Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Can I Use a Dual Head Masterflex to Pump an Auto Top and Calcium Reactor?

Can I Use a Dual Head Masterflex to Pump an Auto Top and Calcium Reactor?

Just bought a used Cole Parmer Masterflex L/S Digital Pump 7523-60 with 77200-62 Easy-Load II Head. I purchased this as a feed pump to a calcium reactor. This pump has two heads, leading me to ask this question: can I use one head to feed a calcium reactor, and another to fee an auto-top off? If so, how would I configure the second feed to an auto-top-off. Historically, the peristalic pumps I have used to feed auto-top-off water was positioned in the bottom of a container of RO water. It's hard to visualize how an external pump, positioned outside that container of RO water would be able to feed water from the RO-water container to the sump. Advice, please. Thank you.
 
swk said:
You can't run one head while one is off. Not doable.
Click to expand...

Thanks, SWK. I have a lot to learn about the Masterflex pump. Are you saying, then, that both heads have to be used for continuous duty? If so, then that would rule out using it for intermittent top-offs. I guess I would just have to use both heads to drive the calcium reactor, or some other constant-supply equipment? Any suggestions for a second, constant-supply equipment? I am not sure I'd have such needs.
 
A pic of what you're talking about would be helpful. I've never seen a double pump head that couldn't be turned into a single.

If you had a separate pump you could certainly use it for a top off.
 
swk said:
A pic of what you're talking about would be helpful. I've never seen a double pump head that couldn't be turned into a single.

If you had a separate pump you could certainly use it for a top off.
Click to expand...

It just seems from the picture that one tube runs left and another tube runs right, from the sides of the Easy-Load-II apparatus. But I might have that wrong. I guess I'll just wait until my Masterflex gets delivered and take a look at it in person, then.

Thanks.
 
swk said:
You can't run one head while one is off. Not doable.
Click to expand...

Yes you can. The dual head Masterflex units just use two heads stacked one on top of the other. The only thing that is needed are the shorter screws.

This just one such example but all the Masterflex pumps with "Easyl Load" heads are exactly the same when it comes to stacked heads. They are two separate heads stacked one on top of the other held together with longer screws. The heads turn the same direction. They are keyed to fit into one another. In fact, they aren't even special heads. Easy Load heads are designed to be used in single, double and even tripple sets. I think they can be stacked up to founds heads at a time using any standard Easy Load or Easy Load II head. .

image_zpsckkdjdey.jpeg


image_zps4dcz2v9b.jpeg
 
Ok guys after all the back and forth tuning of the pump , reactor et all I found that there is something wrong cos of the setting you have advised me and why I cannot achieve it . So i decided to recheck the ph of my reactor ( I had calibrated my ph reactor probe a few days back) and to my surprise the reading was way off about 0.08 lower which was the reason for low ph reading. Any ways now I have reset all back and set it to 2 second per bubble , 5psi and 30ml/min. With this setting ph in the reactor is 7.3 day time and 6.8 night time . Kh in the reactor is 16 and tank is 7.2.

Let's hope these numbers hold up and I don't have to tinker anymore . A few of my SPS browned out cos of the kh issues. Thanks for all your help.

BTW I am using CP 7523-40 pump, I am able to adjust the flow in 10ml/min increments and not in lower flow like 5ml/min. Any ideas.
 
I'm using the Masterflex 6402-17 Norprene tubing in my CP pump. I'm trying to formulate a reasonable maintenance interval for tubing replacement. I've found data indicating a nominal lifetime of 1000 hrs. @600 rpm, but of course I'm not running near that. Does anyone have experience that would contradict my assumption that wear is pretty much linear (i.e. 10000 hrs. @60 rpm). That, for instance would make yearly a reasonable maintenance period @60 rpm.
 
slief said:
Yes you can. The dual head Masterflex units just use two heads stacked one on top of the other. The only thing that is needed are the shorter screws.

