Lets do this - 225+ reef bar
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13threefmaniac
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I see that the vortechs are doing a good job of displacing sand. Nice fts nonetheless. This tank is gonna look awesome once the corals grow a little more (not that it's not awesome already).
mcliffy2
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I just tried to get the CA reactor going and it blew up. Literally. Exploded.
I followed the directions and when I get to the point where it tells you to slowly open the main valve on the CO2 I twisted it ever so slightly, immediately heard a loud whoosh, followed by a loud pop. I looked down to see that the CA reactor has burst open (the acrylic literally split, top to bottom). I'm thinking it was a defective solenoid? At any rate, I guess I'm phoning for a replacement tomorrow.
I followed the directions and when I get to the point where it tells you to slowly open the main valve on the CO2 I twisted it ever so slightly, immediately heard a loud whoosh, followed by a loud pop. I looked down to see that the CA reactor has burst open (the acrylic literally split, top to bottom). I'm thinking it was a defective solenoid? At any rate, I guess I'm phoning for a replacement tomorrow.
Untamed12
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Cool... Are you really familiar with those regulators on the CO2 tanks? I'm not an expert on them, but it sounds like you may have released a LOT of pressurized CO2 when you opened that valve...
No reactor could take the potential pressure that could be released...something would have to give out.
Or..you might have a defective regulator which allowed tank pressure to go straight out to the reactor.
No reactor could take the potential pressure that could be released...something would have to give out.
Or..you might have a defective regulator which allowed tank pressure to go straight out to the reactor.
Untamed12
New member
You know....as I read your story again. "main valve" kind of jumps out at me. I assume that "main valve" would be the large one on the top of the tank.
If the regulator were defective (or maybe even improperly adjusted), then even a TINY, TINY crack of that main valve would release extremely high pressure gas...If the regulator isn't doing it's job and the line is connected to the reactor...boom.
I don't think the solenoid alone could hold back that kind of pressure. That's why you need the regulator in front of the solenoid to reduce the pressure to something the solenoid can handle.
I don't claim to be an expert here...I think that the left guage will show you the tank pressure (800 psi in my case with a mostly full tank)...and the right guage will show you the pressure on the other (low pressure) side of the regulator. I think you want this one adjusted almost as low as you can get it. (mine's reading 60psi and I think that is too high)
If the regulator were defective (or maybe even improperly adjusted), then even a TINY, TINY crack of that main valve would release extremely high pressure gas...If the regulator isn't doing it's job and the line is connected to the reactor...boom.
I don't think the solenoid alone could hold back that kind of pressure. That's why you need the regulator in front of the solenoid to reduce the pressure to something the solenoid can handle.
I don't claim to be an expert here...I think that the left guage will show you the tank pressure (800 psi in my case with a mostly full tank)...and the right guage will show you the pressure on the other (low pressure) side of the regulator. I think you want this one adjusted almost as low as you can get it. (mine's reading 60psi and I think that is too high)
bubbletip2
Premium Member
You may want to check out these two regulators. I just got the electronic one and it is really easy to set. My first reactor so it has been a learning curve but I finally got it chimed in. The regular regulator is also highly rated on RC. Good thing about the electronic is you don't have to replace solenoids and its really easy to dial how many bubbles/sec you want. Both of them come with a 3 year warranty.
I didn't get the one with a digital read out - it really just tells you how many bubbles you put in over a period of time - probably not worth the extra $100. The other unit's priced will be raised soon. I talked with the owner and he had said it cost them about $180 to build this regulator that they are selling for $189.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AquariumPlants_com_s_Electronic_Co2_Regulator_p/co2.htm
Here is the regular regulator:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLANTS_com_s_Co2_Regulator_The_BEST_p/co2-1.htm
Without hooking up the tank and regulator you have now to a reactor, open up the valve and see if you are getting hig pressure released from the solenoid. You should be able ot tell if it is defective that way.
I didn't get the one with a digital read out - it really just tells you how many bubbles you put in over a period of time - probably not worth the extra $100. The other unit's priced will be raised soon. I talked with the owner and he had said it cost them about $180 to build this regulator that they are selling for $189.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AquariumPlants_com_s_Electronic_Co2_Regulator_p/co2.htm
Here is the regular regulator:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLANTS_com_s_Co2_Regulator_The_BEST_p/co2-1.htm
Without hooking up the tank and regulator you have now to a reactor, open up the valve and see if you are getting hig pressure released from the solenoid. You should be able ot tell if it is defective that way.
mcliffy2
New member
haha...I normally do, but I knew this was high pressure stuff, so I was trying to be careful. As they say, the best laid plans....Richard @ Salty Supply has always been a good guy so I'm hoping he will help out, otherwise it could be a nightmare since it was one manufacturer's product (the regulator) that blew up another's product (the reactor). I could see it turning into a lot of finger pointing and saying not my fault if I have to deal with the manufacturers...I'm halfway tempted to just set up some dosing pumps with 5 gal drums of CA/Alk...altho it seems like my demand has gotten so high - I'd go through one of those a month. I'm now up to dosing 600 ml of CA and Alk each day, and I have to do 4 dosings as every 150 ml of Alk spikes the ph by about 0.1.
bubbletip2
Premium Member
Are you using B-Ionic? I ask because as soon as you get to 1ml/gallon of B-Ionic you can seriously throw off the ionic balance and it can cause a lot of problems. Not sure how that relates to other 2 part solutions. I needed a reactor because I was close to 1ml/gallon myself.
bubbletip2
Premium Member
major swings in alk/ca makign it even more difficult to get them back into balance. This is what I have heard as the result. I have never done more than a 1ml/gallon so I don't know from experience...
asnatlas
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12246915#post12246915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
notice the eurobracing is different - since this is in-wall I'm opting for structural rigidity over a little aesthetics.
Wow not sure how I missed this thread until now... When I saw the pic above and was a little worried... I am glad you made him overlap the eurobracing... I kinda questioned it in the back of my mind when I saw mine in person. I wish I would have followed up with it then, but that is in the past... Tank is looking great...
mcliffy2
New member
asnatlas - I came across your thread after I had ordered my tank. It was the reason why I asked for overlapping eurobracing. Sucks how things worked out for you but glad to see it didnt drive you out of the hobby. I've seen that you have a somewhat downsized tank in the works now?
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