Not Safe For Acrylic?

[lamarine23]

I don't have an infared therm but I'm going to do some research to see if I can find some type of thermometer that can fit between the west and dry side. It would have to be somthing micro, like at the end of a needle of sorts. I do have a NIST certifide temp probe that I calibrate all of the other temp probes off of.

 

[lamarine23]

or flat

 

[jnarowe]

I would like to see what you come up with. I think the infrared ones are now common enough that they can be bought at HD.

 

[sherm71tank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11358176#post11358176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe


Do you have an infrared thermometer at the store? I realize that they are not the most accurate measuring device

I've seen you post this a few times now. Where are you coming up with this at? As far as I know (from an industrial machine standpoint where I use non contact voltmeters, IR rpm gauges etc.) IR thermometers are accurate within a degree or two provided the measurement is taken reasonably close to the target with higher end IR thermometers being very accurate.

 

[jnarowe]

well, just based on the fact that when I use mine, the temp. readings change so I take an average of several readings to feel more confident about the number.

 

[sherm71tank]

I should have known you would do that :reading: taking three readings and then averaging is a very scientific approach to most anything!

 

[jnarowe]

yes, I do that with Vodka too.

 

[sherm71tank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11358825#post11358825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
yes, I do that with Vodka too.

You should save that nonsense for your own thread! :lol:

 

[jnarowe]

sorry. forgot where I was...

 

[mpdharley]

jnarowe -- How long were you running the pumps before you started to see crazing/rubbing?

I have a 6'x4'x2', 3/4" acrylic tank that I built and am running three pumps on it. I have taken the pumps off and the acrylic feels a little warmer, but only by a couple of degrees (guess).

So far, I'm not seeing any issues and plan on continuing to run the pumps. However, it never hurts to keep an eye on things. So, any time line or other warning signs you can provide would be great. I figure I'll add it to the other checks I do with the tank.

Mike

 

[lamarine23]

mpdharley,
thank you for posting....I would like to hear from other members that are using the pumps on 3/4 acrylic and see what they have experienced. I also do not feel the acrylic reaching those high temps but I will try to back that up with some actual numbers and temp numbers for operating the pumps at 100% from the heat sink.

I think I read somewhere that the crazing happened soon after he put the pumps on but the cracks where recently noticed. Please correct me if I am wrong jnarowe.

Jesse

 

[jnarowe]

I can't remember. The initial crazing happened fairly soon I believe. I could probably look through emails and PMs to see the exact time frame, but I doubt that will help you in any meaningful way.

 

[mpdharley]

Thanks, that's probably good enough. I've been running two of them for two weeks and the third for about a week. For now, I'm going to check them every couple of days, then add the check to my weekly maintenance.

 

[reefsafe]

I recommend you check it when you clean your wetside, which should be done ever few weeks.

 

[mpdharley]

I'll have to go back through the docs, I had forgotten that you were supposed to clean the wet side, thanks!

Wonder what else I forgot <G>

 

[reefsafe]

No worries. What I did was buy an extra wet side. It is very convenient to swap one out and let the other soak in vinegar.

 

[sherm71tank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11363430#post11363430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mdrumm
I recommend you check it when you clean your wetside, which should be done ever few weeks.

You really don't think people are going to clean their pumps every 2 or 3 weeks do you?

 

[mpdharley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11364302#post11364302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mdrumm
No worries. What I did was buy an extra wet side. It is very convenient to swap one out and let the other soak in vinegar.

Interesting thought, may have to do that later. One of the advantages of taking down my closed loop is that it and my return pump were both Darts. That gives me a spare for my return now. One of the things I want to do better with this tank is the maintenance on the physical equipment.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11364334#post11364334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sherm71tank
You really don't think people are going to clean their pumps every 2 or 3 weeks do you?

I don't, but if I did they'd always look brand new and stay more invisible to me. I like them clean and black, but I think I clean them every 60 days or so.

 

[sherm71tank]

I shouldn't speak for everyone but I know I'm not cleaning it unless it REALLY needs it. I agree they do look nicer clean though.