Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > General Interest Forums > Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 02/06/2014, 10:18 AM   #76
meshwheel
Registered Member
 
meshwheel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,430
Nice job Ty!.........................STAY THIRSTY MY FRIEND....................


__________________
............And then the cops showed up
meshwheel is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/06/2014, 05:12 PM   #77
Pseudo69
Registered Member
 
Pseudo69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: New York City
Posts: 372
Thanks CW.


Pseudo69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/11/2014, 01:57 PM   #78
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Sweet! Looks great. Well oiled machine! Any updates?

As far as noise is concerned going to a brushless unit is the answer. They are silent.

Changing the bearings in the pump head is straight forward. I suggest a nice Japanese bearing if your supply house has them but they should be available locally.

Changing brushes on a brushed unit is straight forward. I have actually seen replacements at Ace Hardware... You should still be able to order from CP or find the brushes surplus if you want originals.

Taking the motor itself apart is a bit more complex but if it does have bad bearings (still crunchy with brushes and gearing removed) they can be replaced. I have never done so and if I did would probably take it to a specialist for service.

I have an old brushed unit for my ATO pump. The thing sounds like pure hell. Pumps just fine . It could be a good candidate for a rebuild.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Haksar View Post
Sorry I am a bit confused does this mean I need to lower the ph in the controller for the regulator to run continuously without dropping the BPM.
Ultimately, you want the AP regulator to run continuously. With this setup there is no need to worry about the ph changing on you randomly. You are supplying a metered amount of water and gas. The ph probe should be there only as a meter and to make adjustment easy. On my setup the controller is set to turn off the reactor should ph drop to 6.3. Since I run my reactor at 6.5 it never turns the regulator off.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 02/11/2014 at 02:16 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/11/2014, 02:35 PM   #79
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
How I tune my reactor.

Everyone will come up with their own way but this is how I do it using arm standard (fine) media. Tune to Alk not calcium. If you have a stable Alk and sufficient magnesium (3x calcium) then calcium will remain stable. So again test for all 3 but focus mainly on Alk(dKh).

-Test Tank
-Run CaRx for a few hours without gas at 30ml/min.
-Make sure Regulator is set low and slowly turn on the bottle.
-Set bubble count to about 30BPM
-Slowly increase gas pressure until it reaches a chamber ph of 6.5
-Test Tank
*If levels are falling
-Increase both gas flow and effluent flow by the same percent. Raise to 35ml/min and 35BPM.
-Test Tank
*If levels are still falling repeat until tank is close to stable.
-Test Tank
-Make fine adjustments to the regulator via gas pressure or bpm to achieve stability.
-Test Tank
*Once levels are stable adjust levels of tank via 2part.
-Test Tank
*Once tank remains stable adjust the regulator such that you try to reduce pressure and increase bubble count. a 50% decrease in pressure (15-7.5psi) is equal to a 100% increase in bubble count (30BPM-60BPM).

Test often at first and at least every week from then on out. Keep a log book of your test results and what changes you made. You will be surprised at what you learn about your tank, its consumption, and your husbandry.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/12/2014, 09:24 AM   #80
EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
 
EvMiBo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ft. Myers, FL
Posts: 1,929
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by tkeracer619
*Once tank remains stable adjust the regulator such that you try to reduce pressure and increase bubble count. a 50% decrease in pressure (15-7.5psi) is equal to a 100% increase in bubble count (30BPM-60BPM)

If you don't mind, can you elaborate on this some?


__________________
Evan | DSA 135g Peninsula
EvMiBo is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/14/2014, 09:28 AM   #81
EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
 
EvMiBo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ft. Myers, FL
Posts: 1,929
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

I'm not sure if this is the right area to ask, but since there are several masterflex users here I hope someone can help... My pump started to squeak yesterday and it's kind of driving me nuts. Is there some grease I can use, and/or should I replace some parts?

Fwiw it's a 7520-25 with quick load head. Unit is out of production but they have a modern equivalent.


__________________
Evan | DSA 135g Peninsula

Last edited by EvMiBo; 02/14/2014 at 09:34 AM.
EvMiBo is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/14/2014, 03:18 PM   #82
hkgar
Registered Member
 
hkgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by EvMiBo View Post
I'm not sure if this is the right area to ask, but since there are several masterflex users here I hope someone can help... My pump started to squeak yesterday and it's kind of driving me nuts. Is there some grease I can use, and/or should I replace some parts?

Fwiw it's a 7520-25 with quick load head. Unit is out of production but they have a modern equivalent.
I Have the same pump and mine started squeaking a week ago. Must be something going around.


__________________
Gary


180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx

Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels
hkgar is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/14/2014, 06:02 PM   #83
EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
 
EvMiBo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ft. Myers, FL
Posts: 1,929
Quote:
Originally Posted by hkgar View Post
I Have the same pump and mine started squeaking a week ago. Must be something going around.

