Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[hkgar]

Who was the poster that said they had a bunch of ls/16 tubing?I'm using the compact pump and would like to try it out to see if I can have a wider range of flow to dial in my c02..

Long shot but if you read this and you still have an abundance of it can you shoot me a Pm I'd like to either buy some or we can trade/swap for some 17..

Thanks Daniel..

Dialing in your reactor should be done by changing the co2 to raise or lower ph and the ALK of the effluent.

It is not generally changing the flow as increasing flow will decreasing the ph so then you increase flow and once again decrease ph. Reverse, of course happens if you are trying to lower ph.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Dialing in your reactor should be done by changing the co2 to raise or lower ph and the ALK of the effluent.

It is not generally changing the flow as increasing flow will decreasing the ph so then you increase flow and once again decrease ph. Reverse, of course happens if you are trying to lower ph.

I don't have a 1-600 rpm pump I have the 30-200 rpm one so with the l/s 17 tubing at the lowest setting ( actually lower than 30rpm in reality with the small motor and thicker tubing) and a higher flow rate I need more c02 to keep it in the sweet spot in turn lowering the Dt pH etc..

Overall I just want more flexibility and with the Cp compact I'm already running the PharMed tubing against the manufacturer recommendation in that size but thanks your advice is totally accurate =)..

 

[naterealbig]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Hey guys, great thread! I'm planning on building a dual stage regulator setup with a quality metering valve. Would there be a significant benefit to the AP doser over a quality metering valve?

 

[tkeracer619]

Sorry buddy didn't see that, thanks for the kind words .

I don't doubt there are great solenoid valves that can make this setup work as intended. Simply adding one of these pumps to any setup makes it much more consistent. That was the original goal I had when setting it up years ago. However it turned out that taking the ph probe control out of the loop and delivering a metered amount of gas and a metered amount of effluent created a consistent output over the life of the media, regardless of media amount in the chamber. This happens because as the media dissolves the ph in the chamber goes down, this causes the media to dissolve quicker which balances out the fact that there is less media. In a typical system it won't work this way because the probe keeps the ph consistent. As media dissolves less gas will be supplied. It becomes more apparent the higher the demand.

The AP setup is great, it is a single stage reg body though. For some people that is a big deal, however it only takes a couple adjustments over the course of the bottle to keep it at a consistant gas pressure as well as a bit of playing when you first bring a new bottle online. Going with a high quality dual stage reg will keep that pressure no matter what. The best you could ask for the a dual stage reg with the ap add on box. A 2 stage reg with a high quality needle valve that can be tuned and stay consistent should work as advertised though as long as the solenoid valve can stay open 100% of the time and the needle valve can remain consistent. You could probably also program a controller to operate the solenoid valve like the ap box but unless it's a high quality continuous duty solenoid I would fear it getting stuck.

 

[slief]

I figured I would do an update here on my Cole Pamer Ca reactor setup. It's been about a month since I got it setup and I am absolutely amazed at the stability. It took me a few weeks to get my tank settled down. Before setting up the reactor with the CP pump, I dosed my tank to increase my Ca and Alk levels as they were low. I overshot things a bit and had to let it settle down. It took a week or so to settle down. Then I brought the reactor online and found that at 50ml/min and 6.6ph my Alk was again on the high side at about 10dkh and my Ca was high too at around 490. At that point, I shut my Co2 off for a week and allowed time and my automatic water changes to bring things back down. At that point, I slowed the flow through the reactor from 50ml/min to 42ml/min and increased the pH from 6.6 to 6.72ish which seems to be the sweet spot. After a week of running at that rate, my Alk is at 9.0dkh, my Ca at 450 and Mg at 1320 which are all about where I wanted them.

For those that are wondering why we use these Cole Parmer pumps on our calcium reactors, the comination of a good regulator coupled with the Cole Parmer pump makes setting up and maintaining a consistantly stable Ca reactor a dream. I've run Ca Reactors before use used a traditional feed pump and a needle valve which was a nightmare. The effluent lines would clog regularly and the pH would be all over the map and as a result, the controller was constantly intervening. With the Cole Parmer and a decent regulator (I use the AquariumPlants regulator), my Apex hasn't had to shut the solenoid off once. The pH in the reactor is a close to flatline as it could possibly be. The graph below covers 2 days and as you can see, the pH in the reactor only drifted by .02 pH. That is insanely stable and it shows what consistant flow coupled with consistant Co2 rate can do for a reactors stability. You cannot achieve that kind of pH stability in a CaRx without the intervention of a controller unless you use one of these pumps.

As it sits now, I am at about 42ml/min (15 rpm) flow and about 1 bubble every 3 seconds to maintain a 6.72'ish pH in my Geo 818 CaRx.

Here is the reactors pH graph.. I can't imagine pH being any more stable than that and it's due primarily to the use of my Cole Parmer pump that manages the flow through the reactor perfectly.

