The155BowFrontBuild

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Ecotech is going to be sending out a replacement: "We will be sending you out a warranty replacement fitting/connector kit for your Versa pump that will resolve the issue you are having."

I attempted to ask if there is an issue with drawing fluid from a pressurized container....but didn't really get an answer.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Ok this is strange, this was Ecotech's response:

"You can still continue to run the pump however you may just keep running into the same issue with losing your prime on the pump. You are able to run the Versa with a Calcium Reactor as that is one of it's intended uses."

Sooooooooo, I can continue to use it for one of it's intended uses, but it may (will) continue to lose prime?? Insert sarcasm: VERY REASSURING......

 

[halmus]

I may be missing something so please forgive me if I missed it. You’re pushing water into the system with a small pump and then regulating output with the peristaltic pump?

I would be tempted to just switch the peristaltic pump to just push water through rather than pull. Possibly no need for the other pump. Keep the peristaltic as close to the water source (sump) as possible.

My peristaltic pump sucks water through but I’ve been told it has enough pressure capacity to blow out seals if the outlet gets plugged. Hence, suck water through rather than push it through. There is no pump on the inlet. It just sucks. Through two stages.


For you-
What’s the worst that can happen if you set it to push rather than pull? I doubt it would ever blow seals. BUT if you’re worried about that, you have a couple options:

-set the pump to push water through and set the entire CaRx into a Tupperware container to contain the mess.

-buy a cheepo WatchDog sensor from a local box store. Set it in the Tupperware t alert if there’s a problem. It sends an audible alarm if it detects water.

-or go the Apex route (or whatever you’re using) and purchase their water sensor alarms that turn off the feed pump to the reactor and alert you.

-or, if you have an Apex, you can probably tie the Watchdog sensor into Apex digital inputs (if you already have some available). I did that on my last system before Apex came out with their own water sensor.

So to recap my recommendation, I’ll quote Spaceballs, “She’s gone from SUCK to BLOW!”

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

“She’s gone from SUCK to BLOW!”

I went back and forth with Ecotech a few times about this very concept, because my thought was the pressure within the CaRx was probably applying pressure to the Versa which might have been what caused it to lose prime somehow? But they didn't have an answer for that.

When I originally set up the CaRx there was a BRS video that said he preferred to pull it out which would minimize a failure point....if the pump failed in a push in set up it would have unlimited water to pump to the floor in the event of a blow out. But my Versa is located above the sump in a way that if a leak developed it would go into the sump. If I did that would I run the drip line out of the CaRx into the sump just wide open and get whatever volume of water back out as the peristaltic pushes in? i.e. 5ml per minute in, 5ml out?

I'm actually considering @Dr.DiSilicate and @MuralReef advice in post #204 & #205 in this very thread. How very intuitive, and wise!

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Chris, can I stop by this weekend and see what you are working with? Not sure I get the two pump thing. Plus... puppies


Sent from my iPhone using MASC mobile app

 

[halmus]

Yep, I’m not pushing the peristaltic pump idea as a necessity. Works for me but not the only solution. Ultimately, you need something mechanical to push water through. Anything mechanical can fail peristaltic or otherwise. You have to find what works for you.

I reviewed 204 & 205 and agree. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

If you do decide to stick with the peri-pump... Even if it’s in a push configuration, 5ml in should guarantee 5ml out. The way they’re built they won’t allow water flow either direction when the pump is turned off. It pinches the tube as a part of the peristaltic action. That squirts out metered amounts through the output. When the pump is turned off, there is no way for air to enter the system.

Imagine filling a straw with liquid in a cup and pinching the top. Pull the straw out of the liquid and a majority remains inside the straw until you take your finger off the top. That’s what happens in a properly sealed reactor with the peristaltic pump. It’s pinching small amounts of liquid and pushing it forward. Then the next roller comes along when the head rotates and pinches another small amount moving it forward.

Peristalsis is a medical term that describes, for example, how we move food through our bodies. We subconsciously contract sequential muscles internally which moves food along the digestive track towards the inevitable.

Still, you have to go with what works. Maybe a squirrel on a small bike powering a turbine?

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Ecotech replied to my concerns this morning. Here is their response, which sounds better:

The issue may only continue to persist until you receive the new fitting kit that we are sending out to you under warranty. Once you have the new kit, this should completely resolve the issue you are having with your pump. For the time being, you can continue to run the pump but if it provides inconsistent results and loss of prime, then we would advise waiting to use the pump until you get the fitting kit installed. Additionally, the Versa has more pushing power than pulling power (80 feet pushing and 10 feet pulling) so for the time being, try setting the pump up to push through the reactor and see if that helps until you receive the new fitting kit.

 

[Balz3352]

So your pumping water into carx with a small pump. Then using the versa post reactor?

Just trying to clarify.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

I was, yes. MJ1200 pumping water in, Versa pulling water out. Once the parts get here from Ecotech, I'll take the MJ1200 off and try pushing the water in with the Versa. If that looks to be too complex, or I become too lazy, I'll just hold onto the Versa and find something else to use it on.

This is what they are sending me:
View attachment 16479

 

[halmus]

That portion of my Peri-pump gets replaced every 6 months. FWIW. Seems to wear out after long periods of being crimped. I just bought multiple feet of that hose and cut off as needed. Do they have a planned replacement schedule for that part?

 

[Balz3352]

Why not just pull through the reactor? There is a chance of pushing on a clog and busting a seal on the carx

 

[MuralReef]

I only push water through my CaRX and have a pinch valve on the output to regulate how much water moves though the reactor. I’ve never measured how much water I’m pushing through either of the two reactors but the sps in the library is doing well.

 

[Balz3352]

I only push water through my CaRX and have a pinch valve on the output to regulate how much water moves though the reactor. I’ve never measured how much water I’m pushing through either of the two reactors but the sps in the library is doing well.

Do you push with a peristaltic or a traditional pump

 

[MuralReef]

Do you push with a peristaltic or a traditional pump

Traditional pump.

 

[Balz3352]

The difference between traditional pump and peristaltic pump when pushing through a reactor is that your risk for creating a large amount of pressure is minimal because water will backflow through the propeller and essentially not move. Where as the pressure created via peristaltic pushing can be enough to bust seals. But that is just my $. 02

 

[MuralReef]

Think I’m using a danner mag 3. It gets the job done. The pump on my LifeReef is a small Rio. I like the flat pinch valve that came with the LifeReef too.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Think I’m using a danner mag 3. It gets the job done. The pump on my LifeReef is a small Rio. I like the flat pinch valve that came with the LifeReef too.

It sounds like I have the same LifeReef setup, I might just find another use for the peristaltic pump....or sell it off.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

After getting back from vacation and checking everything over I found my skimmer collection 5gal bucket full and shut down. No idea how long it was off, but I decided to check everything. When I cleaned my Algae Turf Scrubber I had the largest harvest I’ve ever had! I squeezed almost all the water out and put it in sandwich bag:

View attachment 16562

11.6 ounces!

 

[halmus]

Welcome home. The tanks still in good shape after the trip?

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Welcome home. The tanks still in good shape after the trip?

Tested all parameters this morning and they looks good. Mixing up a water change as I type. I have my tank sitter feed and keep an eye on things, but not clean the glass....so that was kinda funky. but now clean. All frags look good, I mounted one before I left and it looks a little browned out, I'll probably move it back to the sandbed once the halides kick on and I can see it in non blue light. All in all pretty successful! (first trip with no apex monitoring, so all hell could have broken loose and I'd have no idea.) CaRx drip rate was a little slow, but easy enough to adjust.