Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
- Thread starter tkeracer619
- Start date
tkeracer619
New member
I think it is 6-32 threaded rod, it may be 8-32. Whatever it is ace has it. The cole parmers are great because they are hardened and have the correct long shank. More sturdy but it doesn't matter so much with one head.
hkgar
Active member
I started out with the standard heads (they cam with the pumps) but now that I have the easy load, I have no idea why I put up the the aggravation of changing tubing. You need to remove all screws as you need to take the had apart - front to back - to put in new tubing.
I change my tubing every every 6 months. Tried to push it once and the tubing split - small flood.
I change my tubing every every 6 months. Tried to push it once and the tubing split - small flood.
Gas Buildup in First Chamber
Gas Buildup in First Chamber
Hey chaps, looking for a little best practice ....
Finally got sick of twiddling with my calcium reactor and bought an older, used masterflex pump. My reactor is a MTC ProCal dual chambered unit modified to accept a pH probe. I am using the masterflex pump on the effluent side and it has been keeping the unit rock solid. The only issue I am having is that air is building up in the first chamber. When I was running the reactor from a manifold off my main pump, I was able to keep some pressure inside the reactor (3-6 psi) which prevented air buildup. Now that there is no pressure inside the reactor with the peristaltic pump I'm getting the air building up. OK, it's not that hard to purge it every week, but if anyone has a clever suggestion on how to prevent air buildup, I'm all ears.
Was thinking perhaps I'd move the masterflex pump to the input side, drive it a bit faster, and restrict the output needle valve slightly to get a bit of pressure inside the reactor?
Gas Buildup in First Chamber
Hey chaps, looking for a little best practice ....
Finally got sick of twiddling with my calcium reactor and bought an older, used masterflex pump. My reactor is a MTC ProCal dual chambered unit modified to accept a pH probe. I am using the masterflex pump on the effluent side and it has been keeping the unit rock solid. The only issue I am having is that air is building up in the first chamber. When I was running the reactor from a manifold off my main pump, I was able to keep some pressure inside the reactor (3-6 psi) which prevented air buildup. Now that there is no pressure inside the reactor with the peristaltic pump I'm getting the air building up. OK, it's not that hard to purge it every week, but if anyone has a clever suggestion on how to prevent air buildup, I'm all ears.
Was thinking perhaps I'd move the masterflex pump to the input side, drive it a bit faster, and restrict the output needle valve slightly to get a bit of pressure inside the reactor?
tkeracer619
New member
You need to get the effluent output out of the lid on the first chamber. I believe the mtc has it on the recirculation tubing. You could try feeding the reactor and see how that operates but i wouldnt use a valve.
tkeracer619
New member
Great! Glad I could be of some help 
. Smooth sailing ahead.
. Smooth sailing ahead.Trying to work out why I wrestled with this reactor for so long. Adding the CP pump has made things a breeze. Is these things that makes the folks here on RC such an amazing resource. Don't think it's coincidence that my tank looks better than any before it, and I'm more active here than ever before. Anyhow, great thread.
tkeracer619
New member
Welcome to the club!
What reactor are you running? Since you are having trapped air issues lets make sure we are pulling effluent from the lids. If there are no provisions for that, now is a good time to tackle the obstacle. You can always use a ph port if available and move the probe to an external holder. I use a pee cup.
What reactor are you running? Since you are having trapped air issues lets make sure we are pulling effluent from the lids. If there are no provisions for that, now is a good time to tackle the obstacle. You can always use a ph port if available and move the probe to an external holder. I use a pee cup.
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d2mini
Premium Member
FYI, made my first call to Cole-Parmer yesterday.
Needed brushes for one pump, and needed a set of pump head bolts for two other pumps, one with one head and one with two heads. Kinda confusing with all those CP model numbers.
