automatic water change

Awesome. I can mount the pump to the basement ceiling and only have to go up one floor to the attic. My mixing bins are already elevated. Great news on the head height!
 
Awesome. I can mount the pump to the basement ceiling and only have to go up one floor to the attic. My mixing bins are already elevated. Great news on the head height!

I've not tested suction pressure but most peristaltics can pull just as well as they can push so easily 24' vertical should be possible with these pumps!
 
Heh, you don't need to put it in the middle...

Per their FAQ

What is the maximum suction lift?
The maximum suction lift is 29 ft H20.

What is the maximum pressure?
Depending on your choice of tubing, the maximum pressure is 40 psi (2.7 bar); nominal pressure is 25 psi (1.7 bar). Our PTFE pump head can operate at pressures up to 100 psi.

Quick calc shows that 40psi would be roughly 92.3ft :-P, at 25psi it's 57.7'

Gotta remember, this is not an impeller pushing a liquid. The rollers PHYSICALLY catch the liquid in front of it and push it, and then follow it with another, another, so there's no impeller slip like a regular pump
 
Heh, you don't need to put it in the middle...

Per their FAQ

What is the maximum suction lift?
The maximum suction lift is 29 ft H20.

What is the maximum pressure?
Depending on your choice of tubing, the maximum pressure is 40 psi (2.7 bar); nominal pressure is 25 psi (1.7 bar). Our PTFE pump head can operate at pressures up to 100 psi.

Quick calc shows that 40psi would be roughly 92.3ft :-P, at 25psi it's 57.7'

Gotta remember, this is not an impeller pushing a liquid. The rollers PHYSICALLY catch the liquid in front of it and push it, and then follow it with another, another, so there's no impeller slip like a regular pump
Yeah, your probably right, I've not looked into the specs too closely yet for the specific pump heads/motor/gears I have on these. There are too many different setups floating on this thread now. LOL. But suffice it to say if they turn they will work great!

Now of to the garage to see if I have a stash of tygon laying around that might work while I wait on new noroprene.......
 
Cool! I was worried I would have issues with the distance and height. I'm confident now the setup will work granted as long as I can get a power supply, tubing snaked through the walls, remotely controlled, etc.

Keep the good results coming. What tubing do I need to replace for the rollers and what would be good for the long distance run?
 
Cool! I was worried I would have issues with the distance and height. I'm confident now the setup will work granted as long as I can get a power supply, tubing snaked through the walls, remotely controlled, etc.

Keep the good results coming. What tubing do I need to replace for the rollers and what would be good for the long distance run?

Well your in luck, even a 500mA 5v cell charger seems to work, just really slowly, you'll likely want something closer to 24v which is what this motor is rated for. but 5v turns the pumps, just may be too slow to be useful, and I'm not sure if this motor is good to drive below rated voltage as it comes in different voltage models and doesn't appear to be designed for variable voltage use........ but I've not talked to Pittman/Ametek yet about that. It is a DC motor so if it turns it should be fine though.

I easily used some 1/4 inch drip irrigation hose barbs to connect the stock tubing to some 1/4" RO tubing I had laying around. and it seems to be leak free. So' I'm going to use that for connections. I haven't taken apart the head yet to read the tubing info but it appears to be 1/4" OD by 1/8" ID noroprene. Most of the tubing seems to be new and unused on mine but I'll not chance it and will replace. Only one line had any ink traces in it.

I'm sifting back through the early pages of the thread for tubing type discussion.
 
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I have a feeling silicon airline tubing would work, what I have is about the same outer diameter and size and softness, I may give it a try, but the correct tubing is worth the wait, LOL

I feel like a kid in a candy store with these things :lolspin:

I'm easily entertained :beer:
 
Generally speaking, if the motor is rated for 24v you want to be using 24v on it. You can however use a 24v pwm circuit to vary the speed on it. Lower voltage leads to increased current running to the motor, which could cause shorts or premature failure of windings/insulation.

That said at 5v it will run alot slower, but there's no gaurantee on the longevity of the motor. I've been able to slow mine down from 200rpm's down to 12rpm's (I actually counted it lol) using a 12v pwm controller. I prefer a very slow speed for the quiet factor and slower changeout multiple times throughout the day.
 
Generally speaking, if the motor is rated for 24v you want to be using 24v on it. You can however use a 24v pwm circuit to vary the speed on it. Lower voltage leads to increased current running to the motor, which could cause shorts or premature failure of windings/insulation.

That said at 5v it will run alot slower, but there's no gaurantee on the longevity of the motor. I've been able to slow mine down from 200rpm's down to 12rpm's (I actually counted it lol) using a 12v pwm controller. I prefer a very slow speed for the quiet factor and slower changeout multiple times throughout the day.

Refer to my earllier post this motor seems to draw a pretty consitent current regardless of voltage. 65.5 to 1 gear ration is why I would imagine. But still rated for 24 volts so I'll be running it at that. May play with the PWM though.
 
This thread is GIANT!

I've been reading thru this and wondering how many have their automated water change systems up and running????

Show me pics!!
 
This thread is GIANT!

I've been reading thru this and wondering how many have their automated water change systems up and running????

Show me pics!!

Almost 10,00 views Dr- thanks for the heads up, and giving us all well researched data!!!.

I love my system. My pics are early on into the thread. At times i find myself bored. Its like I WANT to do something to the tank, but heck, its all done already :spin1:
 
It's NEVER all done.

Steve- I agree with minor things like cleaning skimmer cup, changing floss etc..., maybe mounting frags (fun), but the biggest maintenance task has always been water changes.

i no longer have to worry about it, it just gets done. :bum:

Now i just tinker with test kits, adjust minutes on apex for dosing etc.. monitor RC more etc....:lolspin:

Biggest problem is now i have less excuses from getting away from "hooney do's". "No.... i cant take x mas decorations into attic cause i have to do a water change"
 
My list contains....
Move tank to the other side of the room.

Build new stand and sump first.

Set up mixing station.

Institute AWC.

Set up automatic fill of RODI and saltwater containers.

Then I may be done.
 
My list contains....
Move tank to the other side of the room.

Build new stand and sump first.

Set up mixing station.

Institute AWC.

Set up automatic fill of RODI and saltwater containers.

Then I may be done.


Awesome thread idea... :)
 
What a build thread or a thread about things you want to do to your set up?

I don't have time to do the things I want let along document it.
 
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