Stenner pumps-anyone have experience with them?

[Jstaff123]

I run a remote mixing/RO station in my garage and for an ATO pump, I am currently using a diaphragm pump to go up and over to the tank via the attic, and while it works great, I've had one pump go out, and the current pump is sounding terrible, so looking for something more reliable.

During my research I saw the RC member Slief uses one for his ATO and I'd like his opinion; unfortunately I don't have enough posts yet to message him as he is a Forum moderator, so hopefully he'll see this.

However he's the only user I've seen so far using one for this purpose; is there anyone else using one that could give me their opinion and would you recommend?

Noise isn't an issue as it will be in the garage; that seems to be the only real negative I've found on them so far.

Thanks everyone!

Jeff

 

[scooters reef]

It's also what I plan to use. A dual head for auto water change for sure, and likely my ATO as well. I've never used them for this purpose, and for some odd reason didn't even think of it until seeing it mentioned here, but have used one for chlorine injection on my pool and can attest they are a heavy duty pump anyway. Comparing my past variable to a neighbor's fixed his was much quieter, but if in the garage who cares? I'm pretty much settled on a Stenner, but not yet purchased one yet for this so I'll be watching this thread as well. Bummer is I sold the one I HAD when I changed to a salt water chlorine generator for the pool

 

[Jstaff123]

Thanks for the input, and I think you've got a good plan. I'm currently using a Neptune Dos for AWC, but I have a 600 gallon setup and it's having to run a lot throughout the day, so a more heavy duty option like a Stenner makes more sense.

I currently run 2 Cole Parmer pumps for a calcium reactor and sulphur reactor, and they are incredible pumps and built like a tank. However you can get a Stenner new for the price of a used CP, so that is what makes me lean toward the Stenner. (although my used CP's are 18 and 19 years old, and still run like champs).

 

[elFloyd]

I use a Stenner pump for ATO. My set is similar to yours: RODI and Stenner in the garage, pumping RODI up to the attic, over and down into the sump. This is controlled by an Apex with float switches connected to an older break out box.

It works great!

I have a double head Masterflex for AWC, but found the water volume differs between the heads. Today I sent Stenner an email asking if there double head pumps would meet our water change requirements.

Stenners are louder that the Masterflex... but as you said... its in the garage and doesn't matter.

 

[slief]

Just saw this post.. Yes, I run a Stenner for my ATO. They are about the most bullet proof peristaltic pump you can buy. They will pump water around the block and back. They are also self priming which is nice. The only thing I would point out is that they are very noisy. Not the kind of pump you would want running in your living room. Since your will be in the garage, that won't be an issue.


Mine is controlled by my Apex. I have it run for 15 minutes at a time every time my float switches activate. Mine is an 85GPD pump so that results in under a gallon of water which isn't much given the size of my sumps but is enough to insure that my ATO only comes on a few times a day. As I said, these pumps are bullet proof. They are built for commercial dosing applications and are widely used in the pool industry for chlorine dosing. As such, they are very well suited for ATO use on larger tanks and will last many many years in our applications.

 

[gus6464]

I have a dual head one that I am setting up for auto water change.

 

[Jstaff123]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I went ahead and took the plunge, and have the 85gpd model on its way.

Slief, is there a benefit you're seeing from running fewer but larger ato top offs, or is it just personal preference? I am running the tunze ato with the switchable socket outlet, and just ran a control wire through the attic to the garage that turns on/off the garage pump like a normal ato pump..however I'm aways open to hearing about different ways of doing something.

 

[Jstaff123]

Nice, keep me posted on your findings once you have it operational

I have a dual head one that I am setting up for auto water change.

 

[Jstaff123]

Glad to hear you've also had success with a similar setup.. Definitely feeling good about my purchase now after hearing from you guys.

With the Masterflex dual heads, was it a sizeable difference in volumes? I've wondered about that, and seems like if you're using the same tubing on both, it must be differences in the length of the tubing runs that causes the difference...therefore you'd have to correct with different size tubing on one head, or some sort of valving to mimic the head pressure the longer run is seeing.

I use a Stenner pump for ATO. My set is similar to yours: RODI and Stenner in the garage, pumping RODI up to the attic, over and down into the sump. This is controlled by an Apex with float switches connected to an older break out box.

It works great!

I have a double head Masterflex for AWC, but found the water volume differs between the heads. Today I sent Stenner an email asking if there double head pumps would meet our water change requirements.

Stenners are louder that the Masterflex... but as you said... its in the garage and doesn't matter.

 

[slief]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I went ahead and took the plunge, and have the 85gpd model on its way.

Slief, is there a benefit you're seeing from running fewer but larger ato top offs, or is it just personal preference? I am running the tunze ato with the switchable socket outlet, and just ran a control wire through the attic to the garage that turns on/off the garage pump like a normal ato pump..however I'm aways open to hearing about different ways of doing something.

There is no real advantage from a tank perspective however there may be from a pump longevity standpoint. I have fairly high evaporation rates but my sump and below tank refugium have a fairly high surface area at about 2500 sq inches. I have my ATO programmed to require my ATO float switches to be in the "add water" mode for 3 consecutive minutes before activating the ATO pump. This insures that the ATO activates when it's really needed and not from any turbulence in the sump. Under normal circumstances, my ATO pump will run for about 6 minutes to do the top off process. By running it for 15 minutes it cuts the on/off frequency by a bit more than half. In my opinion, fewer on/off cycles is easier on by EB8 oulet and probably easier on the pumps power supply to a certain extent. In my case, that extra 8 or 9 minutes of run time doesn't have a visibly measurable impact on my sump height due to the volume of my sump and refugium.