 

[machodik]

Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Dear all,

I have learned a lot of thing about my calcium reactor and thru the recommendation of nice people around , I am able to selected and buy my GEO 618 , Aquarium plant carbon doser regulator of which I am so happy and satisfied about their performance and I should say I owe all of your guys for this nice buy I made.

Unfortunately , recently I am experiencing as every out there of the clogging in my effluent that I need to adjust every now and then that causing some variations in the water parameter .

I come to understand the need of spending more money on the brushless DC peristaltic pumps , it is indeed a big investment to me that I feel the need .

In this regard , in my country Taiwan, I have seen a distributor of cole Palmer Masterflex pumps but I am really get lost in choosing the right pumps or should I say the right model for our needs , also I am confuse on different sizes and materials of the tubing etc.

Can you guys give me some support and enlightened me which model I have to select , I am herewith showing their various model as presented In their webpage ;

As you can see they have model; C/L, L/S, I/P, B/T.

Furthermore , I also hear about another brand or supplier by the name of APT instrument, that also has some reefer is also recommend me as well.

I am not sure when we selecting any peristaltic pumps should we focus on their flow rate, RPM , tubing materials , easy load or not and I also concern on the noise it created as I don't have fish room like most of the people her , so noise is also my concern too.

Hope you will give me some good guideline as this is not a small investment indeed.



Cheers ,


MD

 

[tkeracer619]

We tend to use the LS Variable speed drives and use precision tubing.

Pharmed BPT tubing is one of the best tubing choices and most of us use LS17 size tubing.

The Easy load heads are great. You might want to call and talk to your distributor about specifics if you are buying new.

Contact your sales rep and talk to them about your needs. You need continuous duty. any of the speed ranges are fine, I prefer the 6-600rpm drives.

 

[machodik]

Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

We tend to use the LS Variable speed drives and use precision tubing.

Pharmed BPT tubing is one of the best tubing choices and most of us use LS17 size tubing.

The Easy load heads are great. You might want to call and talk to your distributor about specifics if you are buying new.

Contact your sales rep and talk to them about your needs. You need continuous duty. any of the speed ranges are fine, I prefer the 6-600rpm drives.

Thanks for your prompt response . For confirmation is this the model you are referring too ;

Although it is in mandarin language but I have seen their maximum rpm is 100 rpm???

How about the flow rate(ml/mins)? Minimum to maximum?

The tubing LS 17 needs any adaptor to fit the R/O tube size normally our calcium reactor is using ? GEO 618 use this size of tubes.

For the non stop continuous running any specific specs we have to ask suppliers say 20,000 hrs. non stop running time or more ?

 

[machodik]

Perhaps specific model number will guide my communication with the local dealer here. Any specific model number will help .

Furthermore , I wonder if they sell the pumps from the head separately or you can request specific heads for any specific console (pumps)?

 

[machodik]

Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

By the way , if price is in accordance to my budget I prefer buying new and I wonder any prices range idea that you have in the US?

 

[slief]

Perhaps specific model number will guide my communication with the local dealer here. Any specific model number will help .

Furthermore , I wonder if they sell the pumps from the head separately or you can request specific heads for any specific console (pumps)?

If I had a choice, I would get this pump. It's a 0-600 RPM pump that is digital and brushless.
Model 07522-20
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Masterflex_L_S_Digital_Drive_600_RPM_115_230_VAC/EW-07522-20

I'd either get this Easy Load 7516-10 head or one of the newer Easy Load III's. You will probably want to use LS17 tubing as it will keep the RPM's down even more.
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/M...for_Precision_Tubing_PPS_SS_Rotor/EW-07516-10

 

[machodik]

If I had a choice, I would get this pump. It's a 0-600 RPM pump that is digital and brushless.
Model 07522-20
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Masterflex_L_S_Digital_Drive_600_RPM_115_230_VAC/EW-07522-20

I'd either get this Easy Load 7516-10 head or one of the newer Easy Load III's. You will probably want to use LS17 tubing as it will keep the RPM's down even more.
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/M...for_Precision_Tubing_PPS_SS_Rotor/EW-07516-10

Thanks for your recommendation .

Any other alternative in case money is also an option for selection?

Cheers ,

MD

 

[Greg 45]

slief what is the dkh of the output of the reactor
thank you

 

[machodik]

If I had a choice, I would get this pump. It's a 0-600 RPM pump that is digital and brushless.
Model 07522-20
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Masterflex_L_S_Digital_Drive_600_RPM_115_230_VAC/EW-07522-20

I'd either get this Easy Load 7516-10 head or one of the newer Easy Load III's. You will probably want to use LS17 tubing as it will keep the RPM's down even more.
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/M...for_Precision_Tubing_PPS_SS_Rotor/EW-07516-10

Further to my earlier reply, as I am newbie on this kind of pumps with very slim knowledge about this peristaltic pumps , I wonder thru your experience to what maximum flow rate (ml/min) you are setting for your effluent ?

