Reef safe peristatic pump lube

[Cory]

I first question what tubing you are using on your pumps that they get ripped up in a month. Tubing for peristaltic pumps is a specialized silicone based tubing. You can't just use any old latex or rubber tubing. I've also never lubed my tubing on my pumps. But if I had to, I'd use a NON-PETROLEUM based lubricant....such as Plumber's Grease found at your local HD or hardware store. Just make sure it's non- petroleum based. I personally use Leslie's Pool and Spa Lube....it's the least expensive for a life-time supply. Been using it for over 20 years on both freshwater and saltwater rubber parts (and my pool).

Yeah the tubing i use isnt inteded for it.

The one it came with was a specialized tube and it lasted only like a month. It was lubed too. Just bad luck maybe

 

[redfishbluefish]

You need to use the tubing made for that pump. The other critical factor with peristaltic pumps is the wall thickness on the tubing.....and it being matched to the distance between the rollers and the pump casing. If the tubing wall is too thin, you get backflow and leaking. If too thick, you'll eat up that tubing pretty fast and potentially damage the pump. There are other factors as well, such as flexibility and durability to consider. It's more expensive, but please use the manufacturer's suggested tubing for your pump.

So instead of buying lube, buy the right tubing!

 

[Cory]

You need to use the tubing made for that pump. The other critical factor with peristaltic pumps is the wall thickness on the tubing.....and it being matched to the distance between the rollers and the pump casing. If the tubing wall is too thin, you get backflow and leaking. If too thick, you'll eat up that tubing pretty fast and potentially damage the pump. It's more expensive, but please use the manufacturer's suggested tubing for your pump.

Good info thanks. Ill order some of the proper ones here:

http://www.avastmarine.com/products/peristaltic-tubing-replacement

 

[redfishbluefish]

@Cory, just wanted to let you know what I found out.......I was on the BRS site and thought I'd look up replacement tubing for my pumps....and darn, mine are $13 a pop for my pump....and I need two. Anyway, they had black peristaltic tubing, similar to what you showed, and also sold Doser Tube Lubricant for that tubing as well. So thank you, I learned something tonight.....lubricant for peristaltic pump tubes!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The product i have shows it in the msds i posted no?

https://www.wd40company.com/files/p...water-resistant-silicone-lubricant-us-ghs.pdf

I was thinking of normal WD-40, which they state is a secret. I wouldn't want a lot of solvent getting into the tank, but I'm not sure much will from treating the outside of tubing. So it may be OK.

 

[Cory]

I was thinking of normal WD-40, which they state is a secret. I wouldn't want a lot of solvent getting into the tank, but I'm not sure much will from treating the outside of tubing. So it may be OK.

What do you mean solvent, like the propane in it or just the whole spray?

 

[tygger]

@Cory, just wanted to let you know what I found out.......I was on the BRS site and thought I'd look up replacement tubing for my pumps....and darn, mine are $13 a pop for my pump....and I need two. Anyway, they had black peristaltic tubing, similar to what you showed, and also sold Doser Tube Lubricant for that tubing as well. So thank you, I learned something tonight.....lubricant for peristaltic pump tubes!

What is the BRS lube made of? Seems expensive, but can't really tell how large that tub is...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is the BRS lube made of? Seems expensive, but can't really tell how large that tub is...

BRS says: "This product is a silicon base lubricant designed specifically for use with tubing in dosing pumps."

 

[tygger]

BRS says: "This product is a silicon base lubricant designed specifically for use with tubing in dosing pumps."

Ah, thanks Randy! Should've checked the Q&A section.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Adamantium]

BRS says: "This product is a silicon base lubricant designed specifically for use with tubing in dosing pumps."

I know this is a really old thread, but what purpose does dosing tube lubricant serve? Keep the tubing from cracking?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I know this is a really old thread, but what purpose does dosing tube lubricant serve? Keep the tubing from cracking?

https://www.proptec.com/assets/documents/manuals/AccuStaltic/Care_and_Maintenance_for_AccuStaltic_Pumps.pdf

"Peristaltic tubing works best when lubricated and every pump is initially lubricated before it leaves our factory. For most commercially available tube types, silicone-based spray lubricants or greases are recommended. Apply liberally to the entire surface of the tubing, inside of the cover, and rollers. If you cannot use silicone due to process limitations, test petroleum or food-grade lubricants for compatibility before use, as they may chemically react with the tubes, causing excessive swelling that decreases the life of the tube and accuracy of the pump.

Operating the pump without lubricated tubes will not damage the pump, but will reduce tubing life and increase the amount of heat generated by the pump."