Korallin Calcium Reactor

[jdieck]

There are several reasons why a reactor flow stops, Plugged effluent valve with residues, settlement of the media which may reduce the pressure etc.
In general IME there are three most common reasons:
1. Plastic valves that change settings with room temperature. The best (Shall say least problematic) valves are the needle PVC valves.
If you do not have them replacing the effluent valve for a needle valve will help stability. Try:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pr...SPlastic&category_name=15615&product_id=15616

2. In case of reactors with top mounted recirculation pumps, accumulation of air or CO2 on top of the reactor chamber makes the pump loose priming. Ensure that the bleed line comming out of the top of the chamber is slightly open so any accumulation is taken out.

3. Lack of stable inlet pressure from the feed. Also IME feeding by gravity or from the return line is more instable than feeding with a powerhead.
Gravity or self feeding by the recirculation pump is subject to variability from water levels and the pressure in the discharge of the recirculation pump which changes with the media level, grain size and settlement. The feed from the return line pressure might be too high for the reactor whcih may leak and if you limit the input with a valve it is extremely difficult to maintain it stable because even the plastic needle valves are not sensitive enough to maintain constant flow.
I have tried the different methods and I found feeding with a powerhead directly nto the suction of the recirculation pump works the best. It seems that as the powerhead has more volume flow than what the reactor will take and given the centrifugal characteristics of those any changes in internal pressure in the reactor are compensated authomatically by the powerhead. I use a maxijet 1200 to feed my reactor and it works like a charm.

Let me know how it goes.
Jose

 

[Steelslinger75]

I am using an aqua-lift micro pump that was recomended by marinedepot to feed the reactor. I have a spare MJ laying around and was wondering how do you have it plummed into your reactor? Is the flow T'd off from the the output of the MJ?

John

 

[jdieck]

I think the aqualifter might have too little pressure to be effective. Try the MJ. I do not "T" off. just connected a 1/4" tubing like the one used for RO/DI directly to the PH outlet. I threaded the oputlet and installed a Jhon Guest connector but you can do the same thing using short pieces of differnet hose diameter inserted one into the other.
I also installed a Jon Guess ball valve to close the line whenever I shut off the PH (Like for refilling) to prevent water back flow due to the line syphon.

 

[Dag]

Jdieck,

Which is the one I want? 1/4" FNPT x 1/4" FNPT PVC?

 

[jdieck]

Jdieck,

Which is the one I want? 1/4" FNPT x 1/4" FNPT PVC?

If you are referring to the needle valves the inlet and outlet depend on your installation. If you are using say 1/4" tubing like the one used for RO/DI systems then the most practical valve to use will have John Guest inlet and outlet so you just split the tubing and insert it in the valve.
If the outlet of your chamber has a male threaded fitting into the flange that you can remove and replace it with a valve then a valve with a male thread connection the same size of the fitting (usually 1/8 or 1/4 MNPT) will be the most practical.

So check all the valve options and try to decide how it will fit in your installation and select the one that makes it easier and require the lest number of fittings or adapters. The valves themselves are all identical, it is only the connections that change.

 

[Steelslinger75]

Ok I had an extra MJ 400 laying around and I plummed it into my reactor tonight. I should know in 8-10 hours if that fixed my problem.

I also ordered the needle valved that you suggested.

 

[jdieck]

Ok I had an extra MJ 400 laying around and I plummed it into my reactor tonight. I should know in 8-10 hours if that fixed my problem.

I also ordered the needle valved that you suggested.

Good luck, I am certain you will see a lot of improvement.

 

[Steelslinger75]

Well this morning the drip was off again. I am going to take the whole top end appart and make sure no media has somehow made its way into any of the tubing. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[jdieck]

Good Luck!

 

[Dag]

JDieck,

I couldn't follow the explanation. the Korallin reactor comes with two separate long tubes (1/4" , I'm pretty sure). I have those the output of the those tubes dripping the effluent into a cup on the side of my sump. I presently regulate the drip with two little John Guest valves situated nearly at the end of those tubes. Those valves are difficult regulate so I'm looking for something more precise.

Based on that, are you able to tell what I want?

