Avast Marine Peristaltic AWC

[mr9iron]

I am considering setting up a AWC system and have been looking at the Avast Marine Peristaltic pumps. I have one connected to my ATO and love it. It does a great job so far. I only want to change about 2 gallons at the most each day and wonder if anyone else has done this with these pumps? It will be controlled by my Apex as well.

 

[mcgyvr]

It will just have to run for 5 hours straight to change 2 gallons.
Not sure how "continuous duty" those motors really are

 

[mr9iron]

It will just have to run for 5 hours straight to change 2 gallons.
Not sure how "continuous duty" those motors really are

Yeah, that is what I figured time wise. I wonder if it would make a difference if I split that time up. Say 2.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in the evening.

 

[jedimasterben]

The problem with cheaper peristaltic pumps is that they're made for short bursts of runtime, usually a few minutes. There are peristaltic pumps that are rated for near or fully continuous duty, but as expected, there is a price premium.

 

[mr9iron]

The problem with cheaper peristaltic pumps is that they're made for short bursts of runtime, usually a few minutes. There are peristaltic pumps that are rated for near or fully continuous duty, but as expected, there is a price premium.

So would it be harmful to run the pump for roughly 4 minutes every hour?

 

[jedimasterben]

So would it be harmful to run the pump for roughly 4 minutes every hour?

That's only 1.6 hours daily of runtime, which is not too much, and most should be able to handle that without issues.

I would take a peek at this thread about DIY dosers: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1773806


The APT Instruments dosing heads are rated for continuous use and you can order exactly the one you need, the flow rates for each motor RPM and tubing diameter are on this page here: http://www.aptinstruments.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AI&Product_Code=SP200FO

You can get up to 29mL per minute on that particular motor, which is 1.74L per hour. Just add a housing and you're good to go.

 

[Theokie]

To me the Avast pump looks very similar to the http://www.greybeardpumps.com. I ran two of these with float switches for my water change system and they worked fine for about 9 months, running for 1.5 minutes every 2 hrs, so 18 minutes a day. After 9 months use the motors went. Now I may have had more head pressure then most as my pumps were in a utility room across a hallway from my fish room, with my lines running thru the ceiling.

After they failed I tried diaphragm pumps that worked well, just were a bit too noisy for my taste, a once or twice a day water change they probably would have been fine for.

After spending a couple hundred bucks on various pumps I've gone back to peristaltic but instead I'm using Masterflex pumps, much quieter, heavy duty build quality, and only about 100 bucks on ebay if your patient.

As for a water change you don't want a fancy digital one, just a variable speed analog control that you will turn off and on with a controller. You don't even need the fancy easy load head as long as your willing to commit to one tubing size, as for a water change system your tubing will probably last years, as some are rated for 500-1000 hrs of continuos use.

A note on the digital units, many will not automatically start back up with relay control, you have to push a start button, so these models are better for calcium reactor effluent type set ups where they run continually

 

[slief]

The big issue I see with using peristaltic pumps is the fact that it's virtually impossible to insure that the same amount that goes in also goes out. This is due to slight differences from one pump to the next as well as the length and height of the lines. My previous automatic water change system utilized a litermeter 3 with a slave pump. While it worked well when properly calibrated, getting calibration spot on between two pumps is pretty tough. Also maintenance is an issue as well as the pumps need regular maintenance as well as regular calibration to be accurate. If one pump moves water at a different pace, you will get salinity drifts and or run into top off issue where you are topping off more than you are evaporating. Again causing salinity drift.

I switched to a Genesis Renew which is not cheap but it offered the advantage of precise water changes that are relatively fast (a gallon every couple minutes) coupled with the ability to do larger continuous water changes with the push of a button.

The other reliable alternative would be a dual head medical dosing pump like a Cole Palmer. While they are noisy, they are accurate and don't require the kind of calibration that a Litermeter does.

 

[tkeracer619]

To use peristaltics you really need an adjustable occlusion pump head on one of the pump heads with both pump heads stacked onto the same motor.

With this you can calibrate the unit such that the input is actually the same as the output.

You could get a used coleparmer pump with two heads for under $400 that would get you setup. You could easily find it cheaper if you are patient but the adjustable occlusion heads are few and far between. Often they command a higher price unless someone is just looking for quick cash.

 

[Theokie]

I use a set time to drain, and then use optical level sensor with double float switch as back up. Similar to the avast ATO system and many others.

