WTT: Chem-Tech / Reef Filler Dosing pump for a different kind

[jeemann99]

I just purchased a 2 day new dosing pump called the chem-tech and is exactly like the reef filler dosing pump. I want to trade it for a Aqau Medic Dual dosing pump. Or if some one has a single, but must come with the float system I would trade for that instead.

Let me know
Garrick
630-878-7898

 

[mhurley]

I love my Chem-tech so this is a bump for a great pump....Mine's been running 24/7 for over 5 years topping off my tank. (I don't use floats, I just set the pump to match my evap rate and adjust every few months as needed).

 

[ostrow]

Yes, my Reef-Filler on Steroids, as I call it, is the best.

 

[AuroraDave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9194406#post9194406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
Yes, my Reef-Filler on Steroids, as I call it, is the best.

Joel, it sounds like you know both.
Are the reeffiller and Chem-tech dosers the same or is there a difference?

 

[ostrow]

Same manufacturer. But when I called Chem-Tech before buying my pump, and described the configuration of the Reef-Filler, they put me to a tech guy, who asked me to send a photo of the Reef-Filler, and he said it is not their head and according to the specs of the pump itself it can fail to hold its prime. The Chem-Tech's proper come with bleed valves, or if you get the Premium (I think that is what they call it, somehting with P -- professional, premier, you get the idea) model it is self-priming and automatic every time.

HTH

 

[ostrow]

"Steriods" by the way refers to the fact that I got the "P" series and at 30GPD, I'm running it at about 12% of max. This should extend the life of the pump by a factor of 10, as life is determined by number of pulses.

 

[AuroraDave]

Good info. Thanks.
My reef filler has a bleeder, but it isn't automatic. I've always kept it completly shut tho. Interestingly, mine is very quiet, yet I've read many times how their main downside is that their noisy??? I cant complain.

 

[Rod Buehler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9195585#post9195585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AuroraDave
Good info. Thanks.
My reef filler has a bleeder, but it isn't automatic. I've always kept it completly shut tho. Interestingly, mine is very quiet, yet I've read many times how their main downside is that their noisy??? I cant complain.

I also love my reef filers. As to the noise, its a little bit of hit and miss. All of the 3 GPD are queit. many of the 7 gpd are a little noisy. My 30 gpd is more quiet than the 7 gpd units that I use. All of the units have bleed valves, and they are all (usually) self priming, but sometimes needs a little help. I have seen some units where you can adjust the length of the stroke. Garriks Chem-tech, and Canar has a different reef filler where the stroke can be adjusted. I wouldnt trade my units for a parastaltic pump

 

[ostrow]

Rod that is interesting. The stock photos of the ones sold with the Reef-Filler label show no bleed valve, yet descriptions are that they are self priming.
See this for example:

http://www.toofishy.com/product.php?productid=18460&cat=520&page=1

The Chem-Tech folk say that head is not theirs, and that this can't be self-priming.

Only Champion Lighting shows the Chem-Tech head on the pump (I'm guessing, Rod, you got yours from them?)

BTW: the reeffiller.com website is no more, so I wonder now what the status of that brand label is?

 

[AuroraDave]

My ReefFiller looks like the one in the picture, although it does not show the "Y" connector that screws on top. The Y has a bleed valve and the output.

 

[ostrow]

If yours has the bleed valve that is good. The configuration in the picture, the Chem-Tech guy told me, is not a good idea at all.

 

[Rod Buehler]

I have been through about 30 reef fillers and every one of them had the bleed valve. The bleed valve is not needed in our situations. The only reason for the bleed valve would be if you were pumping into a sealed/pressurized vessel.

The picture shown in the link is simply a rfeef filler that has not been completely set up. Thats what they look like out of the box. Their is a protective cap in place in that photo. Simply remove that cap.. Screw on th e"y" bleed valve... Install the suction and discharge lines. Viola a reliable dosing pump

 

[ostrow]

Rod: well, that makes sense now!

Though the Chem-Tech guy insisted that in any application, and he understood our s perfectly, the bleed or I forget what they call mine is essential for priming.

 

[jeemann99]

Mine has the bleed valve option or I can go straight through. My model is up to 7GPD

 

[Rod Buehler]

well I am still guessing that he didnt understand the app very well.

If the reef filler is pumping into a pressurized tank, then there is too much pressure in the line to allow the pump to start/prime, but in our application where we are dripping into an open tank from above , there is no pressure, so the pump/diaphragm has plenty of power to push the air through the lines and allow the pump to prime. Hope that made sense

 

[Rod Buehler]

Let me back up a bit...

and they are all (usually) self priming, but sometimes needs a little help

I have , _on occasion_ had to get a little water into the suction line. Its very simple. Simply grab ahold of the suction line while its under water and jerk it up and down in a motion that most males are familiar with. The check valves will allow the water in the tubing on the downward stroke of the jerking motion but not allow the water out on the upstroke.

 

[jeemann99]

Here is a pic of mine.

Rod - so, is it ok to use the straight through output vs. the the one with the bleed valve? like the way I have in the pic. Osterow the Chem Tech guy also told me the same thing to use the bleed valve to prime.

 

[ostrow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9198357#post9198357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rod Buehler
jerk it up and down in a motion that most males are familiar with.

:eek2:

You'll go blind!

Garrick -- you are offering a great deal. Never meant to hijack but to promote this fantastic pump to folks. Good luck!

 

[jeemann99]

np ostrow

 

[AuroraDave]

Garrick now I can see the 2nd dial you were talking about. I only have one on my ReefFiller. What is the 2nd dial for?