Calc Reactor Effluent Control

E

Editour2

Frank
I am having difficulty controlling the flow of the effluent from my calcium reactor. I have a Knop Calcium Reactor (HD) single media chamber.....with a separate ph controller, (the reactor uses an Eheim pump and I feed the reactor from my Dart return pump). The effluent was originally controlled by a 1/4" ball valve which was very difficult to fine tune and would need constant adjustments. Based on numerous recommendations I purchased a micro gate valve w/John Guest fittings and switched to 1/4" OD tubing (was previously using air line tubing with the ball valve). Well....the fine tuning is a world of difference HOWEVER the effluent flow is still a problem. I set the gate valve and then within an hour the drip may be half the rate or nearly off.....
What is the problem here? I want to set it and rely on it to be a constant. Any suggestions before I take a hammer to it?
 
Sounds like the id of the tubing still might be a little too small and its clogging prematurely. I'm having the same issue with new tubing that i put on my kalk dripper. Slightly smaller ID cloggs daily, frustrating.
 
Did you have a clogging issue with the old tube?

Edit:Scratch that question. I see where you pointed out the constant adjusting.

Still think its a inside diameter issue. You may have to up size your tube.
 
Last edited:
Frank, are you getting good steady flow from your feed pump? Using your main pump to feed the reactor could be the problem when you reduce it down to 1/4 inch. You may be better off using something like a Mag 2.
 
quagmire said:
Did you have a clogging issue with the old tube?

Edit:Scratch that question. I see where you pointed out the constant adjusting.

Still think its a inside diameter issue. You may have to up size your tube.
Click to expand...

hmmmmmmmm.....when I turn the gate valve all the way open there is no problem or clog... but that's interesting. I'll see what the consensus is.
 
James983 said:
Frank, are you getting good steady flow from your feed pump? Using your main pump to feed the reactor could be the problem when you reduce it down to 1/4 inch. You may be better off using something like a Mag 2.
Click to expand...

James,
I guess that is another consideration....that's why I included the info above. Are you saying that when I turn the gate valve down to a steady drip there may not be enough water pressure from my return pump? Nothing is easy!!!! Maybe I can test that theory by shutting off one of my returns to the DT and also my skimmer....I have the Dart feeding the calc reactor, skimmer and frag tank, (along with the 2 returns into the DT).
Frank
 
I did the same thing using a micro adjusting gate valve and using return pump.
After months of constant adjusting and fiddling,I concluding that Co2 was collecting in valve itself.Never could get a reliable flow.
When you fully open valve do several bubbles come out?
I put the original 1/4 turn valve back in and flow remains constant.Pain to adjust but very steady.
 
fio1022 said:
I did the same thing using a micro adjusting gate valve and using return pump.
After months of constant adjusting and fiddling,I concluding that Co2 was collecting in valve itself.Never could get a reliable flow.
When you fully open valve do several bubbles come out?
I put the original 1/4 turn valve back in and flow remains constant.Pain to adjust but very steady.
Click to expand...

Jim,
I have this problem regardless of using the original ball valve or the new gate valve, although I must admit the ball valve seemed to be a little more constant. Regardless both are unacceptable. I want my effluent flow to be constant.....not in a constant state of flux.
Frank
 
had the same problem for awhile I just increased the effluent flow rate from dripping to a steady stream which eliminated the clogging issue....just remember more flow means more Co2 must be used ...
 
Frank. I use a 1/4" micro valve on the end of my line. It is very consistent. I think the key is that there is little or no tubing after the valve.
 
It's probably scale on the inside of the tubing, 1/4 inch should be fine. Try new tubing and soak the valve in vinegar overnight. I have that calc reactor too and still use the compressing valve (checp valve that pinches the tubing) I have to clean atleast once a year. Good luck!
 
WallysWorld said:
It's probably scale on the inside of the tubing, 1/4 inch should be fine. Try new tubing and soak the valve in vinegar overnight. I have that calc reactor too and still use the compressing valve (checp valve that pinches the tubing) I have to clean atleast once a year. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Walter,
I just switched everything to 1/4" OD with the new valve.....everything is brand new.
Frank
 
Here is a pic of mine
6ara9eze.jpg
 
The jg ball valve? I have one, For whatever reason they don't work as well.
Home Depot carries the micro valves by the drip irrigation. Only like $3
 
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