Calcium automat reactor dripping keeps stalling

[mxett]

Hi,

I've had a tunze calcium automat for a while now and it is very difficult to tune in. The problem is that the dripping seems to stall often, seemingly with an air lock. Why is this?

I have co2 set at 1 bubble per second and am aiming at 1 drip a second as well. Once I leave it for a few hours I come back to find the dripping stalled and therefore the reactor pH too low. I then open the drip valve to release the air and start again.

The reactor is setup in the sump with the water level about 2/3 the way up the unit.

Any advice?

 

[rvitko]

Especially when new, fine dust and debris can block the valve. A higher drip rate would help, usually once settled in this is a weekly problem and not a daily problem. You might also double check the routing of the hoses. I usually just readjust the drip rate weekly but others have told me they just thump the valve and it frees the dust and sediment and it starts working properly again. This is pretty typical of most reactors, they do need periodic adjustment due to build up of sediment in the valve.