Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[awais98]

You can adjust the pinch. Basically it allows you to balance the heads to be the same. You don't want to pinch the tube too tight. Standard heads aren't always exactly the same.

For long runs use 3/8" or 1/2" poly to reduce head pressure.

Sorry for asking too many questions:

For simply salt water... it's not even Viscous. The runs are usually not long.... 5-10-15 feet.... does your experience say that there will be significant difference on 2 pumps heads?
If so then why not simply get dual head reef filler diaphragm pumps like Randy's for the continuous AWC?


Also if I have an adjustable compression head , how would I know that heads will be balanced.... or how much to pinch? is there a specific number? Turns etc? Or is it trial and error?

For the AWC: I'm thinking about the out from the DT sump will go to a frag tank via one head and from there it will overflow out to a plumbed drain line....
And the other head will bring fresh salt water to the DT sump....
I like the idea of a salinity probe




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[tkeracer619]

A reeffiller is also a good way to go.

Almost all pumps even peristaltic pumps are effected by head pressure. The reeffiller also has an adjustment on it.

In my experience no two heads (in any setup) are exactly the same. Most of the time it's fine but to minimize the effect it is best to use larger poly lines to connect everything. 1/4" poly line is pretty restrictive.

When I did my awc with the cp pump I didn't have adjustable occlusion and instead of getting one I just added or subtracted the length of the tubing on each side to balance it. Not ideal but it worked.

 

[awais98]

A reeffiller is also a good way to go.

Almost all pumps even peristaltic pumps are effected by head pressure. The reeffiller also has an adjustment on it.

In my experience no two heads (in any setup) are exactly the same. Most of the time it's fine but to minimize the effect it is best to use larger poly lines to connect everything. 1/4" poly line is pretty restrictive.

When I did my awc with the cp pump I didn't have adjustable occlusion and instead of getting one I just added or subtracted the length of the tubing on each side to balance it. Not ideal but it worked.

Thank you for your reply.

I like the idea of equal length of tubing until I get an adjustable occlusion head.
My cont AWC will be about 5 ml per min( 60 gallons a month) or max 8 ml per min
You think I'd still need bigger tubing ( mine will be l/s17& 1/4" poly)?



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[Navymedic]

Whats a good pump for a newby like myself to look into?


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[vhuang168]

Whats a good pump for a newby like myself to look into?


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Depending on how many bid on this. Could be worthwhile. Got mine from the same seller for $500. These usually go for $800-$1000. There is another 1 for $1000.

Look at this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152274409189

Cole-Parmer Masterflex L/S 7523-80


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[ostrow]

Seeking help:

I have a 7524-40 going. Not sure of the pump head but it's an easy load and ls17 tubing.

This morning no water was going through the reactor. I replaced the tubing.

but then on turning the pump on, a balloon forms in the tubing. Neared explosion. I'm doing 70ml/min. I see no clogs anywhere, water flows through the output side of the pump when I remove the tube from the connector.

What could cause this?

 

[vhuang168]

When you disconnect the output of the pump to the input of the reactor, does the water exit the pump?


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[ostrow]

Yup. And the tubing to the reactor is clear too

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

A balloon suggest a blocked passage down the line somewhere.
I would snake the tubing with a wire the rest of the way.

 

[vhuang168]

Yup. And the tubing to the reactor is clear too

Then you have a blockage somewhere in the reactor.

What kind of reactor is it?


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[ostrow]

Hm. Geo 817.

Didn't look it to me but will check the effluent line. That adapter may be a spot. Hard to get that piece off to clean....

 

[vhuang168]

Geo reactors sometimes have issues with excess CO2 pressure causing problems with effluent flow.


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[slief]

Geo reactors sometimes have issues with excess CO2 pressure causing problems with effluent flow.


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I've never had that sort of an issue with my Geo. Excess Co2 won't result in positive pressure in the reactor as long as the effluent lines aren't clogged. I suspect there has to be a clog in the lines either between the pump and reactor or between the reactor and sump. Whether one of the lines has a clog or the fittings, there has to be a clog someplace in line.

 

[ostrow]

When I read through this thread that was supposed to be one of the advantages of these pumps!!!

So, is this not the case, and if not, what then is the solution?!?

 

[slief]

When I read through this thread that was supposed to be one of the advantages of these pumps!!!

So, is this not the case, and if not, what then is the solution?!?

There has to be a clog someplace whether in a line or in a fitting. I've run this same setup for about 2 years now and never had an issue that you are describing and I too use a Geo. The tubing is swelling because you are building up pressure and that has to be the result of a restriction someplace after the pump.

 

[tkeracer619]

When I read through this thread that was supposed to be one of the advantages of these pumps!!!

So, is this not the case, and if not, what then is the solution?!?

You have a blockage somewhere in your reactor. Often they are in elbows. Did you remove your needle valve? If not that would be my first suspect.

Pharmed BPT LS17 can generate 13psi of pressure. If you are ballooning it you have a serious clog. No pump can overcome that. Honestly I am surprised the orings on the reactor aren't leaking. 13psi in a reactor with a 4" chamber is putting 163lbs of pressure on the lid. This is why I recommend pulling through the reactor instead of pushing.

 

[ostrow]

8" chamber.

No needle valve as I removed when installed the masterflex.

Only elbow is from the pharmed to the room tubing.

Will check fittings on reactor. Perhaps debris got in there...

 

[machodik]

Hi all,

Please help me solve my problem with my Geo 618, so much bubbles in the reactor , I use a peristaltic pump to draw the reactor water to the sump but the hose is full of air and parameters fluctuate due to no liquid being drip In to the sump


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[tkeracer619]

Hi all,

Please help me solve my problem with my Geo 618, so much bubbles in the reactor , I use a peristaltic pump to draw the reactor water to the sump but the hose is full of air and parameters fluctuate due to no liquid being drip In to the sump


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Turn off the co2 gas, does the problem still occur?

If yes, you have an air leak in a fitting, tube, or gasket. Take apart the entire thing and re-assemble using teflon paste on the threaded fittings and silicone grease (not glue) on any orings.

If no, post pics of how you have the reactor setup. Do not assume you have no air leaks, you must test this by cutting off the co2 gas first.

 

[machodik]

Thanks for the prompt reply TK,

Actually I saw some air space from the supplying hose to the reactor. This is the tube that is where the water from the tank getting in to the reactor , as I am using the peristaltic pump (Watson Marlow) pulling the water out from the reactor . And I can see so much air bubbles on the inside of reactor too


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