GEO Calcium Reactor 618 - Help!

[wet reefer]

Good thread and the timing could not be better.
I will be getting a GEO 18 or 24. I have 240 gallons in 3 tanks (sps and lps) connected to a common sump. Any suggestions as to which one I should get?
Also, is an extra $100.00 worth getting the Reef Fanatic regulator and pinpoint controller verses going with Milwaukee in both? I have had a Milwaukee redox controller that stopped working after a year so I'm a little hesitant going with them.

I have been looking the package deals at Premium Aquatics. Any other suggestions on where to buy?

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12063038#post12063038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sgarron
That's a good question. Couldn't you use a dosing pump and set it to 30ml. ? A little more expensive than a maxi-jet, but easier to fine tune.

Yes you can use a doser pump just note that the dosing pump should be designed for continuous operation and shall have adjustable flow (Via RPM control) from a range of 20 ml to 120 ml/min. In addition you need to consider that the effluent line could be plugged and a doser may increase the pressure inside the reactor beyond it's design. I have seen many reactors start leaking trough the top flange O ring at between 3 and 5 psi and some pop open from the seams above that pressure.
Using a powerhead is OK just note that although restricting their flow may not cause imediate damage but because of the lack of enough flow for cooling the powerhead may overheat, this heat may increase the rate of precipitation of calcium carbonate inside the shaft thus stopping the pump. One way to aliviate this situation is to T off some flow from the powerhead discharge back to the sump. If the powerhead will be submerged in the sump this is simply done by drilling a hole at the powerhead output. If using a maxijet you can use the niple that inserts at the powerhead output and that suports the fan like piece used to direct the flow. Remove the fan and the two little bumps and insert your hose into the nipple and the nipple into the pump. The hole in the nipple normally used for air aspiration now becomes the "T off" trough which part of the flow will cool down the powerhead.

 

[sgarron]

Those adjustable dosing pumps are a little pricey. I think I'll just replace the mj1200 with a mj400 (less wattage) and the T option as well.

By the way, I tested last night: 10 dkh, 450 Ca. Everything is holding steady, Now I just need to get my Mag up a bit, currently at 1200. Alao, the solenoid now stays open for about 2 hours before closing. I just turned down the bpm a touch.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12063797#post12063797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wet reefer
Good thread and the timing could not be better.
I will be getting a GEO 18 or 24. I have 240 gallons in 3 tanks (sps and lps) connected to a common sump. Any suggestions as to which one I should get?
Also, is an extra $100.00 worth getting the Reef Fanatic regulator and pinpoint controller verses going with Milwaukee in both? I have had a Milwaukee redox controller that stopped working after a year so I'm a little hesitant going with them.

I have been looking the package deals at Premium Aquatics. Any other suggestions on where to buy?

I would not recommend neither the reef fanatic (which can't control ouput pressure) nor the milwaukee regulator (which I have seen as lacking some quality control) but rather the regulator from M3 (Originally from Marinemonsters) or the one from Aquarium plants:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLANTS_com_s_Co2_Regulator_The_BEST_p/co2-1.htm

For controller get the pin point. The milwaukee works but it's accuracy and span of control leave a lot of room for improvement.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12064261#post12064261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sgarron
Those adjustable dosing pumps are a little pricey. I think I'll just replace the mj1200 with a mj400 (less wattage) and the T option as well.

By the way, I tested last night: 10 dkh, 450 Ca. Everything is holding steady, Now I just need to get my Mag up a bit, currently at 1200. Alao, the solenoid now stays open for about 2 hours before closing. I just turned down the bpm a touch.

I have not tried the MJ400 but I think it may be lacking some pressure, if you switch and if you are using 1/4 dia tubing try using a larger diameter hose (3/8 or 1/2") to feed the reactor.

 

[ToddG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12063797#post12063797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wet reefer
Good thread and the timing could not be better.
I will be getting a GEO 18 or 24. I have 240 gallons in 3 tanks (sps and lps) connected to a common sump. Any suggestions as to which one I should get?
Also, is an extra $100.00 worth getting the Reef Fanatic regulator and pinpoint controller verses going with Milwaukee in both? I have had a Milwaukee redox controller that stopped working after a year so I'm a little hesitant going with them.

I have been looking the package deals at Premium Aquatics. Any other suggestions on where to buy?

I am just setting up my first reactor so I dont know from experience. But I got the pinpoint controller with the aquariumplants 'best' reactor. I had heard tons of good things about it. I hope it pays off. I got the 618 which will be going on about 200+ total volume.

