LifeReef Calcium Reactor

[Piper27]

Glad you got it dialed in, I think it would have worked with the needle valve, they aren't the best but the do work. I bet letting the reactor sit for a few days after each tweak could have helped you find the right setting in the end. Keep us updated on how it runs!

 

[ken6217]

Did you have a bad experience using life reef products? You suggested people buy another brand in the skimmer thread, and now said this. You said you had heard of people having issues with the life reef calcium reactor, what were they?

I have a Lifereef VS3 30" with the mazzei venturi running on my tank now. It works well.

I also tried an MTC skimmer as I had one of there's about 10 years ago, This current one is a 48" recirculating dual mazzei venturi skimmer. It had a Blueline 40 for the venturis alone, and then just need a feed pump to flow whatever amount of gph you want depending on tank size. This is the best skimmer I have ever seen perform. It is really apples and oranges comparing it to the VS3 -30" if you look at the specs though.

That skimmer is now part of Ca1ore's "bucking the trend thread" on his 265g tank.

Anyway, I was explaining the quality of the workmanship and materials compared to my Lifereef. It isn't subjective, it's visible. For example if you put Reef Octopus next to Bubble King you would see the obvious differences. Same here. The thickness of the acrylic tube and sheet, and the welds.

I made the post because it was another venturi (non needle wheel) skimmer that was out there. I did ask Dennis if he wanted the Mods to delete my posts about that skimmer if he wants since it is a Lifereef skimmer thread.

Actually I was going to post this morning saying that after seeing two venturi skimmers in action, going with a needlewheel is senseless. i'm not sure if it's the contact time or the method of making the bubbles or both, but old school is definitely better. I would put money on it that a 30" woodstone skimmer with a strong air pump would be better as well.

The previous three skimmers on my tank prior to the two mentioned above where Bubble King Double Cone 150, Bubble King Mini 160, SRO 2000. None of these come close to the venturis.

With regards to the Ca reactor, I'd rather not get into that.
Ken

 

[Piper27]

Ok you dont have to get into it if you don't want to, but that is basically what this thread is about. I saw you hint that the reactor is no good multiple times, which made me really want to know what the issues are. Especilly since when I upgrade my tank I will be looking for someone to build me a custom reactor if possible and I was thinking about seeing if Jeff could do that. The guys at avast (local to me) seemed too busy.

 

[d2mini]

Glad you got it dialed in, I think it would have worked with the needle valve, they aren't the best but the do work. I bet letting the reactor sit for a few days after each tweak could have helped you find the right setting in the end. Keep us updated on how it runs!

Thanks.
The problem I was having with the needle valve was that as I got it dialed in, I pretty much new around what BPM i needed and i was having trouble getting it to stick at whatever that setting was. I would make the adjustment, it would seem to be running fine, but then 12-24 hrs later it was either too fast or too slow. So then I would attempt to adjust and the same thing would happen. It was the fine adjustments I had a problem with. So yeah, maybe eventually I would have gotten it but then I would have been afraid of accidentally bumping/brushing it, or even sneezing in it's direction. That's how sensitive it seemed. Now I just need to turn the dial to a number and I'm done.

Especilly since when I upgrade my tank I will be looking for someone to build me a custom reactor if possible and I was thinking about seeing if Jeff could do that. The guys at avast (local to me) seemed too busy.

I don't know what his timing is, but Jeff seems to have no problem building whatever you want.

BTW, I should mention that he heard about my troubles and called me the other day. I had pretty much figured it out by this time but it was nice to get that call.

 

[sirreal63]

A needle valve is the weak link in a CaRx setup. They do make much better needle valves but for the price compared to just getting the electronic one, it is a no brainer. I just took the solenoid and needle valve off my Milwaukee and added the black box, it worked flawlessly.

 

[rogergolf66]

BTW, I should mention that he heard about my troubles and called me the other day. I had pretty much figured it out by this time but it was nice to get that call.[/QUOTE]

Best customer service in the aquarium industry! !!

 

[Joel_155]

Very informative thread. I'm no where near needing a Carx yet but I'll get there at some point

 

[clugo]

For you guys that run/ran kalk reactors before getting ur calcium reactor; did you take your kalk reactor offline or do you still run it?

 

[rogergolf66]

I run cal reactor 24/7 and I run kalk when the tank lights r off to help keep ph up

 

[clugo]

unfort my kalk reactor is connected to my ato. So can't control when it doses.

 

[rogergolf66]

I setup a separate peristaltic pump in the rodi holding tank. So 2 pumps one water storage. 1 pump runs to ato straight to sump. Second pump pulling from same water storage runs through kalk reactor. With peristaltic pump setup on A controller to dose when ever u want. I do it every hour when lights r off

 

[clugo]

I see. Interesting. Thx.

 

[clugo]

So I have what may be a silly question. I'm about to turn my reactor on tomorrow I was wondering what stops the water from flowing through the elbow in front of the recirculating pump up into the bubble counter from the top elbow? Is it the pressure from the CO2 tank pushing air up through the bubble counter and out of the top 90° elbow down to that 90° and friendly recirculator pump?

 

[clugo]

I'm also assuming that white nipple under the bubble counter will leak the fluid inside the bubble counter until gas is being pushed thru it....right?

 

[d2mini]

I'm also assuming that white nipple under the bubble counter will leak the fluid inside the bubble counter until gas is being pushed thru it....right?

Hadn't thought about it. Check Valve?

So I have what may be a silly question. I'm about to turn my reactor on tomorrow I was wondering what stops the water from flowing through the elbow in front of the recirculating pump up into the bubble counter from the top elbow? Is it the pressure from the CO2 tank pushing air up through the bubble counter and out of the top 90° elbow down to that 90° and friendly recirculator pump?

Check Valve here for sure. But don't cut the length of tubing. Keep it long and loop it just in case any water makes its way back. Have you not filled it yet? Use Glycerin. It slows down the bubbles making them easier to count, and it won't evaporate over a couple months like RO water will. And it just looks cool watching them in slow motion.

 

[clugo]

Hey, d2mini!

I filled the bubble counter last night with an oil Melevsreef recommended, but it started to leak from the bottom of the counter thru the white nipple which makes sense but I was wondering how that fluid stays in? Does the CO2 pushing thru answer that question?

I haven't yet connected the CO2 tank, reg or hosing. Plan to make those connections today.

 

[d2mini]

It shouldn't leak. If working correctly, liquid (and air) can only move in one direction thru a check valve.

 

[clugo]

i agree. Ill call Jeff.

 

[clugo]

So I got everythg setup and now the used uniweld reg isn't working. Goes to show about buying used. I've never had so many issues w a used product. I've replace connectors on the reactor, the recirc pump and now regulator isn't letting co2 flow thru to the reactor.

Any regulator experts that can help?

 

[Piper27]

Does it have a solenoid on the regulator thats not plugged in?

Buying used calcium reactors I have had bad luck. Controllers and probes and pumps always crap out on me. I can't wait to get a big tank with a new one.