CaRX user

[hernandezkeb]

Hey there.

I'm new to calcium reactor. I have this question about how to run it properly.
Just wondering how often are your co2 regulator solenoid turns on and off during the day to maintain your ph? What's the safe side no.?

 

[ftampa]

There is a brs video teaching how to tune that is really good! I learned from there

 

[hernandezkeb]

There is a brs video teaching how to tune that is really good! I learned from there

Thanks. Definitely will look into that. So yours is continous on?

 

[solitude127]

If done right, your solenoid should never turn off. Mine might turn off/on once or twice a week

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[ftampa]

I use a apex to control

 

[five.five-six]

this is an older article however, IMO it is the definitive document on understanding how to tune a CARX

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/

 

[hernandezkeb]

If done right, your solenoid should never turn off. Mine might turn off/on once or twice a week

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Ok. Thanks. Thats my goal. Ill practice on safe side level at higher ph where nothing is dissolved yet. My tank is pretty new still. No alk consumption yet that wc cant handle. Better learn it now right?

 

[hernandezkeb]

this is an older article however, IMO it is the definitive document on understanding how to tune a CARX

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/

Thanks. This is a great article for carx newby. Learned alot on this one.

 

[five.five-six]

If done right, your solenoid should never turn off. Mine might turn off/on once or twice a week

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I ran a reactor for years without a reactor pH probe at all.

 

[hernandezkeb]

I ran a reactor for years without a reactor pH probe at all.

Wow. So u rely on counting bubbles? And testing tank? Thats cool.
Does the bubble counter always accurate? Mine when set at 3 psi, its almost no bubble coming out but when i set it at 4-5 psi the bubble coming out is too big. Does that mean my carbon doser is busted?

 

[solitude127]

Wow. So u rely on counting bubbles? And testing tank? Thats cool.

Does the bubble counter always accurate? Mine when set at 3 psi, its almost no bubble coming out but when i set it at 4-5 psi the bubble coming out is too big. Does that mean my carbon doser is busted?

Not at all. More PSI, the more gas gets through resulting in a bigger bubble.
Right now, my reg is set about 9 PSI and my bubble count is about 1every 2 seconds with a effluent rate of 28mls/min. When I first set my CaRx up, I was testing Alk twice a day until my setup was meeting the demands of the tank.
If your solenoid is turning on/off a lot, turn down your bubbles per second or turn down the output PSI.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[hersheyb]

it really depends on your setup.. you can actually fine-tune your setup to have the solenoid open the whole time. The ph probe will serve as your backup incase there are any changes within your setup. You will need a good regulator, and a good peristaltic to feed your calx.

- Set your persitaltic pump at a set constant speed... lets just say 30ml/min.
- Set your ph controller/apex for the solenoid depending on media.. lets just say the media ur running melts at around 6.3.. i would set my ph controller in the range of 6.3-6.4 (keep in mind ph controller will be used as backup once you have it tuned)
- Let your reactor run for a few hours by the ph controller.. once the ph inside your carx reaches your desire ph..this is where you fine tuning begins...
- Observed your ph chart and if it's going up and down between the 6.3-6.4 that means that you need to turn down your needle valve slightly.. let it run for at least 15-30 mins.. rinse and repeat.. eventually you ph chart will look like a flat-line if done correctly.. it'll takes some time but one you have it set... you are set..
- my last carx setup was done this way and my solenoid was open all the time, i did all this without a bubble counter.

 

[hernandezkeb]

[MENTION=307732]hersheyb[/MENTION] I appreciate the detailed reply. Thank you. I do have peristaltic pump and ill do your way which is probably what others do too


Thanks to all of you. You guys are very helpful. Thanks a lot. Will start tuning it and I’ll update u guys how it is.

 

[five.five-six]

Wow. So u rely on counting bubbles? And testing tank? Thats cool.
Does the bubble counter always accurate? Mine when set at 3 psi, its almost no bubble coming out but when i set it at 4-5 psi the bubble coming out is too big. Does that mean my carbon doser is busted?

