Peristaltic pump

[mr9iron]

I have the older peristaltic pump with the blue cover which recently quit pulling Kalk from my reservoir. So, I figured it was due to needing the new neoprene tubing, as the motor still worked, and made the order with you to replace it. However, I cannot seem to get the pump to pull after installing the new tubing. The pump spins, but nothing happens. Any ideas?

 

[ctenophore]

Hi Vince,

How long is the run of tubing to the pump input? Is there significant head pressure that the pump is trying to overcome to pull water up? The tubing is the same even though the heads are different, but can you check the wall thickness of the new and old tubing to make sure they at least appear similar? Also, it's possible you have a bad connection at the barb fitting/compression nut on the intake side that is causing the pump to lose its suction.

 

[mr9iron]

Hi Vince,

How long is the run of tubing to the pump input? Is there significant head pressure that the pump is trying to overcome to pull water up? The tubing is the same even though the heads are different, but can you check the wall thickness of the new and old tubing to make sure they at least appear similar? Also, it's possible you have a bad connection at the barb fitting/compression nut on the intake side that is causing the pump to lose its suction.

The run on the tubing is only about 2 feet, do I don't think head pressure is a problem. I checked the tubing and they appear to be about the same thickness as well. I note that with the new tubing I can not replace the tubing exactly like the older type with the little pieces that slide into the slots. I wonder if that makes any difference. How would one know if the compression fitting is bad?

 

[Avast Marine]

Hi Vince,

What type of tubing do you have connected to the pump? Is it polyethylene tubing like used for rodi? That is the only type that will work with the John Guest connections on the new fittings.

 

[mr9iron]

Hi Vince,

What type of tubing do you have connected to the pump? Is it polyethylene tubing like used for rodi? That is the only type that will work with the John Guest connections on the new fittings.

Dan, I think I got it fixed now. Thanks for the help.

 

[mjc0760]

Hi Dan. Just got your email re the likelihood that I need to replace the tubing in my peristaltic pump. I placed an order... Is the repair as simple as popping off the front cover?

 

[Avast Marine]

You can remove the fittings from the tubing set on one side (will make sense when you get them) and with the pump on you can feed the tubing through this way since the pump will push the tubing along for you. Alternately you can open up the box and loosen the 3 screws on the back of the pump housing which will allow you to remove the pump cover and you can replace it by swapping out tube sets without removing the fittings.

 

[mjc0760]

Thanks Dan!

 

[mjc0760]

I got the new tubing yesterday and replaced the old one last night. I went with pulling the pump apart instead of messing with those pesky little clamps... it was a piece of cake! I wish more tank projects were this easy!