcium reactor fed by a Peristaltic Dosing Pump: What do you have, do you like it, and why?
I am tired of constantly turning my needle valve up to try to keep a consistent effluent rate through my CaRx. It seems to hold the same rate for maybe 24-48 hours before needing an adjustment. The feed for the CaRx is coming off the effluent side of the return pump because this was the best option at the time. I would like to create a more consistent system and I think a dosing pump would be the answer. If anyone has time to show pictures of the plumbing to the pump and CaRx that would be helpful to me as well.

 

[Lance A. Lot]

A little more information about this system. This is for a 1600gl system that has a goal of being mostly SPS. I try to keep the effluent rate close to 100ml/min when I make my adjustments. This probably averages me around 60-75ml/min if we were looking at how it runs during the week. I think in the long term I will need a pump that can do 120 ml/min or more. The tank is not even half full of coral and so I assume the demand will eventually more than double.

 

[smoothdog]

I am using a kamoer fx pump right now but it only goes up to 120ml/min and has gotten loud. I have an ecotech one on standby but I'm not sure that would keep up with your need either. I'd look out for a medical grade pump or double up on hobby grade pumps and T off the line and run each at half needed total flow rate.

 

[smoothdog]

Once demand gets high enough, you'll probably be able to run the effluent line wide open and regulate ph in the reactor to meet demand

 

[Lance A. Lot]

What do you think of running the small neptune PMUP and dialing back the flow with a needle valve? Its not my favorite option but I am limited on what I can get based on approved suppliers.

 

[smoothdog]

Valves always clog in my experience. Might get away with one if you pre-filter the valve, but then that's another maintenance step

 

[breutus]

I’ve been just about to pull the trigger on my calc reactor pump. Only debating between two with a ton of research. It’s either the Kamoer FX-STP or is find a used masterflex on eBay. Even used they are twice the money but everyone I talk to says it’s a drastically better pump. Honestly in that big of a system you may have to look at one of the larger masterflex or have two kamoer running it. But man the prices on those MF are ridiculous…

I have debated doing a needle valve with a couple of prestaged filters but even with that I haven’t found many people that are not constantly tinkering their flow rate…

 

[Ultraman]

I run mine open with ph of 6.8 and it stays consistent. I do think the peristaltic pumps are a good investment if not needing high flow rates.