Let me know how you go about it!


__________________
Evan | DSA 135g Peninsula
EvMiBo is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/14/2014, 06:50 PM   #84
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
You need to determine where the squeak comes from. Usually it is the brushes.

Pull the pump head. Did the noise go away?
No, next step. Yes, replace the bearings in the pump head. Clean and re-grease rollers. The rollers should be greased with a penetrating grease (not wd40). Once the grease sprays onto the rollers and soaks in it thickens into actual grease. Use synthetic grease.
Pull the gearing. Did the noise go away?
No, next step. Yes, clean and re-grease the gear set. Use synthetic grease.
Replace the brushes.
No, Next step. Yes, crack a beer.
Motor bearings probably need service. Take to motor repair shop or put up with the squeaking. I've got one that looks like it was removed from a trash dump, screams like hell but has been working like that for at least 3 or 4 years 24/7 so I wouldn't worry too much in regards to the pump being faulty.

If you want silent you are better off forking over the cash for a brushless unit.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 02/14/2014 at 06:55 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/14/2014, 06:52 PM   #85
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Quote:
Originally Posted by EvMiBo View Post
If you don't mind, can you elaborate on this some?
I prefer to run a lower pressure with more bubbles into the reactors. It helps dissolve the gas easier. A simple eye ball figure for adjusting it down is cut pressure in half, double bubble rate. It might not be perfect and may require a bit of fine tuning after the adjustments but will get you in the ballpark.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/14/2014, 11:31 PM   #86
zachts
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St. Louis, MO.
Posts: 3,259
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkeracer619 View Post
You need to determine where the squeak comes from. Usually it is the brushes.

Pull the pump head. Did the noise go away?
No, next step. Yes, replace the bearings in the pump head. Clean and re-grease rollers. The rollers should be greased with a penetrating grease (not wd40). Once the grease sprays onto the rollers and soaks in it thickens into actual grease. Use synthetic grease.
Pull the gearing. Did the noise go away?
No, next step. Yes, clean and re-grease the gear set. Use synthetic grease.
Replace the brushes.
No, Next step. Yes, crack a beer.
Motor bearings probably need service. Take to motor repair shop or put up with the squeaking. I've got one that looks like it was removed from a trash dump, screams like hell but has been working like that for at least 3 or 4 years 24/7 so I wouldn't worry too much in regards to the pump being faulty.

If you want silent you are better off forking over the cash for a brushless unit.
Don't some of those pumps use a belt drive motor inside the box housing? could be the source of the squeak?

Where do you get said penetrating grease? I've got a pump head that needs re-greased after cleaning. Some salt water got into the pump head after a tube break. wasn't in there long and has been rinsed and dried but I I think it will need re-greased as a lot of the grease wiped off of the roller ends as I was drying it off (hopefully nothing got into the rollers, I'd hate to have to scrap it.....)


zachts is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/19/2014, 02:23 AM   #87
chema
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 210
I have talked to some experts in peristaltic pumps and they all agree that running them 24/7 shortens considerably the life expectancy of the motor that runs the pump. No matter the quality of it. The advise is to run these pumps on and off for 30 minutes or 1 h periods. According to this, do you think it would be a good idea to run two pumps alternating the on and off periods?


chema is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/19/2014, 10:12 AM   #88
das75
Registered Member
 
das75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 2,269
Quote:
Originally Posted by chema View Post
I have talked to some experts in peristaltic pumps and they all agree that running them 24/7 shortens considerably the life expectancy of the motor that runs the pump. No matter the quality of it. The advise is to run these pumps on and off for 30 minutes or 1 h periods. According to this, do you think it would be a good idea to run two pumps alternating the on and off periods?
of course if something runs 24/7, it's life is shortened compared to a reduced duty cycle but what does it mean? I run it a 100% I get 10 years from it rather than 20y, or 3 months rather than 6? What the manufactor's spec?


__________________
.

Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.
das75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/19/2014, 02:39 PM   #89
hkgar
Registered Member
 
hkgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by das75 View Post
of course if something runs 24/7, it's life is shortened compared to a reduced duty cycle but what does it mean? I run it a 100% I get 10 years from it rather than 20y, or 3 months rather than 6? What the manufactor's spec?
Either way you get the same run time.

For the other poster:

One pump running 3 months if continuous or 2 pumps each "lasting" 6 months. Therefore either way 2 pumps over 6 months.


__________________
Gary


180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx

Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels
hkgar is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/19/2014, 02:50 PM   #90
das75
Registered Member
 
das75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 2,269
what I'm trying to get at is what's the life of these pumps that cost thousands new? If all one can expect is a few months from a continually running a Masterflex is that $20 Aqualifter is looking pretty good. If it's years then not really worth the effort of having 2 pumps running on alternate cycles.


