Dosing pump: over what distance?

[Wheel of Time]

Am thinking about a big change to how I do ATO. Currently have a top off container in my stand and use one of the 'sentry' reefdosing.com medical dosing pumps to run it the small distance to the sump. The problem is that I have to refill the container (Id estimate about 20g) every 4 days with new ro/di.
I saw a post for a very large water/food storage bin, and am contemplating buying it...the issue is: 1) would have to put it in the furnace room maybe 20-25ft away from the reef since the container is so big; 2) I dont want to buy another pump / timer etc (yet).

Question: do any of you have any experience with how far one of these medical dosers can draw the water from? (so I dont have to buy a new pump) It isnt going up a floor -- same level.

thanks

 

[scolley]

Seth, I'm assuming your medical doser is a peristaltic pump? They usually are. Peristaltics are easily identified by the pumping method - a flexible tube wrapped around a rotating disc with pinch rollers on the disk. As the disk rotates, the pinch rollers push fluid through the flexible tube.

If so, those can usually push a long way, and take a good bit of head height too, though that does not apply to you. My own personal experience is only through 10 feet or so of tubing, but at the end of the tubing I've got a brass check valve before the tube terminates into a pressurized closed loop system. That check valve requires a good bit of pressure to open. So I suspect my dinky little hobbyiest peristatics can push at least 30 feet horizontally, probably much more.

If you must know... then just buy 30' of tubing and test it. Easy. I've got tubing if you need some. Also, you'll get less resistance if you use larger tubing. Most peristalics use tiny tubes, like 1/8" or 1/16". If you use an adapter to size that up to 1/4", or even 1/2" your pump will pump farther. I've got adapters too.

 

[Wheel of Time]

Thanks a lot Steve. Let me go through the garage and see how much of the larger diameter tubing I have lying around to see if I can test the run.

 

[Wheel of Time]

you were correct Steve. Did the test over 30 ft just to see and the peristalic performed perfectly over the distance. Now lets see if I can get a deal on that monster water storage tank! hehehehe. Better not tell the wife Im bidding on something else.....

 

[RTMA]

The problem is that I have to refill the container (Id estimate about 20g) every 4 days with new ro/di.
thanks

This works for me. I use my ro/di unit to pump the water to my topoff bucket using a simple plastic float switch. I then use a garden hose timer to run every other day for 90 minutes to fill up the 5 gallon bucket. The ro/di system pumps the water right to the bucket and automatically shuts off when full or if the timer turns off.

Might be something to think about and cheap to try.

 

[scolley]

Did the test over 30 ft just to see and the peristalic performed perfectly over the distance.

Too cool Seth!

Never underestimate the gentle, slow power of a good peristaltic.

Do let me know if you need adapers... I've got 'em coming out the yin-yang.

Glad it worked!

 

[rjinct]

I saw a post for a very large water/food storage bin, and am contemplating buying it...

Speaking of buying bins...I was thinking of buying a couple to make a salt water mixing station that could be use as the HQ's for ATO and down the road, auto water changes. Any luck for finding a good supplier in CT? I was thinking of going the Brute can route, and I still might, but was hoping to find something 55 gallon...similar to this. Id pick a few of these up, but shipping on this thing is killer.

http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=913

Have any good sources here in the area?

 

[Wheel of Time]

I use the 32g brute for for making my RO/DI and for mixing the salt water myself. I do like your idea for making an HQ for ATO etc.

Here is one of several links I have to lrg water storage bins and 55g drums
Sounds like he will deliver it to you for free (but of course that is built into the price...)
http://hartford.craigslist.org/grd/1581136935.html

 

[rjinct]

I actually saw that on craigslist just after posting on here. I think I might go with that unless I can find them cheaper local < $40. If I do, I'm going to get 2 regular barrels and 1 rain barrel, which my wife is really excited about for some reason...I figure I can also send my waste water there too.

I exchanged emails with him and he'll be up in this area in about 4 weeks. Anyone else possibly interested in these barrels or know of any local that may be cheaper?

 

[ctreefer]

check with cultured aquatic. I have grabbed 55 gallon fda approved old vinegar barrells from him for much cheaper. He has a source that is local. You just need to rinse out the vinegar.

good luck

I need to make it to one of your meetings. Hopefully soon, I've been out of the loop too long.