Did it that way for years. No pH probe either

You would hold a small cup under the effluent tube for about a minute then test that pH. make an adjustment, come back an hour later and test a cupful again wash rinse repeat

Having a pH probe in the reactor to control the solenoid is light-years better than the old way However..... all that work associated with making adjustments the old way really discouraged dickering with you CARX -> more stability

 

[hernandezkeb]

Did it that way for years. No pH probe either

You would hold a small cup under the effluent tube for about a minute then test that pH. make an adjustment, come back an hour later and test a cupful again wash rinse repeat

Having a pH probe in the reactor to control the solenoid is light-years better than the old way However..... all that work associated with making adjustments the old way really discouraged dickering with you CARX -> more stability

You are absolutely right about this also. Ill do this too. Ill have the ph probe in carx but i will also check the effluent ph if its stable. Thank you

 

[bvysochin]

Cool thread. On one reactor, were running 120 ml/min with a chamber ph of 6.40 at probably 20 small bubbles/sec. On the other, 80 ml/min with a chamber ph of 6.30 at probably 2-3 large bubbles/sec. Using reborn media. Alk tested every 6 hours and still fluctuates a lot (.4 dkh) due to demand/light schedule. Going with the digital masterflexes and two stage regulators from AlanLe really made a world of difference. Solenoids never shut off.

Not at all. More PSI, the more gas gets through resulting in a bigger bubble.
Right now, my reg is set about 9 PSI and my bubble count is about 1every 2 seconds with a effluent rate of 28mls/min. When I first set my CaRx up, I was testing Alk twice a day until my setup was meeting the demands of the tank.
If your solenoid is turning on/off a lot, turn down your bubbles per second or turn down the output PSI.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I never realized this or put two and two together.. so less psi = smaller bubbles ?

Guess it makes sense. On one of our Geo 1218's, we are running about 20 psi and are getting a nice steady stream of small bubbles. On the other 1218, we are running about 30 psi and the bubbles are pretty large. I prefer the smaller bubbles.

What PSI is everyone running at? We use two check valves in series, just incase, and always liked to have the psi a little higher to ensure stuff works as it should, but maybe we should try turning it down.

 

[five.five-six]

Not at all. More PSI, the more gas gets through resulting in a bigger bubble.
Right now, my reg is set about 9 PSI and my bubble count is about 1every 2 seconds with a effluent rate of 28mls/min. When I first set my CaRx up, I was testing Alk twice a day until my setup was meeting the demands of the tank.
If your solenoid is turning on/off a lot, turn down your bubbles per second or turn down the output PSI.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

now if you are pulling with a peristaltic this doesn't matter but if you are pushing, the pressure inside the reactor needs to be subtracted from the 9 pounds in your case. meaning that if your feed pump slows down, your bubbles will get bigger.


Pro tip: use the shortest type PE hose you can from the needle valve to the bubble counter.

Reason: Co2 compresses and airline stretches. a long streachy hose allows Co2 to fill up like a balloon and the lag time between adjusting your needle wheel and the resulting change in bubble rate can be very significant. get your bubble rate right where yo want it and come back 30 min later and it's lower or higher because the hose was filling up or shrinking.


I just went with a carbon doser and life is good

 

[scrapz]

My solenoid never turns off, perks of a dual stage regulator. I run mine between 6.7-6.8

 

[solitude127]

I never realized this or put two and two together.. so less psi = smaller bubbles ?

Yes, lower PSI = smaller bubbles. Higher PSI = bigger bubble (more co2 being injected) For me, I have my needle valve locked and I just control the ph in my chamber by increasing/decreasing the output PSI on the reg.

now if you are pulling with a peristaltic this doesn't matter but if you are pushing, the pressure inside the reactor needs to be subtracted from the 9 pounds in your case. meaning that if your feed pump slows down, your bubbles will get bigger.

I'm using a peristaltic pump pulling through the reactor. I was afraid if I was pushing through the reactor, the effluent line would get clogged and and bust a seal in the reactor.

 

[five.five-six]

I'm using a peristaltic pump pulling through the reactor. I was afraid if I was pushing through the reactor, the effluent line would get clogged and and bust a seal in the reactor.

Never push with a peristaltic. But lots of people push with aqualifter or mj900 or that sort of thing... those are inexpensive but seem to need constant attention.

I push from my return manifold which works really well because the pressure is regulated by the return plumbing head which won't change unless my stand grows. Moderate consistent pressure + high quality needle valve works almost as good as peristaltic But costs a lot less and one less thing under the stand.