 

[sgarron]

I have not tried the MJ400 but I think it may be lacking some pressure, if you switch and if you are using 1/4 dia tubing try using a larger diameter hose (3/8 or 1/2") to feed the reactor.

Maybe I'll just leave it alone. If it aint broke don't fix it.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12066494#post12066494 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sgarron
Maybe I'll just leave it alone. If it aint broke don't fix it.

There has never been a higher truth

 

[edandsandy]

jdieck,
An update to our tank,
our ph in the reactor in holding steady at 7.0, I have it set at 6.9
the ph in the tank has been varying from 8.12/8.20
I have the effluent at a steady drip and my calcium is drooping from 400, 380 and today 360. I have dosed with turbo-calcium to help raise the calcium I have a lot of SPS.
any advise on the calcium drooping?

 

[wet reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12064271#post12064271 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
I would not recommend neither the reef fanatic (which can't control ouput pressure) nor the milwaukee regulator (which I have seen as lacking some quality control) but rather the regulator from M3 (Originally from Marinemonsters) or the one from Aquarium plants:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLANTS_com_s_Co2_Regulator_The_BEST_p/co2-1.htm

For controller get the pin point. The milwaukee works but it's accuracy and span of control leave a lot of room for improvement.

Pinpoint and Aquarium plants it is.

Thank you.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12070641#post12070641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
jdieck,
An update to our tank,
our ph in the reactor in holding steady at 7.0, I have it set at 6.9
the ph in the tank has been varying from 8.12/8.20
I have the effluent at a steady drip and my calcium is drooping from 400, 380 and today 360. I have dosed with turbo-calcium to help raise the calcium I have a lot of SPS.
any advise on the calcium drooping?

If the alkalinity is also dropping, Increase the CO2 bubble rate and set your reactor PH at 6.7 to increase the calcium and alkalinity in the effluent.
If the alkalinity is NOT dropping (which I doubt as it drops 2.8 meq/lt every 20 ppm drop in calcium) you will need to continue adding calcium only manually.
Has the alkalinity being dropping also? If not what salt are you using? If using IO or RC which have low calcium but high alkalinity you will need to supplement calcium to the new mixed water changes before you make the change as this is one of the only causes for your calcium dropping but not the alkalinity.

 

[edandsandy]

jdieck,
OOPS, I forgot to say the alkalinity is staying steady.
We use IO for the water changed, I TRY to match the PH, Calcium and temp. when doing a water change out.
Will do on adding the calcium manually. get back to you in a couple days.
Thanks again for all your help.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12073434#post12073434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
jdieck,
OOPS, I forgot to say the alkalinity is staying steady.
We use IO for the water changed, I TRY to match the PH, Calcium and temp. when doing a water change out.
Will do on adding the calcium manually. get back to you in a couple days.
Thanks again for all your help.

No need to try to match the PH, just match the calcium to the water changes and you willl not need to adjust the calcium in the tank.

 

[edandsandy]

got it :thumbsup:

 

[scott058]

I just got my geo 612 all set up now. Can somebody tell me if this sounds alright for a starting point?
high is 7.0
low is 6.8 on the pinpoint
drips are at 30 ml per minute
bubble rate is at 25 per minute
How does that sound. I don't want to leave the house for fear something might happen while I am gone
-Scott

 

[Whisperer]

Do you have to use 2 pH meters? One for the reactor and one for the tank? Cause the pinpoint pH meter is set up to control the solenoid...right? You still need to know what's your tank pH or not? Sorry for my ignorazz

 

[scott058]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12146855#post12146855 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whisperer
Do you have to use 2 pH meters? One for the reactor and one for the tank? Cause the pinpoint pH meter is set up to control the solenoid...right? You still need to know what's your tank pH or not? Sorry for my ignorazz

yes I have two, I was talking about the one for the solenoid

 

[sgarron]

Scott, I think it's ok to leave the house. Just keep an eye on your alk. over the next few days and see if it's going up or down or hopefully staying the same.

Whispere, yes you would need a second monitor for the tank ph, just a monitor is fine, you don't need another controller.

 

[scott058]

cool. I'll post how things go in a day or two
-thanks
Scott

 

[scott058]

should the valve on the co2 tank be all the way open? For the time being I unplugged the solenoid. My ph dropped to 7.91. I don't think I am doing something right here. How does everybody combat ph drop?