Peristaltic pump for feed calcium reactor

Joao junior · Oct 18, 2017

Hi,
Can i use this pump to feed calcium reactor
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-part-doser-1-1-ml-per-minute.html

Blitzie · Oct 18, 2017

Those are not meant for continuous use

Gablami · Oct 18, 2017

It says under the BRS description that it is meant for intermittent use, not continuous. It will likely fail sooner than you like. There are some that will run a carx intermittently, like with a neptune dos, but I wouldn't recommend the BRS dosing pump for that purpose.

Velcro · Oct 18, 2017

What king of GPH do you need? The avast peristaltic pumps are built like tanks and the6 have a 25ml/min

ca1ore · Oct 18, 2017

Avast pumps aren't really continuous use either. For a CaRx you really need to go with something like a masterflex. Don't need a fancy one either. Got mine off eBay for $150 and it's been churning away for the last 4 years. Awesome addition. Had spent the 16 years before that continuously wrestling with the reactor.

Velcro · Oct 18, 2017

The avast pumps are rated for continuous use.

Velcro · Oct 18, 2017

ca1ore · Oct 18, 2017

Well played .... How about I wouldn't trust it to power my CaRx. I really like the avast stuff, and use both their peri and diaphragm pumps for my ATOs. Have had both fail on me however. Masterflex pumps are built like tanks. I run a serious CaRx that is the heart of my large SPS system. Not worth the risk to me.

I'm an old school, long time reefer and I buy stuff to last a decade - which is why no DC return pumps chez moi. But that's another debate ....

Velcro · Oct 18, 2017

ca1ore said:
Well played .... How about I wouldn't trust it to power my CaRx. I really like the avast stuff, and use both their peri and diaphragm pumps for my ATOs. Have had both fail on me however. Masterflex pumps are built like tanks. I run a serious CaRx that is the heart of my large SPS system. Not worth the risk to me.

I'm an old school, long time reefer and I buy stuff to last a decade - which is why no DC return pumps chez moi. But that's another debate ....

jeremy · Oct 18, 2017

I run a masterflex also. Found one used on the forums. Love it. Money well spent.

ca1ore · Oct 18, 2017

Yes my opinions are mine, though rooted in vast experience LOL. .... though I'd Imagine the reason for the OP was for folks opinion. You've offered yours, me mine.

Blitzie · Oct 19, 2017

I used a variety of feed pumps in the past and I finally bit the bullet and bought a used Masterflex Peristaltic off ebay and its been a beast.
RC had an excellent write up done by somone named tkeracer619 on how to setup and what to use and it worked awesome
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2368618&highlight=masterflex

jda · Oct 19, 2017

If you are on a budget, look for an old Kangaroo 324 or the like. They were the masterflex before the masterflex was - hospital-tough for constant use. They are kinda old, but also pretty cheap anymore if you can find one. I used one for more than a decade with no issues.

Edit - looks like these are less than $50 now on eBay.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f76/diy-dosing-pump-mods-for-kangaroo-feeding-pump-40885.html

Joao junior · Oct 19, 2017

jda said:
If you are on a budget, look for an old Kangaroo 324 or the like. They were the masterflex before the masterflex was - hospi
Thanks guys,i will see other

Joao junior · Oct 19, 2017

Thanks guys,i will see others pump

ca1ore · Oct 19, 2017

Blitzie said:
I used a variety of feed pumps in the past and I finally bit the bullet and bought a used Masterflex Peristaltic off ebay and its been a beast.
RC had an excellent write up done by somone named tkeracer619 on how to setup and what to use and it worked awesome
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2368618&highlight=masterflex

Maybe the best reef tank thread of all time ..... Well, to me at least.

Water Dog · Oct 20, 2017

Velcro said:
The avast pumps are rated for continuous use.

Although rated for continuous use, the Avast pump runs at a fixed speed making it unsuitable for CaRx use. Not only are we looking for continuous duty, but we are looking for variable speed controllability to be able to adjust and precisely dial in the effluent flow rate.

A good alternative to the Masterflex is a Watson Marlow... it is also an industrial grade continuous duty variable speed peristaltic pump. I picked up a Watson Marlow 505s for $250 off of eBay and it runs whisper quiet at the speed ranges suitable for CaRx use. Here is a good discussion of Watson Marlow pumps for CaRx use.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/watson-marlow-peristaltic-pumps-for-calcium-reactors.289356/

LittleMaui · Oct 21, 2017

jda said:
If you are on a budget, look for an old Kangaroo 324 or the like. They were the masterflex before the masterflex was - hospital-tough for constant use. They are kinda old, but also pretty cheap anymore if you can find one. I used one for more than a decade with no issues.

Edit - looks like these are less than $50 now on eBay.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f76/diy-dosing-pump-mods-for-kangaroo-feeding-pump-40885.html

How quiet are the Kangaroo 324? Is it easy to find the tubing/parts needed that probably don't come with a used unit?