Korallin Calcium Reactor

[jdieck]

After experimenting, this didn't work well for me.

When I got a back up in co2 in the reactor, the effluent stopped dripping due to gas build up and the ph went up causing my ph monitor not to trip the solenoid when ph was dropping very low in the reactor.

The other "output" always put out water because it was part of the recirc. pump making the effluent a sure read.

If the CO2 accumulates on the top of the chamber and the valve used for the effluent is the one on top of the chamber it will be helpful to know if you found any reason why the CO2 would have not exited the reactor trough that effluent valve? (Exit 2)

 

[laud]

I meant it only stopped dripping water and started dripping Co2. Getting the perfect combination of effluent, Co2 and saturation is a never ending work in progress it seems to me.

Thanks

 

[jdieck]

I meant it only stopped dripping water and started dripping Co2. Getting the perfect combination of effluent, Co2 and saturation is a never ending work in progress it seems to me.

Thanks

Seems that the system may be lacking some feed pressure, how are you feeding the reactor?

 

[jdieck]

you got it - thank you

i like what you said about having both valves wide open - - ill pick up some new fittings tomorrow to control on the input side...this would seem to solve all of my problems, once chamber is full.

matt

Matt:

How are you feeding the reactor? Are you using a peristaltic pump? If so, peristaltic pumps, being of positive displacement, can not be restricted using a valve either in the feed line nor in the effluent (If in the effluent the pressure will increase and besides potential damage to the pump the reactor will leak. If you want to use a peristaltic pump to feed the reactor the flow has to be adjusted by the pump by either the pump being adjustable via changing the RPM or by changing the diameter of the pump tube.
If you are using a tap from a powerful return pump, try installing the effluent valve in the feed line and leave one of the two output lines fully open. My preference will be to leave open the line that comes from the top of the chamber (2).

 

[laud]

This is being fed by a Reeflo Barracuda, for the return and the protein skimmer. The feed line is off the return.

 

[jdieck]

This is being fed by a Reeflo Barracuda, for the return and the protein skimmer. The feed line is off the return.

I see, plenty of feed pressure there but... If you are still having effluent stability issues regardless of the effluent output line you use, you may want to consider feeding the reactor with it's own independent powerhead.
Although there is more than enough pressure from the return pump, any change in the operating conditions, adjustments or settings either to the skimmer or the return flow will result in variations in the pressure the reactor is receiving resulting in variations in effluent flow.

 

[laud]

I see, plenty of feed pressure there but... If you are still having effluent stability issues regardless of the effluent output line you use, you may want to consider feeding the reactor with it's own independent powerhead.
Although there is more than enough pressure from the return pump, any change in the operating conditions, adjustments or settings either to the skimmer or the return flow will result in variations in the pressure the reactor is receiving resulting in variations in effluent flow.

Ahhhhh! So, I imagine that when I turn off the return pump to feed, I may be screwing up the consistency. I never thought of that! Now I am stuck trying to figure out how to solve that issue EASILY! without too many equipment changes.

Thank you for your assistance. I basically gave up trying. I'll get back to you after I get my hands dirty.:thumbsup:

 

[jdieck]

Ahhhhh! So, I imagine that when I turn off the return pump to feed, I may be screwing up the consistency. I never thought of that! Now I am stuck trying to figure out how to solve that issue EASILY! without too many equipment changes.

Thank you for your assistance. I basically gave up trying. I'll get back to you after I get my hands dirty.:thumbsup:

Setting it up with a powerhead is very simple. the begining of part two of the article will give you tips. Usually you can either thread a John Guest or simply use a short lenght of hose to match diameters.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ctors-in-out-and-everything-in-between-part-2

 

[cmbspd]

I've been working to setup up my recently purchased used Ca reactor. I am having trouble maintaining CO2 bubble rate. It decreases from 1/10s to nothing over several hours, then I have to increase the regulator pressure to the bubbles flowing again. This continues until I get to fairly high pressure (40psi) then I give up.

My system was used and the CO2 check valve is somewhat corroded so I'm guessing that it might be sticky? I cleaned it with RO water but I'm wondering if anyone has a better idea - I know vinegar is good for most cleaning but this is corrosion on metal.

Likely not important but I'm currently only gravity feeding water to the reactor from my refugium, which is about 3 feet higher. My CO2 talk is also at that level. What if I removed the check valve entirely? I assume that it is only there to prevent water from entering the regulator so as long as that is above the refugium, would there be a problem?

Thanks

 

[jdieck]

I've been working to setup up my recently purchased used Ca reactor. I am having trouble maintaining CO2 bubble rate. It decreases from 1/10s to nothing over several hours, then I have to increase the regulator pressure to the bubbles flowing again. This continues until I get to fairly high pressure (40psi) then I give up.

My system was used and the CO2 check valve is somewhat corroded so I'm guessing that it might be sticky? I cleaned it with RO water but I'm wondering if anyone has a better idea - I know vinegar is good for most cleaning but this is corrosion on metal.

Likely not important but I'm currently only gravity feeding water to the reactor from my refugium, which is about 3 feet higher. My CO2 talk is also at that level. What if I removed the check valve entirely? I assume that it is only there to prevent water from entering the regulator so as long as that is above the refugium, would there be a problem?

Thanks

Usually when the check valve is the problem, the CO2 bubbles come in surges (Increase and decrease and increase again or flow/stop and flow again) but rarely stop completely.
My best guess is that gravity feed is not maintaining enough or consistent pressure inside the reactor for it to operate consistently. I would try using a maxijet to feed the reactor.
I provide some advice regarding that in the calcium reactors article, you may want to review it.

