peristaltic pump that can run dry

BuckeyeTodd · 08/11/2010, 08:57 PM

Aqualifter fails after everytime I fail to refill reservoir and let it run dry(about once every three months). If I buy a better doser could they handle this abuse. Anybody have one that can survive running dry for a few hours every few months

eb8919 · 08/11/2010, 09:06 PM

I bought one a year ago when i started my tank for top off. I got a medical grade digital (big ugly thing) off ebay. You can set the drip rate up to 300ml/h. I have mine set at 225. It has taken some serious abuse and still runs strong. I fill my reservoir up with kalk to so it gets gunked up and keeps on chugging. When I forget to refill the reservoir it runs dry without any issues (yet).

BuckeyeTodd · 08/11/2010, 09:15 PM

I don't care what it looks like, just how it works. Mine delivers Kalk to my 150. Is that readily available or is that a ebay find. I don't mind spending 100-150 to get something reliable that can keep on trucking if I occasionally slack

eb8919 · 08/11/2010, 09:21 PM

Ya i don't care what it looks like either...aslong as its a hard worker

. I recall there being several of these (or similar) readily available and it was certainly cheaper than 100. Go through categories on ebay and search through medical pumps.

BuckeyeTodd · 08/11/2010, 10:50 PM

Just did the math and looks like I'd need 350-400 ml per hour, so that takes a bunch of options away

VacavilleFC3S · 08/11/2010, 11:48 PM

you know you can buy a new diaphram for aqualifters for $2.50 right???

Maivortex · 08/11/2010, 11:54 PM

All p-pumps can run dry

Cozmo4 · 08/12/2010, 04:11 AM

The Litermeter III can run dry without issue.

BuckeyeTodd · 08/12/2010, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VacavilleFC3S

you know you can buy a new diaphram for aqualifters for $2.50 right???

No I didn't know that...had asked on a different thread and didn't get that answer.

Peristaltic pumps can run dry, awesome. So I now have multiple options....thank all of you for responding!

JeF4y · 08/12/2010, 07:43 AM

Wow... I've run my Aqua Lifter dry for up to 8 hours multiple times before it finally "slowed down" to the point that I needed to replace it.

A peristaltic pump should be able to run dry. It doesn't rely on the liquid for cooling or resistance.

However, make sure you get one big enough that you don't have to run it continuously (or make sure you buy one rated for continuous duty). IIRC most of them recommend a break after 2 hours (unles you drop the coin for a continuous duty)...

DustinB · 08/12/2010, 08:42 AM

Umm, doesn't it say on the box that the aqualifter can be used as an air pump too?

These things are really failing when pumping air?

scottwhitson · 08/12/2010, 02:50 PM

I run ours dry about every day with the one that is my top off. They usually last around three years before I need a new one.

Paco · 08/12/2010, 02:57 PM

+1 on the Litermeter.

jgrog76 · 08/12/2010, 04:41 PM

Kalk probably precipated in the flapper valves and it causing it not to pump. You can open it and set the pumping mechanism in vinegar for a few minutes it will probaly start pumping again. Once it does run vinegar through it for a few minutes and it will most likely pump like new again. Unless it is leaking water the diaphrams are fine.

08/11/2010, 08:57 PM	#1
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	peristaltic pump that can run dry Aqualifter fails after everytime I fail to refill reservoir and let it run dry(about once every three months). If I buy a better doser could they handle this abuse. Anybody have one that can survive running dry for a few hours every few months

08/11/2010, 09:06 PM	#2
eb8919 Reefaholic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 542	I bought one a year ago when i started my tank for top off. I got a medical grade digital (big ugly thing) off ebay. You can set the drip rate up to 300ml/h. I have mine set at 225. It has taken some serious abuse and still runs strong. I fill my reservoir up with kalk to so it gets gunked up and keeps on chugging. When I forget to refill the reservoir it runs dry without any issues (yet). __________________ A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. -A. Einstein

08/11/2010, 09:21 PM	#4
eb8919 Reefaholic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 542	Ya i don't care what it looks like either...aslong as its a hard worker . I recall there being several of these (or similar) readily available and it was certainly cheaper than 100. Go through categories on ebay and search through medical pumps. __________________ A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. -A. Einstein

08/12/2010, 07:43 AM	#10
JeF4y El Conquistidor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,057	Wow... I've run my Aqua Lifter dry for up to 8 hours multiple times before it finally "slowed down" to the point that I needed to replace it. A peristaltic pump should be able to run dry. It doesn't rely on the liquid for cooling or resistance. However, make sure you get one big enough that you don't have to run it continuously (or make sure you buy one rated for continuous duty). IIRC most of them recommend a break after 2 hours (unles you drop the coin for a continuous duty)... __________________ I've made a small fortune in Reefing! I just started out with a large fortune and the rest came easily. Want a Cleaner Wrasse? Consider a shower! ;-) Current Tank Info: 60 Cube!

08/12/2010, 02:57 PM	#13
Paco Move Don Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,210	+1 on the Litermeter. __________________ Fish are nitrate factories. Remove them and watch your nitrates come down. Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

08/11/2010, 09:15 PM	#3
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	I don't care what it looks like, just how it works. Mine delivers Kalk to my 150. Is that readily available or is that a ebay find. I don't mind spending 100-150 to get something reliable that can keep on trucking if I occasionally slack

08/11/2010, 10:50 PM	#5
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	Just did the math and looks like I'd need 350-400 ml per hour, so that takes a bunch of options away

08/11/2010, 11:48 PM	#6
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	you know you can buy a new diaphram for aqualifters for $2.50 right???

08/11/2010, 11:54 PM	#7
Maivortex Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PARADISE, us Posts: 666 Blog Entries: 1	All p-pumps can run dry

08/12/2010, 04:11 AM	#8
Cozmo4 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 583	The Litermeter III can run dry without issue.

08/12/2010, 08:42 AM	#11
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	Umm, doesn't it say on the box that the aqualifter can be used as an air pump too? These things are really failing when pumping air?

08/12/2010, 02:50 PM	#12
scottwhitson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 1,395	I run ours dry about every day with the one that is my top off. They usually last around three years before I need a new one.

08/12/2010, 04:41 PM	#14
jgrog76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 430	Kalk probably precipated in the flapper valves and it causing it not to pump. You can open it and set the pumping mechanism in vinegar for a few minutes it will probaly start pumping again. Once it does run vinegar through it for a few minutes and it will most likely pump like new again. Unless it is leaking water the diaphrams are fine.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Controlling flow of Nitrate Reducer by peristaltic pump	ParisH	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	9	08/17/2010 10:49 PM
peristaltic pumps running a calcium reactor?	tcoral	Marine Aquarists Roundtable of Sacramento (MARS)	26	05/16/2010 10:22 AM
Anyone else run a peristaltic pump for their calcium reactor?	stugray	Do It Yourself	9	09/14/2008 10:22 AM
Tunze Osmolator: float switch wired to the pump to prevent run dry?	Kaos	Do It Yourself	3	10/21/2007 10:06 PM