The woman who answered who answered the phone was very nice. She did make a comment about the age of the pumps. :lol: The brushes was the easy part. Surprisingly, the bolts was a different matter. All the pumps were showing up as discontinued obviously but for some reason the bolts were not showing up as available any longer. Which I knew couldn't really be the case since that's more of a generic part... I would think. Anyway, she just got one of the tech guys on the same line and he instantly looked up the pump models and gave us the correct part numbers, both bolt sets showing in stock. Then the woman was able to complete my order.
All of it was handled very professionally and efficiently and with a smile.
Good stuff!
Ended up with a total bill of just under $109 which included tax and 10 bucks for shipping.
Needed brushes for one pump, and needed a set of pump head bolts for two other pumps, one with one head and one with two heads. Kinda confusing with all those CP model numbers.
The woman who answered who answered the phone was very nice. She did make a comment about the age of the pumps. :lol: The brushes was the easy part. Surprisingly, the bolts was a different matter. All the pumps were showing up as discontinued obviously but for some reason the bolts were not showing up as available any longer. Which I knew couldn't really be the case since that's more of a generic part... I would think. Anyway, she just got one of the tech guys on the same line and he instantly looked up the pump models and gave us the correct part numbers, both bolt sets showing in stock. Then the woman was able to complete my order.
All of it was handled very professionally and efficiently and with a smile.
Good stuff!
Ended up with a total bill of just under $109 which included tax and 10 bucks for shipping.
tkeracer619
New member
Ah a life reef. You've got it made
They can be very helpful. I have found them always willing to go above and beyond even when dealing with ancient pumps. The stock mounting hardware for two heads is way better than some all thread. Also be on the lookout for motors or controllers that come by themselves with the right part numbers. You can often land a motor or controller by itself for dirt cheap, sometimes they are still in factory wrapping. I rarely recommend buying anything from two separate sellers and putting them together but if you already have a working unit you can often source stuff cheaper because they can't test it. Only do this if they have no hassle returns and already have a working system.
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dcmartinpc
Member
Joining the club setting up my new reactor! I have 2 pumps coming with multiple heads, I got a good deal on some cartridge based heads so hopefully they work well. Has anyone here used them?
Head 7519-10
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...idge_pump_head/HV-07519-10?SearchTerm=7519-10
Cartridge - 7519-75
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M..._15_pump_heads/HV-07519-75?SearchTerm=7519-75
I picked up 2 variable drive units:
77521-50
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...0_rpm_115_VAC/HV-77521-50?SearchTerm=77521-50
7520-40
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...00_rpm_115_VAC/HV-07520-40?SearchTerm=7520-40
I also picked up a 7021-20 Quick Load head, I just need a drive to go with it now
I am going to use 1 of the heads for continuous water change or possibly kalk dosing and the other for my calcium reactor effluent. Likely all 3 once I get another drive!
Don
Head 7519-10
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...idge_pump_head/HV-07519-10?SearchTerm=7519-10
Cartridge - 7519-75
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M..._15_pump_heads/HV-07519-75?SearchTerm=7519-75
I picked up 2 variable drive units:
77521-50
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...0_rpm_115_VAC/HV-77521-50?SearchTerm=77521-50
7520-40
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...00_rpm_115_VAC/HV-07520-40?SearchTerm=7520-40
I also picked up a 7021-20 Quick Load head, I just need a drive to go with it now
I am going to use 1 of the heads for continuous water change or possibly kalk dosing and the other for my calcium reactor effluent. Likely all 3 once I get another drive!
Don
Joining the club setting up my new reactor! I have 2 pumps coming with multiple heads, I got a good deal on some cartridge based heads so hopefully they work well. Has anyone here used them?
Head 7519-10
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...idge_pump_head/HV-07519-10?SearchTerm=7519-10
Cartridge - 7519-75
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M..._15_pump_heads/HV-07519-75?SearchTerm=7519-75
I picked up 2 variable drive units:
77521-50
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...0_rpm_115_VAC/HV-77521-50?SearchTerm=77521-50
7520-40
http://www.masterflex.com/Product/M...00_rpm_115_VAC/HV-07520-40?SearchTerm=7520-40
I also picked up a 7021-20 Quick Load head, I just need a drive to go with it now
I am going to use 1 of the heads for continuous water change or possibly kalk dosing and the other for my calcium reactor effluent. Likely all 3 once I get another drive!
