DOS heads breaking

[FishDaddy]

I’ve had four DOS heads break on me. Two had tabs on the side pop off. One leaked internally, and now one isn’t pumping properly. Caveats I’m pumping a lot of water at high speed over the course of three years, and it doesn’t seem the DOS can handle it. Just tired of this popping up randomly.

 

[Sparky88]

Get something rated continuous duty. These are def not made to move alot more of precise movment.

 

[Sparky88]

I always try looking outside the aquarium trade. They are called parastalic pumps I believe. U can probably find an industrial bullet proof one

 

[FishDaddy]

Thanks! I’ll look into it.

 

[SledDriver]

I always try looking outside the aquarium trade. They are called parastalic pumps I believe. U can probably find an industrial bullet proof one

Thanks! I’ll look into it.

Prices are jacked up on Peristaltic Pumps. They are a mainstay in Biopharmaceutical Drug Manufacturing. Anything that is able to be sold in that industry is insanely marked up and the companies don't seem to mind getting gouged.

They're an amazing tool though. If you get one feel free to DM me. I have a real nice Standard Operating Procedure for them I professionally developed.

 

[FishDaddy]

Thanks. Any thoughts on brands etc? Seems like a lot of options. I’ll be a bit before I get something. Probably replace the current head, and hope to get another six months or year out of it.

 

[SledDriver]

Thanks. Any thoughts on brands etc? Seems like a lot of options. I’ll be a bit before I get something. Probably replace the current head, and hope to get another six months or year out of it.

Well it's going to be the most expensive but if you want a pump you'll, literally, never have to maintenance, then Watson-Marlow is the brand. I've used this brand for almost 20 years now and on several different models and I've never had a single failure mechanically. That's a 100% honest claim.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used one, but the older ones have turn dials so you can't dial in an exact flow rate.

The digital ones are real nice and most newer ones have reversible flow.

There are different models but for our tanks the pump you're probably looking for is a 300 series.

https://www.wmftg.com/en-us/watson-marlow-pumps/cased-pumps/300-series-cased-pump/
Size 16 or 25 tubing will run in these nicely (25 tubing is smaller than 16) in which these are roughly the sizes of the aquarium tubing we purchase for air pumps/stones/powerheads, etc..

Remember when using a peristaltic pump you have to learn the settings. If the setting on the pump is set to size 25 tubing, but you install size 16 tubing, the flow rate is going to be less than what you set the pump at. Conversely, it would be more of you switch those and you can overdose.

I highly recommend following a SOP while using these because it's very easy to deviate accidentally.