Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by tlc

it would be nice if there was a product in America that sold an aquarium peristaltic pump like dastaco in Europe has instead of having to try some pump off ebay.

You can buy these pumps new.
The reason we buy off eBay is because you can get them at a fraction of the price. I haven't seen the dastaco pumps but I have yet to see an aquarium specific pump of the same quality.
And I believe TritonUSA is going to be importing the Dastaco stuff soon.

[tlc]

d2mini thanks for the input. I have read this thread and it is a bit confusing as to what pump to get. this pump with this head and that pump with this tubing. I have read about 50 different combos that should work. I am not a huge diy person. I am also considering the kamoer as well

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by tlc

d2mini thanks for the input. I have read this thread and it is a bit confusing as to what pump to get. this pump with this head and that pump with this tubing. I have read about 50 different combos that should work. I am not a huge diy person. I am also considering the kamoer as well

Not really all that much. I comes down to
Pharmed tubing or comparable. Size L16 or L17
Pump head will accept that size. Preferably easy load, but standard if you desire.
Digital Brushless motor preferable, but any motor that will run 0 to 100 rpm will work. 600 rpm may be preferred (see next post)

There may be other options within each category but those are all personal preferences.

Don't over think it.

[slief]

Originally Posted by hkgar

Not really all that much. I comes down to
Pharmed tubing or comparable. Size L16 or L17
Pump head will accept that size. Preferably easy load, but standard if you desire.
Digital Brushless motor preferable, but any motor that will run 0 to 600 rmp will work.

There may be other options within each category but those are all personal preferences.

Don't over think it.

Just to clarify, any motor that runs 0-100 RPM will work. Especially if it uses LS17 tubing as LS17 tubing results in 50ml/min at 17.7 RPM. 50ml/min is more than enough for most any mid size reef tanks. The key with the higher RPM is that there is less wear and tear (in theory) at lower continuous RPM's on a motor that is capable of higher RPM's such as those that run up to 600 RPM vs a motor capable 100 RPM. Thus the recomendation for a motor with a max of 600 RPM as that is the best case option. As such, just like brushless is preferred but not essential, the same can be said about the RPM. It's not like we will ever need to exceed 100 RPM continuous (Especially with LS117 tubing) let alone 600 RPM.. So the higher the RPM the better as far as theorhetical wear and tear. I'm running one that maxes out at 200 RPM and at 17 RPM, it's barely having to work and runs cold.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by slief

Just to clarify, any motor that runs 0-100 RPM will work. Especially if it uses LS17 tubing as LS17 tubing results in 50ml/min at 17.7 RPM. 50ml/min is more than enough for most any mid size reef tanks. The key with the higher RPM is that there is less wear and tear (in theory) at lower continuous RPM's on a motor that is capable of higher RPM's such as those that run up to 600 RPM vs a motor capable 100 RPM. Thus the recomendation for a motor with a max of 600 RPM as that is the best case option. As such, just like brushless is preferred but not essential, the same can be said about the RPM. It's not like we will ever need to exceed 100 RPM continuous (Especially with LS117 tubing) let alone 600 RPM.. So the higher the RPM the better as far as theorhetical wear and tear. I'm running one that maxes out at 200 RPM and at 17 RPM, it's barely having to work and runs cold.

I changed my post to 100 rpm. Maybe I was thinking that because I run my CP ATO pump at 500 ml/min, but even that is only 176 rpm. If my math is right, 35 rpm with 17 tubing can deliver 100 ml/min.

[slief]

Originally Posted by hkgar

I changed my post to 100 rpm. Maybe I was thinking that because I run my CP ATO pump at 500 ml/min, but even that is only 176 rpm. If my math is right, 35 rpm with 17 tubing can deliver 100 ml/min.

Looks like we are on the same page. That math is correct. 17.7 is about 50 ml/min with LS17 tubing so 35 RPM is about 100 ml/min.

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by d2mini

You can buy these pumps new.

If you have an old worn out CP they will give you a pretty hefty discount on a new one. Usually 25% or more off on a replacement. They are getting scarce on ebay, you really have to be on the gun to get a good one so it's very hard to recommend specific ones right now.

One thing to look out for are the newer brushless models. They are starting to show up at reasonable costs.

[hkgar]

Is a digital drive pump the same as a brushless?

[tkeracer619]

Not in the early models. All of the later models were but some of the earlier digital drives were brushed.

[d2mini]

My AWC and ATO setup.

[janey]

Hi Everyone.. I want to Give a Big SHOUT out too tkeracer619 and alanle whom built my Stainless steel CO2 regulator with exception on the Hoke Brass.

Ok Here we go . I got the MASTERFLEX L/S COLE-PARMER DIGITAL STANDARD DRIVE 7523-70 PUMP CONTROLLER and then had too purchase a New Cole-Parmer Masterflex Easy-Load II Pump Head Model 77200-62 Cause it didn't come with it..

Ok gotthe tubing in place , Now which end of the tubing goes where ???

I Have a MRC Dual Calcium Reactor w/ Blueline 10

[Piper27]

Picked this up recently. Will it be OK to use? The head is a little loud though.

Is there any way to clean or service it myself without messing up the unit?

Do I have the tubing clamped down right? The head is spinning funny now that I cut a new piece of tubing. Its rolling quick then slow, like half the turn is quick, half is slow.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by janey

Ok gotthe tubing in place , Now which end of the tubing goes where ???

