SpectraPure LiterMeter III experience?

[ReefLife1680]

what's the verdict?

[240-Reefer]

cant help, but I am picking one up next week. so I would like to here this one too.

[javajaws]

I've got one...works great to replace evap water. You'll have to adjust it slightly throughout the year as your evap rate changes.

The pump is a little louder than I thought it would be when it is on...but at least you can put it pretty much anywhere.

[ReefLife1680]

240-Reefer ... where are you getting yours from? How much? I got a friend who can hook it up for $281 (new) no taxes. The noise issue may be a problem so i'm hesitant now.


javajaws ... how loud is 'loud'? Can i put it in my room - my tank is located in my bedroom. is the noise consistent like a fan or is it like a laptop .. on and off??

[javajaws]

Depending on your evap rate, it only runs a few seconds every few minutes. Its not really "loud", but noticeable because of the on/off nature.

[ReefLife1680]

javajaws ... I was actually thinking of running the unit 24/7. Are these pumps designed to run 24/7??

[elosusa]

yeah, they run 24/7 but only for intervals. You can put it to "ON" but I think that is more for purging the line and the initial setup. The "run" setting has a set amount of times (150) it will dose, you set the amount you want to dose in a 24 hr. period. So if you set it for 5 liters a day it will divide that by the 150 times it doses. It would be too loud to run on the "Run" setting, that would drive you crazy. A cole-parmer pump would be better for that. What are you dosing?

[ReefLife1680]

RO into my reactor. So THAT'S what they mean by the 150 times dosing.

elosusa ... that actually makes A LOT of sense! either way, I don't really care so long as the 5 lieters (or watever I set it at) gets into the tank a day, i'm happy :). Now all i have to worry about is the noise level ... will it be louder than my laptop is the question ...

[elosusa]

yep

[javajaws]

Yes, louder than a laptop.

[elosusa]

what type of reactor? Oops, just looked at your other post it is a Kalk reactor. That is what I use it for. I also realized that you are from Socal. Here I am helping you figure out your dosing situation and you are stealing our water :strooper:

[ReefLife1680]

calcium maybe even hook it to run a kalk with the expandable module ... 2 in 1

[ReefLife1680]

javajaws ... louder than a laptop huh? At least it doesn't stay on consistently??

[javajaws]

You can put it on a timer to only run during certain times of the day if it turns out to be a problem at night.

[elosusa]

I was surprised how loud it was too. The cole-parmer pump I have on that tank is very quite.

[ReefLife1680]

cole-parmer? psi rating? hyper to where you bought it?

[javajaws]

Yeah, I think most people that use LiterMeters typically have very large/noisy tanks (or have fishrooms) and don't notice the sound. Mine is in a cabinet in my living room and sits a couple of feet from my recliner....I notice it. I really should move it out and into my pantry where my FW reservoir is...

[ReefLife1680]

javajaws ... the settings aren't reset when it looses power right? timer is loking like a good idea too then - run during the day and turn off at night.

[ReefLife1680]

javajaws ... moving it would not be a problem b/c it is designed to pump such far distacnes correct?

[elosusa]

Do a search for them here. It is a peristaltic pump, similar to litermeter but in industrial strength. Ebay will have them. Not sure of the PSI but I know it will do whatever you need it to. I have pumped glycerin through it no problem. I own a schuran reactor and a lot of folks with this reactor use them. I will see if I have any old information or links. The guy I bought mine from only had a few and that was a while ago.

[javajaws]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6559154#post6559154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefLife1680
javajaws ... moving it would not be a problem b/c it is designed to pump such far distacnes correct?

Correct...it currently pulls water from my pantry, but it's just located on the aquarium end, not the reservoir end. I don't think it matters if it is pulling water from 20' of tubing or pushing water through 20'.

[ReefLife1680]

elosusa ..thanks for the info. will lookin into it ...

[ReefLife1680]

javajaws ... push or pull 20' same thing. Makes sense from teh spectrapure website. is it really 20' capacity or what that a hypo. # you threw out?

[ReefLife1680]

elosusa ... do you have a model # or name of the pump? how much did you buy it for?

[elosusa]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=397189&perpage=25&highlight=schuran&pagenumber=6

This is the one I have. This thread is has a bunch of info on it about these pumps.

[ReefLife1680]

elosusa ... i'm just looking for a dosing pump to feed my reactor not vital liquids. LOL that thing looks VERY dependable

[elosusa]

Some will call them masterflex pumps. If you buy them new they are crazy, 600 and up. I got mine new for 130 shipped. As you can see from that link they were labeled for the company this guy got them from, so I have no idea of the model #. The important thing is the flow rates. That thread will help you with that. Here is the article that Ewan posted on that thread, very informative. http://www.reeftank.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-67.html

[ReefLife1680]

elosusa ... so i need to buy the pump itself separate from the head. A little complicated but worth looking into. Will have to read the article in more deatil when i get a chance. Thanks for the info!

