GEO 612 problem

[shag26272]

I bought this new in May. My Neptune PH probe went bad for the 2nd time so I decided to take the reactor apart and clean it. I put everything back together and put the PH probe in and got it running again. Now when I set the effluent drip rate it runs for a few hours and then just stops dripping until I open the valve more. It wont run for more then 8 hours or so without me having to reset the drip valve.

 

[plantguy]

Does the water in the reactor look clear? Or can you see mechanical debris in the water? Many times in the cleaning process you can knock all sorts of tiny crud up, it usually ends up finding the effluent valve.

I used to have the same issue when I ran the smaller grain media, after switching to the coarse media, its only an issue when I forget to rinse before adding.

 

[shag26272]

its clear but after it stops up it gets cloudy, I put the same media back in. It is GEN X CRM, large grain.

 

[plantguy]

What is coming out of the valve when you clean it?

 

[shag26272]

nothing, the valve is clean, I just have to open the valve a little more and it starts flowing again.

 

[plantguy]

Sounds like mechanical debris catching up in there, when you open it, it flushes out. Have you actually removed the valve from the line and looked to see what is clogging it?

Usually when I change out, or clean my media, I run the effluent to a five gallon bucket with the valve wide open to flush it out before setting the drip rate. You might try it and see if it helps.

 

[shag26272]

Ive taken the valve off and the line and soaked them both in vinegar solution. I have flushed it about 3 times already. I guess I have to take some of it apart and try again.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Shag-

If it stops again check to ensure that your Eheim is still moving water through the calcium reactor. If it is not, then it's getting air locked, which could be the culprit from a couple of different things, a lot of time too much co2 being injected for the effluent rate you have it set at.

If the circulation pump (Eheim) is still moving water, then check your feed pump. BTW, how are you feeding the reactor? If the Eheim is indeed moving water and no effluent is coming out it is either plugged up in the effluent or feed line, or the feed pump / line is not overcoming the pressure inside the reactor to push through it.

Hope that helps!

Jeremy

 

[shag26272]

I am feeding it with a MJ1200, I have cleaned it twice and it looks brand new. I feel like it is some sort of problem with getting air locked in. The Eheim seems to be working properly also. I only adding 1 bubble per second and starting with 1 drop per second on the effluent. When the effluent stops, I can see bubbles all in the reactor. I will check all of my lines tonight.

 

[Jeremy B.]

This might sound kind of crazy, but when the reactor is running pick up the unit and try to shake it, carefully though! You will most likely get a ton of bubbles popping up through the media . Also, when you do this, turn off the co2, and open up the micro ball valve on the effluent line.

 

[shag26272]

I got it working. I let it run full open with the C02 off for a day and also shook the bubbles out. Seems to have fixed it.

 

[cwegescheide]

One thing that helped me with my reactor was to T off of the return pump line and drive my ca reactor off of that. When I drove my Geo reactor from a powerhead in the sump I was getting a lot of air bubbles pumped into the reactor. When I drove it from from a barb T'd off of the return I had no more issues with air bubbles collecting in my reactor. Just my experience..

 

[Jeremy B.]

I agree! If you're not using a peristaltic pump to run your reactor, T'ing off the return is the best way to go in my opinion.