Coralife Calcium Reactor troubles

[30mini]

So, while it's pulling water in, and doing a good job with the bubble counter... I have noticed a build up of CO2 in the top of the reactor chamber. Not sure why this is... but it seems like it's not flowing through the media the way that it should! Like it's really just bubbling up to the top, and not being absorbed into the water. Any other suggestions that you guys have? I'm setting up a 120 that will be heavly stocked w/SPS and I want this reactor to work well for me!! Thanks for the help!!

 

[wife no likey]

How can you see that there are bubbles in there? It should be completely filled with water.

 

[30mini]

I can see a huge air gap at the top... probably about 1/2" or so.

 

[wife no likey]

because the thing should be completely filled (pressurized)

where do you have it in relation to the water line of your sump?

Chances are that you'll need to either:

1) start a siphon and keep the pinch valve on the output side - have the reactor below the water line of your sump if possible.
2) get an aqualifter (or similar pump) and hook that to the output

Personally, I use an Iwaki bellows pump to regulate the effluent.

Nonetheless, you need to have the chamber completely filled w/ water, or the loop inside of it won't recycle the co2. Additionally, it sounds like you are close to starving the little pump in there. Its input needs to be completely submerged.

HTH

Pete

 

[30mini]

Okay, so your saying to move the reactor to below the water line of the sump then? That may help!! I have the reactor turned off at the moment, so that it's not running at all. I need to recalibrate my pH controller anyways... so I'll get that done and see if it helps! Thanks Pete!

 

[wife no likey]

Enjoy. . and get ready to do about 100 alk tests

 

[30mini]

I have a Kalkenstein also w/some Mrs. wages that I'm also running! Hopefully that will keep up with the alk!

 

[wife no likey]

Just tuning a reactor can be a PITA sometimes.

This was a great help to me:


http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html

 

[30mini]

Yea, I've seen that site, and used it before!! It is an excellent help for sure!

 

[Duce]

Just got one of these up.... a "virtual" buddy of mine is having the same problem... love to see what the fix is.

I have the aqualifter doing the feeding but should the pinch valve is still on the intake side.. should I put it on the output side?

 

[wife no likey]

when I was previously just using it gravity fed (with the internal pump) I found that having the pinch valve on the effluent side helped maintain consistent flow.

Pete

 

[30mini]

I can say that dropping the reactor below the water level has worked, but I think that I may need to move the pinch valve over to the effluent side... that's my problem i think is that the water is flowing free out, but being cut off coming in! It all makes sense now!!

 

[Duce]

I hooked up the feed pump and move the pinch valve to the eff side. This morning I found a small puddle of water where the pump is. I am wondering am I creating too much back pressure and causing it to leak...

Slightly off topic... How do I get a consistent bubble count in my valve/solenoid

 

[Reefjunkee]

I had the same problem when I had mine....move the siphon line up into the tank and it will not do this any more.When it was in the sump it would lose siphon and co2 would builup in mine in 2-3 days and quit flowing.Just moving the feed up into the tank itself cured the problem and it NEVER happened again.Good luck.

 

[wife no likey]

I've found that getting consistent co2 dispensing is highly dependant on your regulator. I managed to get a very nice one made by concoa off of eb@y for $30.

If you search on there for cga-320 and cga-580 you will probably find something.

If you get one w/ a cga-580 connection, you will either need to replace the connecter w/ a 320 or get an adapter.

 

[Duce]

I thought Milwakie is a good brand?