Calcium Reactor Set up question

[lostmyz]

I have a 72gal bow front with a 29gal sump. I have a Korallin Ca Reactor C-1502 and I am looking to install it into my system. I have two pumps currently in my sump....

1) An aqueon 2500 that goes in parallel to my UV Sterilizer and my Dual Stage BRS reactor (drains back into the sump). After the UV sterilizer it runs in series to my Chiller (I wanted to do all parallel but couldn't get the piping to work) and drains back into the sump

2) My return is a Mag 9.5

My question is...

1) will I be able to tap into my mag 9.5 return to feed water into the Ca Reactor (I think it might be too much flow to it personally but i had to ask)?
2) can i tap into one of my two returns to the sump to feed the reactor?
3) do i need to get another pump for this reactor (i have a maxijet 1200 and a mag 3 but I'd rather not put another pump in and use more electricity and besides those two pumps are gawd awful loud!)

Thank You

 

[sirreal63]

Tee off the return and use a valve so you can control the flow.

 

[lostmyz]

Does nobody online sell gate valve with unions that are not the handle but look like the spigot valve? http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24447&catid=584 like that? the handle ones if need to turn the bigger they are the more of a pain in the *** if it to dial in

 

[sirreal63]

I am not really sure what you are asking, but SAVCO has a pretty good selection as well. Most will have a better selection available to them than what you can see online.

Ball valves have the 1/4 turn handles, and gate valves have the round handle, which is easier to dial in. I have never had a gate valve be hard to turn but have had many ball valves that are hard to turn.

 

[lostmyz]

Yeah i hate the ball valves.... i had one on my overflow that was 1.5" and it was a god damn B*&*@ to turn when i wanted to work under the tank. I am looking for a gate valve with unions on it already to make life easy if i should ever have to work on the tank plumbing just trying to think ahead.... also going from a 1" return down to something small enough to attach to the Ca Reactor will be fine?

 

[lostmyz]

they dont make true union gate valves.... plain and simple haha

 

[bretcummings]

I've just finished researching the same thing. I've found no gate valves that use unions, and I found that Marine Depot has the best prices for gate valves(the better valves that you can service). They didn't advertise it but when I received them I noticed they are Spears brand. Plus I think there are some promotion codes to save you another 5-10%.

 

[Dripley]

Why not just buy an Aqua Lifter pump and the filter for it. Both are less than 30 dollars. Minimal wattage and you can't here it. Mine even fell in the water and I thought it was toast but took the body screws out and dried it out and we were off and running again. I also use another aqua lifter for my ATO.