Dosing Pumps

[gill again68]

What do you use??
I am trying to find some dosing pumps. I know that you can gravity drip most stuff but I dont think I have an area that I can put the jugs and such that wont be visible so I need pumps.
Now on to the wants and needs cause I found all the prebuilt, for sale on X-site ones so here are the questions and such.
1) Yes I want a cheap fix
2) Yes I want it to work flawlessly
3) I need a 3 pump dosing system
So is there a DYI that someone has done that gets the job done?
Are the systems that use air pumps worth anything?? (Noisy)
I also need an automatic feeder suggestion.
I am planning some trips soon so this is the reason for all the auto stuff. I dont trust or want to burden people with the routines of the tank so I am trying to automate as much as possible.
Thanks in advance for sharing your ideas.

 

[florida joe]

I persoanly do not use any but i can tell you from friends they are not CHEAP a top of the line Aqua Medic Reefdoser Dosing Pump Quadro runs in the range of $450.

 

[gill again68]

Yeah, I have priced them. What do you do when your away for a while? Friends??? I just may have to get the dosing unit. The 3 head unit is $350.00 I think. May have to bite the bullet. I am looking at the possibility of putting some gravity feed jugs on top the canopy but I want to avoid that. The ole mighty dollar may convince me thats the way to go.

 

[geoj]

Peristaltic pumps are what the medical supply companies call them. Aqua Medic pumps need to be on timers if you have a small amount of water to drip. These pumps are not cheep…

 

[cranberry]

I have about 15 pumps. You can get them from auction sites at very reasonable prices. Most are from hospital selloffs and outdated medical supplies. I had to sign a release for most of them to say I was using them for non-medical reasons (because I don't have medical equipment purchasing license). If you want rates >1ml/hr the easiest ones to find at the best prices are IV pumps (just make sure you can still buy the tubing for it).
I use to dose part A & B this way, I could put like a months supply in the IV bag.

 

[gill again68]

Thanks Cran. Any particular IV pump brand you would stay away from or would prefer to buy?

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3232770
I have about 15 pumps. You can get them from auction sites at very reasonable prices. Most are from hospital selloffs and outdated medical supplies. I had to sign a release for most of them to say I was using them for non-medical reasons (because I don't have medical equipment purchasing license). If you want rates >1ml/hr the easiest ones to find at the best prices are IV pumps (just make sure you can still buy the tubing for it).
I use to dose part A & B this way, I could put like a months supply in the IV bag.
Cran....Is that correct that you can not get them without a medical license of some sort?
OP...I might google IV infusion pumps and see what comes up. There are many places that refurbish old hospital ones. Some will even allow for dosing from two separate IV lines. While I use several at my work place I have no opinion on brands. The refurbished ones work well and come with a limited (90 day) warranty.

 

[cranberry]

Originally Posted by Al Mc
http:///forum/post/3233041
Cran....Is that correct that you can not get them without a medical license of some sort?
You're suppose to have a license of some sort, yes. I always ask ahead of time if they will let me sign a waiver saying it's not for medical use and this has worked for me about 75% of the time. One time I didn't say anything until I won the auction and I got negative feedback.... that was a good 8 years or so ago.
Here's an example of what the auctions say....
"The sale of this item may be subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state and local regulatory agencies. If so, do not bid on this item unless you are an authorized purchaser. If the item is subject to FDA regulation, I will verify your status as an authorized purchaser of this item before shipping of the item."
Maybe this will help. Not sure... but it may be in there somewhere.
Info
This requirement seemed to be more with IV pumps than feeding pumps.

 

[cranberry]

Originally Posted by Gill again68
http:///forum/post/3233010
Thanks Cran. Any particular IV pump brand you would stay away from or would prefer to buy?
I have several brands.
Buy one with a working charger and one you can still buy tubing for. Some of the units have been recalled for "whatever" fails to meet the industry standards, but that won't really make a difference for what we are using them for.
If you are using them for part A & B solutions, you have to wipe the ends of the tubing every other day because it clumps with the calcium and blocks the flow.... ya just throw some water on it and it clears it.