Part One: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ctors-in-out-and-everything-in-between-part-1

Part Two: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ctors-in-out-and-everything-in-between-part-2

Let us know how it goes

 

[cmbspd]

Thanks for the advice, but in this case it looks like the problem was the check valve. I just bypassed it and the bubbles are flowing smoothly. My CO2 is higher than the water level so is safe for now, but I've got a replacement valve on order.

Usually when the check valve is the problem, the CO2 bubbles come in surges (Increase and decrease and increase again or flow/stop and flow again) but rarely stop completely.
My best guess is that gravity feed is not maintaining enough or consistent pressure inside the reactor for it to operate consistently. I would try using a maxijet to feed the reactor.
I provide some advice regarding that in the calcium reactors article, you may want to review it.

Part One: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ctors-in-out-and-everything-in-between-part-1

Part Two: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ctors-in-out-and-everything-in-between-part-2

Let us know how it goes

 

[jdieck]

Thanks for the advice, but in this case it looks like the problem was the check valve. I just bypassed it and the bubbles are flowing smoothly. My CO2 is higher than the water level so is safe for now, but I've got a replacement valve on order.

Great!

 

[cmbspd]

Well, I'm still having a tough time maintaining CO2 bubble flow. I'm feeding water into my reactor using a powerhead and have a drip rate from both of the outflow lines. But I cannot maintain CO2 bubbles. I removed the check valve but it still seems like every day I establish a good flow of bubbles (1 per 6 sec) but then it totally stops by the next day and my pH gets way too high. I then ned to increase pressure in the regulator another 5-10psi to get more bubbles flowing (the cyclinder is still very full). I'm over 60 psi, which seems insanely high! Are such high pressures normal? The regulator certainly works fine at producing bubbles if it isn't hooked up to the Ca reactor so I don't suspect a faulty regulator. Any other ideas?

 

[fraggin]

needle valve?

i have my reg at 40 psi any lower and it shuts down quickly.

 

[[WDT]TardFarmer]

So to you korallin gurus out there, i.ie jdieck I have been running a Korallin 1502 since last December and it has been great! Last week I swapped out my media for reborn. Ever since I put it back together I cannot get the effluent ph to drop. I drip the effluent into a cup with a ph probe and unless I crank up the effluent rate to a steady stream the ph is much higher than what it is inside the reactor. i.e. When I increase the flow out suddenly the ph will drop down to 6.5 or less which worries me as I don't want to turn the media to mush. When I do the regular drip the ph sits around 7.00. I am not sure what has changed. I calibrated my probes when I swapped out the media and if I put the calc probe in the tank it is spot on. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[jdieck]

So to you korallin gurus out there, i.ie jdieck I have been running a Korallin 1502 since last December and it has been great! Last week I swapped out my media for reborn. Ever since I put it back together I cannot get the effluent ph to drop. I drip the effluent into a cup with a ph probe and unless I crank up the effluent rate to a steady stream the ph is much higher than what it is inside the reactor. i.e. When I increase the flow out suddenly the ph will drop down to 6.5 or less which worries me as I don't want to turn the media to mush. When I do the regular drip the ph sits around 7.00. I am not sure what has changed. I calibrated my probes when I swapped out the media and if I put the calc probe in the tank it is spot on. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Which line are you using for effluent? The one from the pump discharge or the one at the top of the chamber? Also how are you feeding the reactor?

Seems that for some reazon, when the effluent flow is low the water comming out has not recirculated trough the media with enough time for the CO2 to dissolve and convert to carbonic acid. This I imagine could happen if there is a leak in the hose or connector at the top of the chamber that conects from the pump discharge to the tube that goes to the bottom of the chamber. Other posibilities are that the inlet and outlet lines are exchanged or that the pump impeller comehow is not pushing the water trough the media due to higher pressure inside the reactor if fed from a higher pressure source such as a T off a return pump.
If you are using a controller, it could also possible that the PH drops enough for the controller to close but is set (intentionally or due to a failuere) to open at a higher than normal PH (7 or more) and that you read the PH of the effluent when the controller has closed the CO2.

If you are using a controller, verify the settings for CO2 on and off and that it in effect is closing and opening at those settings. Check the pump impeller for anything strange and also all your conections. Check that the inlet and effluent lines are in the right conections and that the conection to the pipe to the bottom is firmly attached.

See if that helps.

 

[[WDT]TardFarmer]

Thanks for the response jdieck!


I was thinking the same thing about the pump as it does not seem to be circulating properly. I am using the line from the pump discharge and the bleed line just to bleed excess o2 or co2. I am gravity feeding from upstairs in the overflow through the floor to the basement.

I am using an Apex that is set to turn on the co2 at 6.70 and off at 6.50. Before I had it tuned in and it stayed at around 6.69-6.70.

I am out of town on business so when I get back I will test the pump and let you know. thanks again!

 

[[WDT]TardFarmer]

Well I took it apart and cleaned out the tube that forces the water down under the media. After reassembling it seems to be working properly! The pump was running before and I could hear the co2 bubbles getting chopped up the pump so the tube must gave been blocked. All is well, I love these reactors! Thanks for the advice!

Josh

 

[jdieck]

I hope it keeps on working fine.

Enjoy!

 

[cvcoda]

Does anyone have any idea where I can find replacements for the tubing connectors? They say Serto on them but I cannot find them on the Serto website. I was hoping someone on here would know where to get them... or what I can replace them with?