This just one such example but all the Masterflex pumps with "Easyl Load" heads are exactly the same when it comes to stacked heads. They are two separate heads stacked one on top of the other held together with longer screws. The heads turn the same direction. They are keyed to fit into one another. In fact, they aren't even special heads. Easy Load heads are designed to be used in single, double and even tripple sets. I think they can be stacked up to founds heads at a time using any standard Easy Load or Easy Load II head. .

image_zpsckkdjdey.jpeg


image_zps4dcz2v9b.jpeg
Click to expand...



I think you misunderstood me. If using both heads, one cannot run while another does not is all I was saying. They are modular and can go up to 4 I believe
 
BillFW said:
I'm using the Masterflex 6402-17 Norprene tubing in my CP pump. I'm trying to formulate a reasonable maintenance interval for tubing replacement. I've found data indicating a nominal lifetime of 1000 hrs. @600 rpm, but of course I'm not running near that. Does anyone have experience that would contradict my assumption that wear is pretty much linear (i.e. 10000 hrs. @60 rpm). That, for instance would make yearly a reasonable maintenance period @60 rpm.
Click to expand...

I'm running at about ~6 rpm and I replace mine every quarter, using the PharMed tubing. Though it does seem the tubing has a lot more life left in it, replacing it takes 2 minutes and costs a few bucks so I'm going with safety margin. Though if people are running it for significantly longer that would be interesting to hear.

Though it seems the wear from the rollers would be linear, if saltwater in contact with the tubing shortens the lifespan that would be the same at 6rpm or 600rpm.
 
Is there anything that can be done about quieting a pump. Just got one and has a loud electrical hum, kind of like a messed up fan motor. It works fine but it considerably louder than my MP40s. There is no grinding noises just a low frequency hum. Pump is in great shape inside and out but have not opened motor yet. Cole palmer does not support this model any more so they were no help.
 
What is the model? Some are brushless and are super quiet. Some are brushed and depending on the condition of the brushes, can get pretty loud.


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vhuang168 said:
What is the model? Some are brushless and are super quiet. Some are brushed and depending on the condition of the brushes, can get pretty loud.


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Click to expand...

7524-40. I'm assuming this is a brushed model. That said, the Cole Palmer rep heard it over the phone and said it was typically an electrical issue? Like I said is a low frequency hum, not a grinding or squeaky noise at all. I've read some people clean the brushes or replace them, but CP says they no longer support this model. It looks literally brand new, even the insides are pristine. Is there anything that could be lubricated or greased? I did expect some level of noise, but this is a bit more than I had hoped for. I'm waiting to set it up until I figure this noise thing out. I know I've read of some on this thread going in there and improving it. I don't expect it to be dead silent, but this is just a little too much since tank in in a living area, and no basements in FL, LOL! Thanks a lot!
 
I honestly think that is how it's going to sound like. There is a YouTube video comparing a brushed version vs a brushless. Maybe you can look it up and see if that's how yours' sounds like.


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Rovster. I have the exact same model and my experience is the same. Not so much a squeaking (which would indicate brush wear), or a grinding, rattling, or clicking. It's nothing mechanical in nature. Just a loud 60hz typical AC electronic hum. Same pitch and sound of an old street lamp, a refrigerator, old loud aquarium air pump, dryer, old noisy mag drive pump, ect. Just that electrical hum, but it's VERY loud. Louder than any single noise source in the entire house. It's only not noticeable when the ATI fans are running, tv is on, box fan running, dishwasher going, all at once. Then it's not noticeable. But it's such a resonant hum I can hear it from any room in the house, with doors shut. I have mine wrapped in towels inside an equipment cabinet, and found the hum is slightly lessened if I elevate one side slightly. Seems to throw off the frequency a little and it's not as loud. Wish I were of more help. I've debated running longer water lines through the wall and putting it inside a closet in another room adjacent to the tank


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On YouTube video comparisons I hear that same hum coming from the brushless models. I don't think the hum is a result of brushes


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Here you go! Any opinions after hearing this?



After listening myself, its much more audible in person but you can hear the low pitched hum in the background. Aplify that a few times and that's what it sounds like in real life, LOL! If this is "normal" then I would be satisfied with that. If there is anything that I can do and or should do, then I will. Thanks guys for all your help!
 
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