Korallin reactor question

[Herpervet]

Korallin (1502??) reactor with a Milwauke solonoid and regulator. I have had the equiptment for a few months and FINALLY setting up the tank.

Any tips on the best way to feed the reactor with water?

The instructions suggest a rio 90 or maxijet powerhead to pressure feed water. I am gun shy on anything rio as they are unreliable in my experience.

I also noticed the low pressure gauge must be defective since it never goes below 4psi even when the gauge is disconnected. I don't think this is a problem since I can still adjust the bubbles without any problem its just hard to tell the exact pressure.

 

[dragon_slayer]

there is a thread here that we have gone into great detail on the Korallin reactors. you can also email me at koi_man@hotmail.com and i'll send you a copy of the instructions i made up which have helped many folks here with these reactors.

hth
kc

 

[dragon_slayer]

getting quite a few emails so here you guys go.......

getting quite a few emails so here you guys go.......

here are the instructions.

kc

 

[dragon_slayer]

Part 2

Part 2

here is a blank setup sheet for logging your daily test results.

kc

 

[Herpervet]

Thanks!

That was very helpful. I shouldn't have too much trouble as it reads very clearly.

Any suggestions of ph controllers? I talked to a dealer that said they quit carrying the Milwaukee controllers 2 or 3 years ago due to alot of what he called "issues".

He went on to say the pinpoint controllers were real work-horses and more reliable.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[dragon_slayer]

IMO you dont need a controller with korallin reactors. and even with other reactors they are just fall backs to properly adjusted reactors.

to many people these days are using a controller as a CO2 regulator rather then setting up the reactor correctly in the first place (read as lazy reefer). using the controller to constantly turn on/off your solenoide to regulate CO2 flow will eventualy fail and crash your tank.

it only takes a few days to a week to properly set up any reactor and then the controller can be set as a failsafe in the event that you have an error in the reactor or CO2 system.

as far as the pinpoint, i really like their controllers and i use their ORP for my O3 application and am very satisfied with it. for pH i only use a monitor myself.

kc

 

[Herpervet]

Great tips. I think I will take your advice and set up the controller as a safety measure.

The only problem is that this is a new reef and I expect some rapid changes in calcium uptake in the months to come from coralline algae, calcareous algaes (Halimedia) and later from coral growth.

Do you think this matters at all?

 

[dragon_slayer]

i dont think you'll notice such a great difference in Ca uptake that weekly testing after you have the reactor setup will give you insight to a few tweeks here and there along the way.

kc

 

[KH971]

Dragon Slayer I thank you for all the great info. Marine Depot is sending me my aqualifter pump now, I should put it in Monday. I tried siphoning the water in but that did not work for me. The siphon broke 4 different times. So I am going to fix that! Korallin should acutally use your instructions and pay you for them. I figured out how to put mine together by their instructions, but construction and fabrication are second nature to me. My rock is about 2 weeks old now and my nitrates are just barely hanging around. So we will keep praying for the balanced aquarium.

 

[dragon_slayer]

Korallin should acutally use your instructions and pay you for them.

now there's an idea

kc

 

[vinstr]

I second that! I was lost using Korallin's instructions. Dragonslayer hooked me up with his and I got it running right away! I have not touched a thing over the past month or so and my calcium has been a rock steady 420 with a 10.8 dkh.
It feels so strange having so much free time now (after daily dosing and testing for so long)
Thanks again Dragonslayer!

 

[dragon_slayer]

:thumbsup:

kc

 

[Herpervet]

Set up with very little difficulty. The only confusing part is the Korallin instructions call the top outlet (the one that comes straight out of the top plate of the reactor) outlet 2 and you call it outlet 1 but that was easy enough to figure out.

I also only have one gate valve for whatever reason but I used a drip irrigation fitting as a replacement.

One question: If you split off the main pump BELOW the level of the top of the reactor and the power goes out won't the chamber drain due to back siphoning?

If you split off the pump ABOVE the level of the top of the reactor it should (and did in my case) prevent back siphon and draining of the reactor and the need to re-prime the reaction chamber in the event of power outage or when the pump is turned off for whatever reason.

Do you follow me?

 

[dragon_slayer]

my feed pump is in the sump and below the reactor and it does not back siphon when power goes out. you can unplug your pumps and check to see if you have a problem with that or not.

kc

 

[tboneman]

What size and type feed pump works best with the 1502 model?

 

[josh.vince]

will an aqualifter (Tom Aquatic) pump be sufficient to feed a 3002?

 

[rmosqued]

No offense, but this Korallin CA reactor sux. I finally opted to use the outlet on top of the reactor to avoid CO2 or air to build up at the top of this hunk of junk. I made a big mistake buying this crap. I should have just continued to use my nilsen reactor.

 

[jtma508]

I disagree. I've had the 1502 for over a year. Bought it used. The only issue I ever had was with the POS regulator. Once I got a decent regulator, swapped out the inline effluent valve for a plastic needle valve and added a pH probe lid it became set-and-forget. I have never had to use the vent (top) line and have never had air/CO2 build-up. There is nothing wrong with this reactor. It's all about how you set it up and run it.

 

[rkaires]

Smooth sailing for me too. Once you get your bpm and effluent set up your good to go. I second the plastic needle valve. Adjusting the effluent is a cake walk with a good needle valve.

 

[rmosqued]

I think I'll take your guys' advice on the needle valve. I'm just frustrated with this reactor. I read practically evey post on how to set it up initially, and still with the same problems. I'm going to order the needle valve with the other mod parts, so I can enjoy the reactor like the rest that have had success.
Thanks fellas...