[javajaws]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6559190#post6559190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefLife1680
javajaws ... push or pull 20' same thing. Makes sense from teh spectrapure website. is it really 20' capacity or what that a hypo. # you threw out?

No typo...its probably a little longer than that in fact. I've heard of people pumping water alot farther than that with these things.

[ReefLife1680]

javajaws ... you came back! LOL. thanks for the clarification. Was looking into the Cole Parmer pumps but now i'm not sure ... just want to get a dosing pump and be done with it!

[ReefLife1680]

so many options ... what to do what to do ..

[javajaws]

Get the LiterMeter and run it on a timer if need be (it won't lose the settings). If you don't like it, you can always get a good price for it lightly used. You would be amazed where you can put one of these things and where you can run 1/4" tubing through...

[Ereefic]

I recieved one a few weeks ago. I bought the LMIII because I was going to have a resivour in the basement and pump up to the first floor for a kalk reactor. It is a nice unit and I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

[ReefLife1680]

javajaws ... that's a very good point. I think i'm jusg going to get it and try to hide it somewhere or somehting along those lines ...

[ReefLife1680]

Ereefic ... thanks for the advice. Make choices a lot easier when you have fellow reefers advising you instead of a salesman LOL

[Ereefic]

What is also nice is we had 2 tank (tore one down, but will be setting up again soon), so I can get an additional pump head and dose both tanks, with there respected settings from the same control unit. :)

LM's are pricey, but totally worth it IMO.

[ReefLife1680]

Ereefic ... that's what I was thinking. The unit is expandable in a sense. I think that's what i'm going with. 99% sure (have to reserve 1% b/c i'm just skeptical like that LOL) ...

[elosusa]

The timer option is a good one. The only reason I run both the medical pump and the litermeter is because I got it so cheap and I need to run the Ca reactor all day. Like everyone else I agree that you can find ways to hide the LMIII and it is a good pump. If you travel it is a lot better than the float switch route and you don't have to worry about siphoning when it is off. Like Ereefic says, it keeps it setting when it turns back on. Jesse

[ReefLife1680]

elosusa ... keeping the settings after a power loss is a good thing to have. The MaseterFlex was a good suggestion but info is just so limited out there I'm sure I could figure it out eventually but am stuck with time limitations right now ... maybe in the future (those things look VERY heavy duty - I LIKE).

[elosusa]

yep, It was a pain getting mine. I am not a big "ebay guy". I kinda like to know what I am getting and who I am getting from. Mechanically they are the same type of pump, it's just the construction that is different. Like I said, I run them both on one system and if you get the LM III now you can do the shopping around for the masterflex pump if you decide to run a Ca reactor. Even that aqualifter works for most Ca reactors. Jesse

[ReefLife1680]

elosusa ... good idea. I might just look for the masterflex on downtime and if i ever decide to run a reactor, i'll probably go with that one. The aqualifter did not work for me, that's why i'm going with the LMIII - not enough psi to push water through there ...

[jt_redmist]

Can the LMIII be used to feed a Ca reactor? The turning on 150 times a day got me a little confused, because if that's the case it wouldn't be a constant flow, right?

[ReefLife1680]

jt_redmist ... that is actually what everyone uses them for. From what I understand, you set the # liters you want the sytstem to get dosed and it will just take that # and divide by 150 and automatically turn itself on, dose the appropriate amount, turn off and repeat throughout the day ...

elosusa & Ereefic & javajaws ... chime in to confirm/correct my explanation? They currently run them on their tanks ... :)

[javajaws]

I use mine for evap topoff only currently. I do know some people use dosing pumps for feeding a Ca reactor, but not sure how many use LiterMeters vs. something else though.

[ReefLife1680]

I know the LMIIIs put out 40+ psi ... as opposed to the mdeical dosing pumps (put out about 15 psi). If the medical dosing pump works for reactors ... i don't see why the LMIII wouldn't?

is that valid reasoning javajaws?

[jt_redmist]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I'll be using it mainly for topoff, but would like to know that feature is there. I'm so close to putting in my order :D

[javajaws]

I don't think you'll have to worry about the LM pump not being able to handle the pressue of the reactor....shouldn't be an issue.

[ReefLife1680]

jt_redmist .. where are you buying it from? I'm looking to get one too ... just still on the fence about it (99% sure though)

[Ereefic]

You are correct, it doses 150 times per day.

I don't know how well they would work on a calcium reactor with the constant on/off. You want the pH inside the reactor to remain steady, and with nothing coming out of the reactor when the pump is off, yet co2 still going in, don't know how that would work.

I just 'T'd off of my return line, tapped in a JG fitting, and supply my CR that way, works great and easy enough to do.

I tried an aqualifter on a CR, but had less than stellar results.

