Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Turn off the gas to check flow in a no pressure situation.
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
- Thread starter tkeracer619
- Start date
IUfan
Member
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
Just tested the flow.
The CP is set at 50ml/min, in 2 mins had 100 ml in the cup. CP appears to be flowing fine.
Turned the gas off, flow was fine. - the Co2 feed line filled with water up to the check valve and then when I turned the gas back on, it couldn't push the water back out at all, had to crank up the bubble count to push the water out and get bubbles again.
I just used a standard John Guest 1/4 push to connect fitting between the Co2 in and the bubble counter, could that be an issue?
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Just tested the flow.
The CP is set at 50ml/min, in 2 mins had 100 ml in the cup. CP appears to be flowing fine.
Turned the gas off, flow was fine. - the Co2 feed line filled with water up to the check valve and then when I turned the gas back on, it couldn't push the water back out at all, had to crank up the bubble count to push the water out and get bubbles again.
I just used a standard John Guest 1/4 push to connect fitting between the Co2 in and the bubble counter, could that be an issue?
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Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
http://www.smartproducts.com/check_valves_series_300_modular.php
This is directly under my bubble counter so no water gets into the gas line.
IF there is too much pressure in the reactor I have problems pushing the gas.
I run @ 5 PSI with a slower flow than you. I like RO tubing better than flexible because it seats better into the fittings.
This is directly under my bubble counter so no water gets into the gas line.
IF there is too much pressure in the reactor I have problems pushing the gas.
I run @ 5 PSI with a slower flow than you. I like RO tubing better than flexible because it seats better into the fittings.
IUfan
Member
I have about 6" of tube between the Bubble counter and the check valve - could that be an issue?
Given the fact that when I turned the gas off, water filled the tube between the bubble counter and the check valve, does that indicate that there is an air leak in that section? - Given that the check valve should trap the Co2 on one ends, and the water should trap the Co2 at the bubble counter, so the Co2 should stay in the tube an not allow water to fill it? - is this thinking correct, or does the check valve only stop water?
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Given the fact that when I turned the gas off, water filled the tube between the bubble counter and the check valve, does that indicate that there is an air leak in that section? - Given that the check valve should trap the Co2 on one ends, and the water should trap the Co2 at the bubble counter, so the Co2 should stay in the tube an not allow water to fill it? - is this thinking correct, or does the check valve only stop water?
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tkeracer619
New member
Yes. That shouldn't happen. Check valve should stop everything. I think it's bad or the fitting junction is damaged.
IUfan
Member
Fitting junction on the check valve? Or fitting junction on the bubble counter?
Here's the fitting junction on the bubble counter, just std John guest, is there a special type that seals against gas, or do they all do that?
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tkeracer619
New member
They all do that.
Somewhere between the check valve and the regulator. Check valve is also probably bad.
Somewhere between the check valve and the regulator. Check valve is also probably bad.
scuzy
Active member
I would say is is the flex tubing he's using that's not a good seal. Have you swap it out with a semi clear one for use in refrigerators is cheap from home Depot.
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slief
RC Sponsor
I've used the 1/4" polyethylene tubing from Home Depot for years without issues on my reactor.
IUfan
Member
This?: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...-x-25-ft-Polyethylene-Tubing-701873/207144363
I have some, if it's safe to use, I can switch it out and see if if fixed the issue
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I have some, if it's safe to use, I can switch it out and see if if fixed the issue
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slief
RC Sponsor
Yep. Same stuff. You can get it at Home Depot, Lowes as well as many other places.
slief
RC Sponsor
Yes. Also used the same stuff on a number of customer installs. It’s perfectly safe for use with Co2.
IUfan
Member
Thanks all, I'll give this a try, If that doesn't work I'll try the new check valve, and if that doesn't work I'm back to square one [emoji848]
If anyone sees something else I'm doing wrong, let me know. Appreciate all the help I get on this thread, and apologies for taking it off topic with my troubleshooting
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If anyone sees something else I'm doing wrong, let me know. Appreciate all the help I get on this thread, and apologies for taking it off topic with my troubleshooting
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IUfan
Member
This is the tubing I'm using, it's what AquariumPlants recommended. Fingers are crossed it is the tubing
https://aquariumplants.com/products/polyurethane-tubing-co2-resistant-tubing-10-length
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https://aquariumplants.com/products/polyurethane-tubing-co2-resistant-tubing-10-length
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IUfan
Member
I switched out the tubing.
I also shortened the length of tube between the check valve and the bubble counter.
It appears that there is no water entering the tube. However when I turn the gas down or lower the bubble count, and set it to a level that won't drive my Co2 too low - the bubbles become inconsistent, and the ph slowly rises.
Here's my PH over the last hour since changing the tube.
It's definitely better, but still not perfect. New check valve arrives on Monday, will try that. I'll also keep monitoring the PH - installed a new double junction ph probe today also, so won't have to manually test PH of the effluent, and I can monitor easier. Keep you posted.
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I also shortened the length of tube between the check valve and the bubble counter.
It appears that there is no water entering the tube. However when I turn the gas down or lower the bubble count, and set it to a level that won't drive my Co2 too low - the bubbles become inconsistent, and the ph slowly rises.
Here's my PH over the last hour since changing the tube.
It's definitely better, but still not perfect. New check valve arrives on Monday, will try that. I'll also keep monitoring the PH - installed a new double junction ph probe today also, so won't have to manually test PH of the effluent, and I can monitor easier. Keep you posted.
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IUfan
Member
Looks like we are holding steady right now. Almost 12 hours within a 0.05 PH. (I'm targeting around 6.5 to 6.55 FYI.)
I have my Gas cranked up to 13psi, and bubble count is 3.1s.
Concerned that the Psi is quite high, previously before I tore the reactor down and moved across country, my gas setting was closer to 4psi to achieve a PH of 6.3. I'll keep monitoring and see if it holds this PH through the next couple of days
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I have my Gas cranked up to 13psi, and bubble count is 3.1s.
Concerned that the Psi is quite high, previously before I tore the reactor down and moved across country, my gas setting was closer to 4psi to achieve a PH of 6.3. I'll keep monitoring and see if it holds this PH through the next couple of days
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