 

[jdieck]

JDieck,

I couldn't follow the explanation. the Korallin reactor comes with two separate long tubes (1/4" , I'm pretty sure). I have those the output of the those tubes dripping the effluent into a cup on the side of my sump. I presently regulate the drip with two little John Guest valves situated nearly at the end of those tubes. Those valves are difficult regulate so I'm looking for something more precise.

Based on that, are you able to tell what I want?

Yes if you are using the John Guest connector then you are most probably using 1/4" dia poly tubing like the one used on RO/DI systems.
For that I would recomend you get the needle valves with 1/4" John Guest connector part number 22326

The valve has John Guest on both ends so you can install them closer to the reactor or any where along the tubing as you can connect the same tubing on both ends.

One note on the dripping lines. The line that comes from the top of the reactor only needs a very slow drip. That line is supposed to be able to vent any accumulation of CO2 on the top of the reactor's chamber and you shall insure that the line is not submerged, that way any vented CO2 does not bubble inside the water thus reducing unecessary drop in PH due to the CO2 expelled.

Enjoy!

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pr...SPlastic&category_name=15615&product_id=15616

 

[Dag]

For that I would recomend you get the needle valves with 1/4" John Guest connector part number 22326

Thank you!

 

[jdieck]

:thumbsup:

 

[Chicago]

does this sound right for calcium reactor. the ph in the reactor is running at 6.4 to 6.6 depending on the time of day..

i am getting a calcium reading of 500 with a alk meg/l or 11

if i can push it higher how?

by the way i am using a mix of schuran media and arm media. mostly arm. reactor is made by reefteck.

thanks

 

[jdieck]

does this sound right for calcium reactor. the ph in the reactor is running at 6.4 to 6.6 depending on the time of day..

i am getting a calcium reading of 500 with a alk meg/l or 11

if i can push it higher how?

by the way i am using a mix of schuran media and arm media. mostly arm. reactor is made by reefteck.

thanks

That alkalinity of the effluent seems OK as the typical is range is 11 to 12 dkH and I do not think that to maintain the tank alkalinity you need a lot higher. If your tank alkalinity is still dropping you may try increasing the effluent flow and try to maintain the same PH range. If despite maintaining that PH range the effluent alkalinity drops then you exceeded the reactor's capacity and in that case you may try adding a second chamber if you do not have one already. Jorge may be able to build one for you if needed or you can try a simple DIY

 

[Chicago]

the one i got from reeftek is awesome. its two chambers. 6 inch diameter, each 31 inches high. im good with the alk.. its the calcium i wanted to get a little higher. tank is at 300 right now. i have over the past week been adding seachem additive to bring up the calcium and strontiom and mag. combo prodcut. its a calcium chloride based product.

is 450 to 500 the range on calcium on reactors? alk and calcium go hand in hand on reactors correct?

 

[jdieck]

Yes the Calcim level is also typical. Also remember that a change of 1 meq/lt is usually a change of only 20 ppm Calcium using balanced addition.
If you bring up your Calcium to about 425 ppm using Calcium Chloride if your alkalinity is stable using the reactor the Calcium will also tend to stay there.
Once in a while the consumption of either Calcium or Alkalinity will be higher and one of them may fall a bit. Use either baking Soda or Calcium Chloride to "re-Balance" and it will be OK.

 

[toddlaco]

the gauge should say what it measures. be it psi or kpc (kilo/centimeter)


most american brands measure in PSI.

sorry
kc

 

[Chicago]

so if this is the max range of a cacim reactor in order to get more cal into the system we need to increase the drip rate. correct.

and if we are to maintain the same ph in the reactor when increasing the drip rate then we need to increase the bubble rate. correct.?

 

[jdieck]

so if this is the max range of a cacim reactor in order to get more cal into the system we need to increase the drip rate. correct.

and if we are to maintain the same ph in the reactor when increasing the drip rate then we need to increase the bubble rate. correct.?

Correct and
Correct but....

There is a limit to it. At the point where the flow is high enough so there is not enough contact time between the acidic water (Actually carbonic acid) to disolve the media. In this case more carbonic acid (and in some cases CO2) passes in the effluent and you start seeing larger drops in tank PH.
In my reactor which has a similar capacity to yours I seemed to achieve that limit at an effluent rate of 130 ml/min and a CO2 bubble rate of about 160 bpm.
Adding even a third chamber, dripping the effluent at the skimmer's suction are two things that seem to help in this case.