[elosusa]

I use my LM III for top off only. I wouldn't want to run it for a Ca reactor because I want water circulating through it constantly. Just checked the psi for outlet pressure and it says 20 psi on my medical pump. I can't imagine the LMIII is better at pressure than the medical pump. The reason why these types of pumps can handle so much pressure is because they are not "pumping" water like a standard water pump. They are simply using a wheel with rollers on it that pinches the tubing as it rolls. The advantage is they don't get clogged since they are not in contact with liquid and they prevent siphoning because the tubing is always being pinched. Hope that helps.

[ReefLife1680]

How much PSI DOES an aqualifter offer

[jt_redmist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566250#post6566250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by javajaws
I don't think you'll have to worry about the LM pump not being able to handle the pressue of the reactor....shouldn't be an issue.

I'm not concerned that it can't handle the pressure. My concern is that it needs to supply the reactor with a constant flow, so the Co2 does not build up :)

[jt_redmist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566253#post6566253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefLife1680
jt_redmist .. where are you buying it from? I'm looking to get one too ... just still on the fence about it (99% sure though)

I haven't looked around that much, but right now Premiumaquatics has them in stock and seems to be the lowest so far.

[Ereefic]

I don't think the aqualifter has much PSI, since it isn't able to draw very far at all.

In regards to the pressure of the LMIII, this is from there website.

"The pump's planetary direct drive is at an 11:1 ratio, thus providing enough torque to generate over 40 pounds of pressure. This incredible lift enables the LiterMeter IIIâ„¢ to pump over 60 feet above itself at a flow rate of over 250 ml/min. It can also draw up from 25 feet below."

[elosusa]

are you setting up a Ca reactor for the first time, jt?

[jt_redmist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566384#post6566384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elosusa
are you setting up a Ca reactor for the first time, jt?

No, my Ca reactor is already up and running. The reason I'm looking into feeding the reactor with the LMIII is due to some erratic effluent flow coming out. I don't think this is the reactors fault, but rather the way I'm feeding it. But that's a different topic. I'm hoping by using the LMIII to feed the reactor I would get a more consistent effluent flow.

[ReefLife1680]

I never really though about the CO1 problem ... i guess everything on the LMIII looks good except the CO2 buildup then ...

[elosusa]

I'm thinking it could be done but it would be a lot of "tweaking" to get it right. I think you would have to have your co2 on a solenoid and controller and it would be a pain. Did you see the stuff about the medical pump earlier in this thread? This is the best way.

[Ereefic]

Return line ---> 'T' ---> JG fitting ---> JG Valve ---> RO tubing line to the reactor

This works awesome and will cost you around $10. The only problem I had with this set-up was media clogging my output from the reactor to the sump. Otherwise, kept good drip rate.

[ReefLife1680]

elosusa ... i think medical dosing pumps are expensive and faily unreliable. IMHO that's why i'm going with the LMIII but for a calcium reactor what is the equivalent to a LMIII ... masterflex :)?

[jt_redmist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566429#post6566429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefLife1680
I never really though about the CO1 problem ... i guess everything on the LMIII looks good except the CO2 buildup then ...

I don't mean to confuse you about the LMIII. It has nothing to do with Co2. The Co2 part I was talking about was my Ca reactor.

[elosusa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566461#post6566461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ereefic
Return line ---> 'T' ---> JG fitting ---> JG Valve ---> RO tubing line to the reactor

This works awesome and will cost you around $10. The only problem I had with this set-up was media clogging my output from the reactor to the sump. Otherwise, kept good drip rate.
that is the standard way to do it. I think for most reactors this is a good option, and it is very inexpensive. For the reactor I have, some people have problems keeping it steady. But I agree this should be the first attempt.

[ReefLife1680]

jt_redmist ... yeah. I was refering to the LMIII's ability to move water being OK for the CA reactor but the fact that it doesn't move water consistently allows the CO2 being fed to the reactor to build up ... sorry for the confusion

[elosusa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566476#post6566476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefLife1680
elosusa ... i think medical dosing pumps are expensive and faily unreliable. IMHO that's why i'm going with the LMIII but for a calcium reactor what is the equivalent to a LMIII ... masterflex :)?
Yeah the masterflex. Some of those medical pumps are not made for constant use.

[ReefLife1680]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566537#post6566537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elosusa
not for constant use.

EXACTLY why i looked into the masterflex and LMIII :)

[jt_redmist]

Well, as mentioned before I would use the LMIII mainly for topoff. I just placed the order and now it's waiting for the brown truck :D

[ReefLife1680]

jt_redmist .. thanks for the PM :)

[elosusa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566597#post6566597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jt_redmist
Well, as mentioned before I would use the LMIII mainly for topoff. I just placed the order and now it's waiting for the brown truck :D
good choice. Dublin? We are right next to each other. Pleasanton, here. Where do you shop around here?