Dosing Pump with a calcium reactor?

tcinaustin · 08/02/2009, 03:06 PM

Does anybody use a dosing pump to control the effluent from your calcium reactor? I am tired of the valves that keep clogging and need to be adjusted daily. I have tried expensive ones and cheap ones, both clog in a matter of days.

I was thinking of buying a Litermeter 3 to dose from my Geo 624 calcium reactor.

What is everybody using?

tcinaustin · 08/03/2009, 06:25 AM

Nobody using a dosing pump with a calcium reactor?

RokleM · 08/03/2009, 07:30 AM

Most dosing pumps aren't made to be run constant, and if run that way they have a very short life. That's why you're not seeing a lot of feedback.

I'd suggest fixing/working around the clogging issue instead. What's your effluent rate? Low pressure on the feed side, too much debris or melted media, very flow effluent rate... all these things can cause it to clog.

tcinaustin · 08/03/2009, 08:17 AM

I have been trying to get 50ml per minute out of it but whenever I come back a few hours later, the flow has stopped.

I have cleaned the valve, I have tried 3 different valves, all do the same in a week or so.

As far as constant flow with the dosing pump, that is not what I was going to go for, I was thinking dosing every 5 or 10 minutes, maybe even every 30 minutes. Is this still too much for a Litermeter 3? I was going to call spectrapure this morning to see what they think, also I am worried about the pressure out of the reactor, is this going to push through the dosing pump without it running.

Thanks for the help.

Doahh · 08/03/2009, 09:45 AM

Find a Masterflex Peristaltic Pump on ebay.
Quite a few people use these to PULL water through the reactor. Most high quality dosing pumps can actually be run 24/7 and not need tubing replaced that often.

tcinaustin · 08/03/2009, 09:59 AM

I just got off the phone with Spectrapure to see what their thoughts were. They have not had anyone try this to their knowledge; they would like someone to try it. I am not sure I want to spend $400 to try it.

They said the possible issues are the pressure on the inbound to the pump; it would probably need a fitting since the pump is designed to pull liquids not release liquids under pressure. They felt the pump would hold up to the usage without a problem.

Now I have no idea what to do. Anybody have a suggestion on a different needle valve that has worked for them over time?

SpectraPure · 08/04/2009, 01:03 PM

Maybe I'm not understanding what it really is you want to do.
Why not use the pump to pull water from the sump and send it into the reactor, with an optional adjustment valve on the output of the pump to control the flow?

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

Doahh · 08/05/2009, 10:21 PM

because than you can meter the rate of the liquid coming out of the reactor precisely... right?

tcinaustin · 08/06/2009, 05:02 AM

My plan was to use the Litermeter control the flow out of the reactor not in. I have a pump to push water into the reactor and a second pump to circulate water within the reactor but the output valve for the effluent constantly clogs. I was hoping to push out 50ml per minute or some factor of this out of the reactor rather than relying on a needle or pinch valve on the back end.

Scott, maybe I am still not understanding your point.

Faisal1976us · 08/06/2009, 05:30 AM

I use aqua medic dosing pump with my calcium reactor , its perfect

108reefer · 08/06/2009, 05:40 AM

just a thought getting back to RookiM - what is your ph value inside the reactor? below 6.3 or so, you are melting media = clogged valve. also, check out us plastics for one of their gate valves.

RokleM · 08/06/2009, 06:38 AM

These:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...oduct_id=15616

08/02/2009, 03:06 PM	#1
tcinaustin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 59	Dosing Pump with a calcium reactor? Does anybody use a dosing pump to control the effluent from your calcium reactor? I am tired of the valves that keep clogging and need to be adjusted daily. I have tried expensive ones and cheap ones, both clog in a matter of days. I was thinking of buying a Litermeter 3 to dose from my Geo 624 calcium reactor. What is everybody using?

08/03/2009, 07:30 AM	#3
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Most dosing pumps aren't made to be run constant, and if run that way they have a very short life. That's why you're not seeing a lot of feedback. I'd suggest fixing/working around the clogging issue instead. What's your effluent rate? Low pressure on the feed side, too much debris or melted media, very flow effluent rate... all these things can cause it to clog. __________________ -Eric-

08/03/2009, 09:45 AM	#5
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	Find a Masterflex Peristaltic Pump on ebay. Quite a few people use these to PULL water through the reactor. Most high quality dosing pumps can actually be run 24/7 and not need tubing replaced that often. __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

08/04/2009, 01:03 PM	#7
SpectraPure RC Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 0	Maybe I'm not understanding what it really is you want to do. Why not use the pump to pull water from the sump and send it into the reactor, with an optional adjustment valve on the output of the pump to control the flow? Scott SpectraPure, Inc. __________________ *Innovators in water technology.* Since 1985!

08/05/2009, 10:21 PM	#8
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	because than you can meter the rate of the liquid coming out of the reactor precisely... right? __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

08/03/2009, 06:25 AM	#2
tcinaustin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 59	Nobody using a dosing pump with a calcium reactor?

08/03/2009, 08:17 AM	#4
tcinaustin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 59	I have been trying to get 50ml per minute out of it but whenever I come back a few hours later, the flow has stopped. I have cleaned the valve, I have tried 3 different valves, all do the same in a week or so. As far as constant flow with the dosing pump, that is not what I was going to go for, I was thinking dosing every 5 or 10 minutes, maybe even every 30 minutes. Is this still too much for a Litermeter 3? I was going to call spectrapure this morning to see what they think, also I am worried about the pressure out of the reactor, is this going to push through the dosing pump without it running. Thanks for the help.

08/03/2009, 09:59 AM	#6
tcinaustin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 59	I just got off the phone with Spectrapure to see what their thoughts were. They have not had anyone try this to their knowledge; they would like someone to try it. I am not sure I want to spend $400 to try it. They said the possible issues are the pressure on the inbound to the pump; it would probably need a fitting since the pump is designed to pull liquids not release liquids under pressure. They felt the pump would hold up to the usage without a problem. Now I have no idea what to do. Anybody have a suggestion on a different needle valve that has worked for them over time?

08/06/2009, 05:02 AM	#9
tcinaustin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 59	My plan was to use the Litermeter control the flow out of the reactor not in. I have a pump to push water into the reactor and a second pump to circulate water within the reactor but the output valve for the effluent constantly clogs. I was hoping to push out 50ml per minute or some factor of this out of the reactor rather than relying on a needle or pinch valve on the back end. Scott, maybe I am still not understanding your point.

08/06/2009, 05:30 AM	#10
Faisal1976us Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,076	I use aqua medic dosing pump with my calcium reactor , its perfect

08/06/2009, 05:40 AM	#11
108reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: naples Posts: 355	just a thought getting back to RookiM - what is your ph value inside the reactor? below 6.3 or so, you are melting media = clogged valve. also, check out us plastics for one of their gate valves. __________________ Matt the reefer Current Tank Info: Currently tankless.... Med school - need I say more...

08/06/2009, 06:38 AM	#12
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	These: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...oduct_id=15616 __________________ -Eric-