Don
As I recall the cartridge heads use a special tubing set, not sure you can DIY it and they are not cheap from CP.
Quick load head will work on either of your drive units...
dcmartinpc
Member
There are 2 different cartridge units. The smaller one, which requires the Microbore tubing. The larger one, the one I have, says it accepts standard L/S 17 tubing, and my understanding is that it is the same tubing that is listed here on the US Plastic site.
I hope I am right and you are wrong
I will know in the next week or so... I have all the standard equipment coming, so if they work together, I will update here.
Don
Dapg8gt
New member
S
S
(Edit I found the info I need in the thread but would still be interested in the formula.) also the quick load heads I bought previously for $30 are pretty snazzy in only needing to release a small metal latch on the top of them to swap the tube, no unscrewing etc for tube swaps. I'll post pics later for those who are interested if they are in need of a cheap single head for a CA rx that doesn't cost $150..
So on my hunt I have now acquired 3 Masterflex units.. 2x the compact units listed on the first page new for a steal (yet to receive) and now I just got in the mail today this pump.. 1-60 rpm with a masterflex easy load head a whopping $27 shipped =) .I contacted the company and was surprised that all replacement parts are still available and units have been in service without much problems for 10+ years, it's also designed the be on 24/7 without issues. I'm guessing it's basically a Cole parmer rebranded with different features for the injection industry and wastewater.
It's pretty quiet even at full tilt my question is where/how can I figure out what flow/rpm settings I am going to need to run it at. Obviously I'd like it quieter so under 30rpm is the best case scenario, is that what I should expect?
What's everyone else running there pumps at rpm wise? I know that the hose size determines the flow so should I go for the largest hose I can find easily 17+ and just test the output over time in a cup or is there a chart anywhere?
I'm going to look through the thread again I know zachts hoped me a few posts above with the other pump so I'm going to try to decode it and use it in conjunction with this unit for ease of use and reliability to run continuous.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the rant and long post I'm @ work on my phone.
S
(Edit I found the info I need in the thread but would still be interested in the formula.) also the quick load heads I bought previously for $30 are pretty snazzy in only needing to release a small metal latch on the top of them to swap the tube, no unscrewing etc for tube swaps. I'll post pics later for those who are interested if they are in need of a cheap single head for a CA rx that doesn't cost $150..
So on my hunt I have now acquired 3 Masterflex units.. 2x the compact units listed on the first page new for a steal (yet to receive) and now I just got in the mail today this pump.. 1-60 rpm with a masterflex easy load head a whopping $27 shipped =) .I contacted the company and was surprised that all replacement parts are still available and units have been in service without much problems for 10+ years, it's also designed the be on 24/7 without issues. I'm guessing it's basically a Cole parmer rebranded with different features for the injection industry and wastewater.
It's pretty quiet even at full tilt my question is where/how can I figure out what flow/rpm settings I am going to need to run it at. Obviously I'd like it quieter so under 30rpm is the best case scenario, is that what I should expect?
What's everyone else running there pumps at rpm wise? I know that the hose size determines the flow so should I go for the largest hose I can find easily 17+ and just test the output over time in a cup or is there a chart anywhere?
I'm going to look through the thread again I know zachts hoped me a few posts above with the other pump so I'm going to try to decode it and use it in conjunction with this unit for ease of use and reliability to run continuous.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the rant and long post I'm @ work on my phone.
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I actually spent a coupe of hours 'mapping' mine. The one I have is pretty basic (and old) with just a forward speed adjustment dial. But it is essentially silent. I'm using 17 tubing, and I measured pump output per minute with a pee cup at the various gradations on the dial. So, for example, at setting #1 on the dial it's about 50 ml/min.
tkeracer619
New member
The particular cartridge based heads Don has coming are ls17 compatible. They should work fine.
That clariant pump is pretty cool! Sweet find.
That clariant pump is pretty cool! Sweet find.
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