Korallin Calcium Reactor

[jeffchapman86]

Hi, I just purchased a used Korralin reactor and I read all of this great info. However I do not have it set up yet, and the guy who sold it to me is lending me the CO2 regulator, tank, and solenoid. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to buy either the whole set-up, or individual parts. Also, do I need a solenoid if I adjust the reactor properly? So far the best site that I have found for CO2 tanks and regulators is http://beveragefactory.com/draftbeer.shtml
If anybody has any advice or helpful words of encouragement it would be much appreciated.
Thanks-- Jeff

 

[MarksReef]

dragon_slayer
Nope didn't solve the problem. I have it set at 28 PSI. I'm going to chart and check the alk. at different PH's Maybe it will be a consistant average from day to day.
jeffchapman86:
Welcome to R.C. And the korallin users trouble thread (great info here.
The link you gave looks more for a keg use. I would go with m3's w/ the upgrade needle valve. can be found here.
http://www.marine-monsters.com/front/products/co2_regulator.html

 

[dragon_slayer]

Mark is it by chance a 'blue-line' regulator?



kc

 

[MarksReef]

It's the original M3.

 

[dragon_slayer]

only thing i can think of that might be causing your inconsistancies is the pressure where you T'd off from the return. if the feed pressure to the reactor is not constant (for some reason) then the back pressure on your CO2 changes and the bubble count changes as well.


best i can think of off hand.
kc

 

[Costazul]

Hmm, Dirt in the check valve?

 

[dragon_slayer]

dirt in the check valve would only allow water to back wash into the CO2 system when power is lost.

kc

 

[jeffchapman86]

zack136, thank you. I have browsed m3's product catalouge and find it a bit expensive. Is there anywhere else that a budget constricted reefer such as myself may look to find a less expensive regulator/solenoid/needle valve setup?

 

[Costazul]

Do a little experiment. Remove the checkvalve then verify for consistant drip rate. If it works, just buy a checkvalve. if not then begin to look for the new set. Experimenting doesn't hurt !

 

[dragon_slayer]

Is there anywhere else that a budget constricted reefer such as myself may look to find a less expensive regulator/solenoid/needle valve setup?

Jeff

the CO2 portion of a Ca reactor is one thing you dont want to go cheap on. the cheap regulators and esp the needle valves are a waste of good $$$ because they are not accurate enough at low settings and low flow rates. save up and get the good setup, you can dose kalk until you have the $$$ to get it.


kc

 

[jeffchapman86]

Thank you for that helpful reminder not to go cheap! It seems that quality equipment always pays for itself in the long run. Would you reccomend the m3 regulator?
http://www.marine-monsters.com/front/products/co2_regulator.html

 

[dragon_slayer]

Yes.

kc

 

[Rfbeauchamp]

Great thread all, I really appreciate all the info since I just got a 1502.
Dragon Slayer, your post in this thread are unbelievably helpful. I would not have been able to survive with the instructions provided. Thank you. This may be a stupid question but I have not seen any mention antwhere of what the "pinch valve" is used for. I would appreciate any info.

Thanks,

 

[dragon_slayer]

Dragon Slayer, your post in this thread are unbelievably helpful. I would not have been able to survive with the instructions provided. Thank you.

:thumbsup:

This may be a stupid question but I have not seen any mention antwhere of what the "pinch valve" is used for. I would appreciate any info.

a pinch valve is used to 'pinch' the effluent line to set the drip rate of it. the korallin uses the gate valves instead.

kc

 

[Rfbeauchamp]

So rather than using the pinch valve that came with the 1502 I should just use the gate valves?

 

[dragon_slayer]

you can use either you'd like. thought they quit including pinch valves a few yrs back and only sent the two gate valves.

kc

 

[Rfbeauchamp]

Is it possible to pump RO/DI into the reactor rather than reef water? This will help me with top off.

Thanks

 

[dragon_slayer]

yes, you can pump anything into the reactor you'd like to,,,,,,


would it work at providing what the reactor is intended to do.....no.


if you want to pump in water, do it via an auto top off or a kalk reactor, not a Ca/CO2 reactor.

kc

 

[reefala]

Everytime I have had a problem with consistant bubble rate over the past five years its been a bad check valve or needle flow valve. i order a new one from marine depot and the problem is solved.

Mike

 

[liusteven]

Korralin reactor 3002 fixed finally!! I had problems with bubbles that would drop my water level in the reactor... so I switched the primary line and made the secondary line the primary line (~42 drops per minute) and after 3 day I can finally say it is working

My CA is 450
KH- 13.8

I also use limewater for top off at night when my PH drops...