LifeReef Calcium Reactor

sseaner said:
No blockage anywhere. The Co2 bottle is brand new with 1000 psi and now I have 15 psi on the regulator and have to pump in a bubble per 1/2 second to get any bubbles to enter the bubble counter (very small bubbles). It is like the Rio pump is fighting the Co2. I am at a loss. As soon as the feed pump is off the bubbles come out fine. HELP!
Click to expand...

I know this is probably too late but turn your pressure up to 25 and see how that goes. Some regulators perform better with a bit more pressure. You are correct that the feed pump is fighting the co2 input.Hth.
 
Also if your drip rate is too slow you will have the same effect. It is a balancing act for sure but once you have the sweet spot you are in the no dosing calcium and kh zone. Obviously mag still needs to be adjusted by whatever means is best for you.
 
Hey guys,

I have a question about this reactor. The flow pattern is top to bottom. CO2, being a gas, travels up. There is no recirculation mechanism. Doesn't that result in very inefficient use of CO2, which basically escapes through the effluent exit line on top? Seems like it's very well-built, but I would like to know your thoughts on this issue.
 
RuskiBusiness said:
Hey guys,

I have a question about this reactor. The flow pattern is top to bottom. CO2, being a gas, travels up. There is no recirculation mechanism. Doesn't that result in very inefficient use of CO2, which basically escapes through the effluent exit line on top? Seems like it's very well-built, but I would like to know your thoughts on this issue.
Click to expand...

The blue line pump recirculates the water within the reactor.
 
d2mini said:
The blue line pump recirculates the water within the reactor.
Click to expand...

I meant that there is no recirc. mechanism for the CO2 added to the system, and the blue line pump recirculates the water in a downward flow within the reactor. The water injected with CO2 enters the reactor at the top and travels down. The CO2 wants to travel up (being a gas), and some of it might escape through the effluent line. I'm wondering if this is a factor and more CO2 needs to be used to keep the set pH inside the reactor.
 
oh, I see what you're saying.
Yes, the Co2 enters the input of the pump and then gets sucked along with the water up to the top of the reactor where its released. I guess then the reactor is then relying on that water flow to pull it down into the media? I see what you mean about some escaping up to the top. No idea what really happens though.
 
At first I had a lot of Co2 escaping. Once I figured out the effluent rate and shortened the line to the sump it resolved itself. I don't see any gas in the reactor body anymore.
 
I just pulled the trigger on a LCR2 from Life Reef.

Waiting for the build date, which will give me time to get the 265 up and running.
 
@d2mini, I just got myself LCR2 too. I noticed you did not use the thick sponge provided by Jeff. I am thinking to remove it as well because it is taking up spaces for me to put in more media but afraid small media might got through and damage the pump. How is yours doing so far?
 
prox said:
@d2mini, I just got myself LCR2 too. I noticed you did not use the thick sponge provided by Jeff. I am thinking to remove it as well because it is taking up spaces for me to put in more media but afraid small media might got through and damage the pump. How is yours doing so far?
Click to expand...


Read the instructions that Jeff provides. He tells what you should/shouldn't use with coarse vs fine media. I run a coarse media, the Two Little Fishies Reborn, and I started with Coarse ARM.
So no need for the sponges.

Once I changed to Reborn media and got the AP Carbon Doser it's been working like a champ.
 
I didnt get the instruction. Maybe Jeff forgot to include. Do you still use the quick disconnect kit? I got to say this calcium rx is really well made.
 
prox said:
I didnt get the instruction. Maybe Jeff forgot to include. Do you still use the quick disconnect kit? I got to say this calcium rx is really well made.
Click to expand...
He must of forgot.
Email him and he can send you the file.
I don't use the lower quick disconnect because it kept clogging. I replaced it with one of those mini 1/4 john guest ball valves. The upper one is fine.
 
Lot of good info I just put my LifeReef CA reactor on line.

I also wound up ordering the AP Doser regulator tonight
 
I just bought the LC2 as well. I tried a geo but it was a leaky garbage mess. I also got the AP carbon doser regulator lol. I'm running around 60ml per minute and 60 Bpm.

I have my pressure at 3 psi on the regulator. I'm dead on 6.4 ph in the reactor and my tank is steady at 8 dhk.

Thanks to Dennis, and all of your input into the thread, it took me 24 hours.
 
Ssteve said:
Wondering if all is still well with your reactor and if you have made any changes in the last year?
Click to expand...

I changed the entire tank. In fact, I changed the house, too. :lol:
Running Triton on the new setup.
But that CaRx with the Masterflex feed pump and custom dual stage regulator was rock solid.
 
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