Use a timer or controller to remove an amount. And then add new salt water until the level raises to trip the set point. I'd never be comfortable to just rely on a pump to continually remove identical amounts in the long run.

If you have a controller your ATO and your water change can utilize the same high level sensor, even programming to ensure your ATO runs before your water change

 

[Reefvet]

To use peristaltics you really need an adjustable occlusion pump head on one of the pump heads with both pump heads stacked onto the same motor.

With this you can calibrate the unit such that the input is actually the same as the output.

I solved that problem by using a dual channel Masterflex pump.

 

[mr9iron]

I use a set time to drain, and then use optical level sensor with double float switch as back up. Similar to the avast ATO system and many others.

Use a timer or controller to remove an amount. And then add new salt water until the level raises to trip the set point. I'd never be comfortable to just rely on a pump to continually remove identical amounts in the long run.

If you have a controller your ATO and your water change can utilize the same high level sensor, even programming to ensure your ATO runs before your water change

What kind of pump are you using? Can you give me more details on your setup?

 

[mr9iron]

That's only 1.6 hours daily of runtime, which is not too much, and most should be able to handle that without issues.

I would take a peek at this thread about DIY dosers: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1773806


The APT Instruments dosing heads are rated for continuous use and you can order exactly the one you need, the flow rates for each motor RPM and tubing diameter are on this page here: http://www.aptinstruments.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AI&Product_Code=SP200FO

You can get up to 29mL per minute on that particular motor, which is 1.74L per hour. Just add a housing and you're good to go.

To me the Avast pump looks very similar to the http://www.greybeardpumps.com. I ran two of these with float switches for my water change system and they worked fine for about 9 months, running for 1.5 minutes every 2 hrs, so 18 minutes a day. After 9 months use the motors went. Now I may have had more head pressure then most as my pumps were in a utility room across a hallway from my fish room, with my lines running thru the ceiling.

After they failed I tried diaphragm pumps that worked well, just were a bit too noisy for my taste, a once or twice a day water change they probably would have been fine for.

After spending a couple hundred bucks on various pumps I've gone back to peristaltic but instead I'm using Masterflex pumps, much quieter, heavy duty build quality, and only about 100 bucks on ebay if your patient.

As for a water change you don't want a fancy digital one, just a variable speed analog control that you will turn off and on with a controller. You don't even need the fancy easy load head as long as your willing to commit to one tubing size, as for a water change system your tubing will probably last years, as some are rated for 500-1000 hrs of continuos use.

A note on the digital units, many will not automatically start back up with relay control, you have to push a start button, so these models are better for calcium reactor effluent type set ups where they run continually

The big issue I see with using peristaltic pumps is the fact that it's virtually impossible to insure that the same amount that goes in also goes out. This is due to slight differences from one pump to the next as well as the length and height of the lines. My previous automatic water change system utilized a litermeter 3 with a slave pump. While it worked well when properly calibrated, getting calibration spot on between two pumps is pretty tough. Also maintenance is an issue as well as the pumps need regular maintenance as well as regular calibration to be accurate. If one pump moves water at a different pace, you will get salinity drifts and or run into top off issue where you are topping off more than you are evaporating. Again causing salinity drift.

I switched to a Genesis Renew which is not cheap but it offered the advantage of precise water changes that are relatively fast (a gallon every couple minutes) coupled with the ability to do larger continuous water changes with the push of a button.

The other reliable alternative would be a dual head medical dosing pump like a Cole Palmer. While they are noisy, they are accurate and don't require the kind of calibration that a Litermeter does.

To use peristaltics you really need an adjustable occlusion pump head on one of the pump heads with both pump heads stacked onto the same motor.

With this you can calibrate the unit such that the input is actually the same as the output.

You could get a used coleparmer pump with two heads for under $400 that would get you setup. You could easily find it cheaper if you are patient but the adjustable occlusion heads are few and far between. Often they command a higher price unless someone is just looking for quick cash.

I solved that problem by using a dual channel Masterflex pump.

The problem with cheaper peristaltic pumps is that they're made for short bursts of runtime, usually a few minutes. There are peristaltic pumps that are rated for near or fully continuous duty, but as expected, there is a price premium.

Thank you guys for all of the awesome responses. It gives me more to consider.

Silef, I have looked at the Genesis. I would love to have one but can't turn loose of the money.:blown: