My new 600 gallon reef

[jnarowe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12740422#post12740422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Goodwin9
Here is a video of the reactor using the ARM media, a little channeling, but NO bubbles.

Scares me to see te media getting tossed like that. I would never use that fine stuff.

As far as the bubbles in the one unit, it seems the unit is built in a normal fashion but there are a lot of connections. I would have to agree with LB that you must have a leak somewhere. Keep in mind that CO2 can be quite cold when it exits the tank, and therefore change the size/shape of some fittings.

The thing to do is start from one end and work your way through the entire device. It could even be as simple as a rolld o-ring. Trouble is you have already had more than one person go through it based on what you wrote. I would think by now the problem would have been found.

 

[patmack]

MMM I am looking for a calcium reactor and dont know what to get. Im not sure how much I want to spend $1000 on one but I just might have to. It seems like everything costs at least that much. LOL

 

[jnarowe]

They are very easy to build.

 

[Lunchbucket]

jnarowe - The two of us who looked at it never too everything apart or retaped or doped everything. I think once that is done the problem will be solved

Lunchbucket

 

[melev]

Since you are using a pH controller, why don't you change the effluent from a drip to a stream. That will force out any air with the effluent and keep the reactor from vapor-locking.

Aaron and I were just discussing this on the phone today, because I've never had that problem but I keep my effluent at a trickle (or tiny stream).

 

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12744205#post12744205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Since you are using a pH controller, why don't you change the effluent from a drip to a stream. That will force out any air with the effluent and keep the reactor from vapor-locking.

Aaron and I were just discussing this on the phone today, because I've never had that problem but I keep my effluent at a trickle (or tiny stream).

I don't believe that there is a leak in the system. If I shut off the output, the first sign of any leaks start at the top of the reactor. I will increase the output and see if that doesn't help, but I have my doubts....

 

[jnarowe]

on systems the size of yours Chuck, Marc is right. It should be a thin stream, not a drip on the effluent. but that does not solve the CO2 build up issue (if it is that, and not air intake).

Send it to me. I'll fix it for you and send it back.

When it is acting up, what does the reactor pH read? Does the CO2 shut off?

 

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12745407#post12745407 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
on systems the size of yours Chuck, Marc is right. It should be a thin stream, not a drip on the effluent. but that does not solve the CO2 build up issue (if it is that, and not air intake).

Send it to me. I'll fix it for you and send it back.

When it is acting up, what does the reactor pH read? Does the CO2 shut off?

The bubbles are a constant thing. It doesn't matter if there is CO2 going into the reactor or not. I'll double check, but I am pretty sure that there is a steady stream leaving the reactor.

 

[jnarowe]

well then you definitely have air getting in there. no puddle on the floor I assume?

So you must be feeding it with air. can you explain or post pics of the method you are feeding it?

 

[Goodwin9]

The Calcium reactor is fed from a pump located in the sump.

Which feeds the manifold, one of which runs to the CA reactor.

Which runs to another valve that controls the flow going into the reactor.

There aren't any leaks any where, so I really don't know how air could be getting into the reactor.

 

[jnarowe]

Thanks for the pics Chuck.

Couple things to consider based on these pics:

1. not much water over the feed pump so there is the possibility of a vortex being created and air being sucked into the reactor. Because of your low through-put, a small amount of air getting in through the feed pump would remain resident in the reator for a long time. This could even happe during water changes.

2. That manifold is a little scary with the salt creep and the 1/4" lines going in at extreme angles:

This looks like a possible venturi to be honest. The first thing I would do is ease up on the 1/4" lines so they are connecting straight in to the manifold assembly. Then I would close the manifold valve to the reactor to limit the pressure on the 1/4" line and subsequent valve. The little gate valve you have is a good one, but it is having to do more work than it should.

 

[Lunchbucket]

I had the SAME reactor. Mine wouldn't leak when shut off or show any water or salt creep but they have a blue line pump which is pretty powerful and I believe that it was sucking air in but it wouldn't push water out. Mine did the same thing!

Another thing I think I did was really tighten down the lid of the reactor. I think that was part of the problem...or was it a union. Mine did that but I fixed it really easily by making sure everything was tight and sealed

Lunchbucket

 

[Goodwin9]

Oh No...I did it again....

 

[jnarowe]

man, they need to use better boxes. so are you seing a therapist yet Chuck?

 

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12765402#post12765402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
man, they need to use better boxes. so are you seing a therapist yet Chuck?

Wished they didn't pack em in 30 ilbs of water, just kills me in freight. I'm headed off right after I get it in the tank.......

 

[jnarowe]

:lol:

yeah, but the more water they send, the higher the survival rate. If we really wanted to buy "live" rock, it would all be sent by plane in water.

 

[Goodwin9]

 

[Bax]

That's a beautiful chevron

 

[jnarowe]

WOW...SWEET.

 

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12765556#post12765556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
WOW...SWEET.

The one fish that I don't have in any of my tanks. This one is probably 4" and I have been looking a long time trying to find one at a resonable price. I hope this guy gets along with the other fish in the tank.....