You mentioned this model give 0 to 600 rpm , I wonder how this relates to the function in general or much lower rpm say around 100 rpm will seriously affecting the accuracy ? Sorry if this questions seems to be to basic as I really don't have much idea about this pump.

Thanks in advance for your further enlightened !

Cheers,


MD

 

[slief]

slief what is the dkh of the output of the reactor
thank you

Good question. I haven't bothered to check in a week or two. I can test that later today.

 

[slief]

Further to my earlier reply, as I am newbie on this kind of pumps with very slim knowledge about this peristaltic pumps , I wonder thru your experience to what maximum flow rate (ml/min) you are setting for your effluent ?

You mentioned this model give 0 to 600 rpm , I wonder how this relates to the function in general or much lower rpm say around 100 rpm will seriously affecting the accuracy ? Sorry if this questions seems to be to basic as I really don't have much idea about this pump.

Thanks in advance for your further enlightened !

Cheers,


MD

The 100 rpm motors and the higher rpm motors are essentially the same motors. The difference is the addition of the gear box. That said, the motor should be working less because the gears create the higher rpm. a 600 rpm pump uses 1 motor revolution to generate 6 pump head rpm's. At 300 RPM pump would use 2 motor revolutions to generate pump head rpm. Lets say you want to run at 50nl/min and you are using LS17 tubing. That is about 17.7 RPM on the pump head. With a 0-100 rpm motor, that is 17 rpm on the motor itself. With a 6-600 rpm motor, that is just shy of 3 rpm on the motor which would equate to just under 18 rpm at the head because of the gears. Thus, the higher the fpm, the lower the revolutions and in theory wear on the motor.


Most of us will end up between 25 and 50ml/min effluent. As such, having a geared motor whether it is a 200, 300 motor or 600 rpm motor would in theory require less rpm on the motor itself that the 100 rpm motor because of the additional gears.

Fortunately the cost difference between 100 and 600 rpm pumps is negligible when buying new. So you need to ask yourself. Do you want a brushless motor or a brushed motor because that is where the real cost differences come into play. At the end of the day, brushed motors are very reliable and work probably just as well as brushless. The difference is that the bushless are quieter and you need to replace the brushes ever once in a long while with a brushed motor. Fortunately, changing brushes is very cheap and only takes a couple minutes. As such, you will need to make your decision based on the above criteria.

 

[oshanickreef]

Im about to set up my calcium reactor. i have the AP regulator and a GEO 618 and a masterflex along with tubing and i ordered all of the adapters that i need. wish me luck!!

 

[tkeracer619]

Good luck!

 

[machodik]

The 100 rpm motors and the higher rpm motors are essentially the same motors. The difference is the addition of the gear box. That said, the motor should be working less because the gears create the higher rpm. a 600 rpm pump uses 1 motor revolution to generate 6 pump head rpm's. At 300 RPM pump would use 2 motor revolutions to generate pump head rpm. Lets say you want to run at 50nl/min and you are using LS17 tubing. That is about 17.7 RPM on the pump head. With a 0-100 rpm motor, that is 17 rpm on the motor itself. With a 6-600 rpm motor, that is just shy of 3 rpm on the motor which would equate to just under 18 rpm at the head because of the gears. Thus, the higher the fpm, the lower the revolutions and in theory wear on the motor.





Most of us will end up between 25 and 50ml/min effluent. As such, having a geared motor whether it is a 200, 300 motor or 600 rpm motor would in theory require less rpm on the motor itself that the 100 rpm motor because of the additional gears.



Fortunately the cost difference between 100 and 600 rpm pumps is negligible when buying new. So you need to ask yourself. Do you want a brushless motor or a brushed motor because that is where the real cost differences come into play. At the end of the day, brushed motors are very reliable and work probably just as well as brushless. The difference is that the bushless are quieter and you need to replace the brushes ever once in a long while with a brushed motor. Fortunately, changing brushes is very cheap and only takes a couple minutes. As such, you will need to make your decision based on the above criteria.

Hi Slief,

I always learning something from you . Thanks a lot for your brief details.

How about the flow rate ? I wonder if choosing a peristaltic pump is this also a criteria for selecting the right pump for us ? As you mentioned generally speaking, we end up 25 ml/ min to 50 ml / min. So in the model of Masterflex it said flow rate 0.001 to 3400 ml / min and I believed this can not be done by a 100 rpm motor ?

I ask this question as I am also considering this option but his specs as ff;

Can you further give advises and in case any comment on this pumps?

Cheers,


MD

 

[machodik]

Im about to set up my calcium reactor. i have the AP regulator and a GEO 618 and a masterflex along with tubing and i ordered all of the adapters that i need. wish me luck!!

Good luck!

May I know what model you ordered of your Masterflex pumps?

Cheers,

MD