The Masterflex is just replacing your feed pump from your CaRx.
So if you look at the front of the Masterflex you will see the DIR button. That changes the direction of flow by changing which way the rollers turn in the pump head. Go ahead and connect a couple small pieces of tubing and stick one of them in a cup of water and put the end of the other one in an empty cup and turn on the pump. You'll see if it starts pulling from the cup of water and spilling it into the empty cup. If not, hit the DIR button to change direction. Use the arrow buttons to change the flow rate. Play with that and you'll have a good idea of how it works. Then to hook it up to your CaRx it just depends if you are going to use the Masterflex to push water into the reactor or pull effluent out of the reactor.

[zachts]

Originally Posted by Piper27

Picked this up recently. Will it be OK to use? The head is a little loud though.

Is there any way to clean or service it myself without messing up the unit?

Do I have the tubing clamped down right? The head is spinning funny now that I cut a new piece of tubing. Its rolling quick then slow, like half the turn is quick, half is slow.

Need more info on what is "noisy" is the noise coming from the head or does the noise remain if the head is removed and the drive is turned on? There may be something that can be done to lessen noise but we will need more info, and from the age I'm guessing it's a brushed motor and it will not operate silently, it will have a decently loud "hum" even at low RPM that I'd compare to an average PC fan, different sound but similar sound level.

Also looks like one of the quick load heads but my guess from your pic is you cut the tubing too short and the tension is too high, it looks kind of streached over the rollers from the pic. There is normally a little "pop" where the rollers jump ahead slightly as it clears the tubing at the top of the head but they should roll about the same speed thru a full revolution. Refer back to the onwer's manual for that head to make sure you properly installed the tubing.

[hkgar]

This is one of the most cooperative thread that I think I have ever belong to. Yes, I said belong to, it is like a little club and every member is committed to helping the next person be successful with their reactor.

Thanks and kudos to Tkeracer for getting it all started and continue to help the new person.

[Piper27]

Originally Posted by zachts

Need more info on what is "noisy" is the noise coming from the head or does the noise remain if the head is removed and the drive is turned on? There may be something that can be done to lessen noise but we will need more info, and from the age I'm guessing it's a brushed motor and it will not operate silently, it will have a decently loud "hum" even at low RPM that I'd compare to an average PC fan, different sound but similar sound level.

Also looks like one of the quick load heads but my guess from your pic is you cut the tubing too short and the tension is too high, it looks kind of streached over the rollers from the pic. There is normally a little "pop" where the rollers jump ahead slightly as it clears the tubing at the top of the head but they should roll about the same speed thru a full revolution. Refer back to the onwer's manual for that head to make sure you properly installed the tubing.

Thanks! I will do some work and update. Hopefully its not junk. I think my tubing is to tight for sure though.

[janey]

Ok, fig out which way it pulls from. But it didnt really pull water from the cup. I had to blow water into the tube. and it came out the other why ..LOL.
I will be pulling effluent out of the reactor.






Question.. The Ph Probe i calibrate with a 4.0 to 7.0 solution right ?

[Greg 45]

You can change direction of pump circle arrows above locking handle . I have the same unit , works like a charm . Also it will take a little bit of time to prime .

[slief]

Originally Posted by janey

Ok, fig out which way it pulls from. But it didnt really pull water from the cup. I had to blow water into the tube. and it came out the other why ..LOL.
I will be pulling effluent out of the reactor.






Question.. The Ph Probe i calibrate with a 4.0 to 7.0 solution right ?

If it's not priming, it could be because of the tubing you are using. Do you know what tubing you are using in that thing? It has to be LS15, 24,35, 36. LS 17 Tubing probably won't work correctly in that head.

[zachts]

Originally Posted by Piper27

Thanks! I will do some work and update. Hopefully its not junk. I think my tubing is to tight for sure though.

As long as the motor turns it can be used for something, as I recall someone mentioned they had a really old one that was all sorts of worn out and loud as hell, but they located it in the garage and it worked great!

Don't forget these things can pump a tremendous distance and work well located remotely, even a floor or two difference in height and at the opposite end of the house provided you can route the tubing to and from the tank. If nothing else, always good for Remote ATO or Auto Water Change later on. But as far as I am aware there is no reason that it couldn't be located remotely from the reactor as well and work just as good as if it were right next to the thing, of course that makes fine tuning a little harder but the great thing is this is set and forget once dialed in.

[Greg 45]

Slief is it better to pull water out of a reactor / or push water into a reactor.
Does it matter ???

[janey]

Its a LS 17 Tubing

[slief]

Originally Posted by janey

Its a LS 17 Tubing

I don't think LS17 tubing will work for that head. I could be wrong but I am 100% certain that the head isn't intended for use with LS17 tubing and it could be that it's allowing air to pass through the tubing and the rollers which is likely why it won't stay primed.

[slief]

Originally Posted by Greg 45

Slief is it better to pull water out of a reactor / or push water into a reactor.
Does it matter ???

Per many posts in this thread, most of us are pulling the water through the reactors as opposed to pushing it through. The pumps are capable of pretty good pressure and pulling water through them reduces the chances of water leaks from the reactor.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by janey

Question.. The Ph Probe i calibrate with a 4.0 to 7.0 solution right ?

Yes.

Originally Posted by janey

Its a LS 17 Tubing

It says right on the pump head which tubing to use. LS 17 isn't one of the choices.