any feedback on these peristaltic pumps?

jimmyj7090 · #1 11/15/2006, 08:34 PM

Does anyone have any exp with these peristaltic pumps?

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct%5Fid=19383

I'm looking for a reliable and consistant pump to feed my Ca reactor. Ideally I would like to have an adjustable rate of 50-100ml / min. The above link is the closest match I've found (the .4-85 ml / min unit is what I'm looking at).

Any experiences with these pumps, or other suggestions?

Thanks
jk

jimmyj7090 · #2 11/16/2006, 08:01 AM

bump.....

jeffbrig · #3 11/16/2006, 11:25 AM

Looks pretty good to me. Much smaller form factor than the Cole Parmer pumps, and a better price (not too bad at $170). If you end up getting one, be sure to post your thoughts here.

jimmyj7090 · #4 11/16/2006, 01:02 PM

"form factor " -- what's that mean?

thanks for the reply

jk

jeffbrig · #5 11/16/2006, 01:15 PM

form factor = size/shape/dimensions

This one is 6x4x4, the cole parmer I recently got rid of was more like 6x8x10. Huge difference when you have limited space under a tank stand.

jimmyj7090 · #6 11/16/2006, 01:22 PM

haha, and I thought that was some sort of complex tech term...

I have no space issues really, what do you think of the pump you got? Do you know the model, or have a link for it?

thanks again
jk

jeffbrig · #7 11/16/2006, 03:40 PM

My honest opinion on the Cole Parmer was that it was too bulky, and the motor was a bit louder than I wanted to deal with (I admit to being pretty picky about noise). Many people use them and are very happy with them. Someone on RC bought mine and is happily using it as we speak. The one I had was a Cole Parmer LS Economy drive, don't recall the exact number offhand. These can usually be found used for $100-$125 on Ebay.

I've been tempted to try one of those aquamedic sp-3000 pumps. It's a tiny, low wattage, 50mL/min pump that goes for about $80. The drawbacks are that it's not adjustable speed, and not of terribly high quality construction, either.

jimmyj7090 · #8 11/16/2006, 07:59 PM

I have 2 sp 3000's sitting around, that's what I'm looking to replace. They eat the tubing pretty fast, especially if there is any head to fight. Too annoying to keep working IMO.

jeffbrig · #9 11/17/2006, 12:16 AM

Thanks for the heads up.....

jeffbrig · #10 11/27/2006, 06:24 PM

Hey jimmyj, did you ever take a gamble on one of these? I'm still taking a hard look at them....

jimmyj7090 · #11 11/27/2006, 08:24 PM

Oh,

yea I have used them, and been happy with them at times.

I got one and hooked it up to a not very well designed DIY kalk reactor. The tubing failed in days. Repleaced it, and took the not so well made reactor off line and shelfed the pump for a while.

After that I made a DIY kalk reactor that did work right, the pump would run for 10-12 min 12x per day. That worked without problems for 2+ yrs. I reccently changed pumps around, and set the SP up to run a Ca reactor, running constantly. The tubing lasted about 10 days. I swapped the pump out for the spare I had picked up. The second one also ate the tubing after roughly the same amount of time.

I guess that could be taken as a mixed experience, but to me it seems too unreliable.

I guess they may be pretty good for limited dosing applications, but IMO not usable for ongoing continious use.

jeffbrig · #12 11/28/2006, 08:46 AM

You're talking about the SP pump? What I meant was, did you ever order one of these usplastics pumps from the original post?

jimmyj7090 · #13 11/28/2006, 03:10 PM

No I haven't tried the pump from US plastics, and I can't seem to find anyone that has.