__________________
.

Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.
das75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/19/2014, 03:10 PM   #91
hkgar
Registered Member
 
hkgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by das75 View Post
what I'm trying to get at is what's the life of these pumps that cost thousands new? If all one can expect is a few months from a continually running a Masterflex is that $20 Aqualifter is looking pretty good. If it's years then not really worth the effort of having 2 pumps running on alternate cycles.
Well, mine has been running continuously for about 1 year. Masterrflex 7520-50


__________________
Gary


180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx

Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels
hkgar is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/19/2014, 06:00 PM   #92
zachts
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St. Louis, MO.
Posts: 3,259
the specs should list operational life of the motor/gears/even pump heads, if you can't find it call them. I'd bet it is in the 100,000 plus hour range if the tubing alone can be rated for over 5000 hours.......


zachts is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/20/2014, 03:00 AM   #93
chema
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 210
Quote:
Originally Posted by zachts View Post
the specs should list operational life of the motor/gears/even pump heads, if you can't find it call them. I'd bet it is in the 100,000 plus hour range if the tubing alone can be rated for over 5000 hours.......
Problem is, according to the Williamson pumps specialist I talked to, that the operational time depends a lot on the environment conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) and the conditions of use. He told me that the best way to run a peristaltic pump in a "close-to-continuous-way" is 30 mins ON 30 mins OFF. In that way the motor gearbox is allowed to cool down and the pump may operate fine for years. Otherwise you may have problems (squeaking noises for instance) after a few weeks or months.

Put in other words. Let's solve this problem. How many matches can play a basketball player during his professional career? How many matches can play the same basketball player one after the other, with no rest in between?


chema is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/20/2014, 09:13 AM   #94
das75
Registered Member
 
das75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 2,269
Quote:
Originally Posted by chema View Post
Put in other words. Let's solve this problem. How many matches can play a basketball player during his professional career? How many matches can play the same basketball player one after the other, with no rest in between?
poor analogy, man doesn't have a 100% duty cycle, pumps can be designed for it.


__________________
.

Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.
das75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/20/2014, 11:04 AM   #95
EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
 
EvMiBo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ft. Myers, FL
Posts: 1,929
Masterflex peristaltic pumps have been proven to last for multiple years at a time. Most of which are used. That speaks pretty well to how these are designed to last, and work extremely well with a calcium reactor.

That being said, shouldn't discussion stay on the subject of how they're being used on calcium reactors?


__________________
Evan | DSA 135g Peninsula
EvMiBo is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/20/2014, 11:52 AM   #96
das75
Registered Member
 
das75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 2,269
Quote:
Originally Posted by EvMiBo View Post
That being said, shouldn't discussion stay on the subject of how they're being used on calcium reactors?
Life of unit and if duel config required seems staying on topic


__________________
.

Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.
das75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/20/2014, 02:30 PM   #97
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
100% duty cycle = 100% duty cycle.

Folks, these pumps are rated for continuous duty. You can run them 100% of the time for years. The gearsets do not get hot, the motors do not get hot, the controllers do not get hot. They do not need a break. That is the point of recommending these pumps.

There is no point arguing the definition of duty cycles here in this thread. If it needs a break its not rated at 100% duty and if it is the rating is a lie. Cole Parmer Masterflex drive are absolutely rated at 100% duty.

For the record my digital drive that I picked up used has over 45,000 hours of continuous operation while in my possession. No idea total run time. My older brushed unit has been in operation the same amount of time but showed tons of abuse from the previous owner, squeaks, and rattles like heck, but has never failed to operate as advertised.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/21/2014, 11:56 AM   #98
chema
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 210
Quote:
Originally Posted by das75 View Post
poor analogy, man doesn't have a 100% duty cycle, pumps can be designed for it.
You may know what pumps have been designed for but ¿do you know what man was designed for?

Just joking. You are right, the analogy was poor


chema is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/21/2014, 12:07 PM   #99
chema
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 210
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkeracer619 View Post
For the record my digital drive that I picked up used has over 45,000 hours of continuous operation while in my possession. No idea total run time. My older brushed unit has been in operation the same amount of time but showed tons of abuse from the previous owner, squeaks, and rattles like heck, but has never failed to operate as advertised.
My reef is in the dining room and my equipment is almost noiseless. To me operate as advertised is not only that the pump runs for several years, but also that it runs as noiseless as it did the very first day. If it "squeaks and rattles like heck" that sounds to me as a failure in operation. The problem when you buy second hand is that most of the times you do not know whether the equipment has been abused or not and how much operational time it accumulates. I have checked several e-bay offers for used masterflex pumps but I do not remember seeing indication of the total number of hours the pumps had been used and the environmental conditions under which they had been used.


chema is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/21/2014, 03:09 PM   #100
hkgar
Registered Member
 
hkgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
I need to grease the bearings in my 7520. What grease would you recommend?


__________________
Gary


180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx

Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels
hkgar is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.