Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Thanks for the help slief! I highly appreciate it. To hkgar, I also use the AP regulator. Curious as to you want to change the regulator..
 
Sometimes the brass fittings are so tight the brass is almost fused together. It takes a vice and a proper wrench to get the fittings off. They come off, it is just very very tough. If you want to make sure you don't mess it up or strip the nut take it to a welding service center. They can get it off for you.
 
tkeracer619 said:
Sometimes the brass fittings are so tight the brass is almost fused together. It takes a vice and a proper wrench to get the fittings off. They come off, it is just very very tough. If you want to make sure you don't mess it up or strip the nut take it to a welding service center. They can get it off for you.
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I called Aquarium Plants and they said that because of the jig they use and a locking nut, it would be impossible to remove without breaking something. Of course they wanted to sell be a new box for only $229, the whole unit is only $279. Fifty bucks for the gauges might give you an idea of there worth.

I get my CO2 from Air Gas, I might take it there to see if they can remove it.
 
I got a local hobbyists who's in the welding industry to help me replace the AP gauges with a victor unit. We'll see how that goes. Tired of having to adjust that too!
 
tkeracer619 said:
Yes, it is likely the dust shield on the bearing from either the pump head or the gearbox. Find and replace the bearing that is damaged before it comes apart and does damage to surrounding components.
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Thanks, just saw this.
I've contacted cole parmer for further advice. How in the heck would it shave off a piece of the dust shield though? Maybe I'll take off the head again and investigate further.
 
Has anyone picked up one of these cole parmer units that didn't have problems?? I would really like one but sounds like most need some work.
 
The model number is on a sticker that someone put over the actual information. Cole Parmer does not have a model 9000-610. You might ask what the actual number is. They are 4 digits starting with a 7 then - 2 digits (7***.**)
 
Well if my budget is 450 or under, what model would you get? Heavily stocked 150 gallon sps tank so 300ml per min is my target as of now with higher amounts in the future.
 
darthvader said:
Has anyone picked up one of these cole parmer units that didn't have problems?? I would really like one but sounds like most need some work.
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Most of them run trouble free, never had issues with any of mine. Just depends on what you get. I paid $50 for one of mine shipped to my door and it looks like it's hardly ever seen use but is an old brushed model and a bit noisy but not too bad at the low rpm's needed. I'ts a really bulky enclosure though as it's one of the older "digistaltic" models.

The cheaper ones are generally older and have been used more, as such they may need some service. If you find one that is lightly used you most likely won't need to do a thing to it except for replace brushes if it's a brushed model. The few recently that have had bearing issues I expect were very heavily used in their previous lives. A good majority of them have just been sitting in labs and only had occasional use. The cleaner and newer they look cosmetically the lighter use they've probably seen but the more you're going to have to shell out to get them, considering they go for upwards of $1000 new a lightly used model off ebay for $500 would be a steal!
 
I see that some CaRx users also have a kalk reactor. What percentage of Calcium Reactor users, add that piece of hardware. For those that don't, what do you do about the pH?
 
herring_fish said:
I see that some CaRx users also have a kalk reactor. What percentage of Calcium Reactor users, add that piece of hardware. For those that don't, what do you do about the pH?
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As long as you have a controller adding a kalk reactor is as easy as can be. I use a small food grade container with an aqua lifter velcro'ed to the top; less than 40 bux. I have my controller turn the pump on for 15 seconds every 3 hours. My PH during the day is 8.2 and night is 8.1...

After having a calc reactor for a few months, I would NEVER go back to 2-part. The tank has never looked better and my SPS are finally growing fast. I also would never ever own a calc reactor without a controller...to me that's a hard requirement.
 
Thank you

I haven't bought one yet but I do plan to buy a controller. So you can put the effluent in a high flow area on its way into the tank instead of introducing it through top off water? I think that it would allow me to have better control.
I understand that you put the effluent in a high flow area as well, independent of the kalk. Otherwise there might be precipitation if they are in line. Is this true?

Is it hard to maintain a pH of 8.4 in the day time and is it desirable?
 
darthvader said:
What unit model is this? I'm having a hard time finding one thats 600 rpm and will take ls17 tubing. Would anyone be able to point me directly to one? Thank you. I wonder if a stenner pump like this would do the trick. I don't see why not.
http://www.stenner-pumps.com/prod-85m5.htm
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It isn't designed for continuous duty. I use the same exact pump for my ATO. It runs up to 90 GPD. You can adjust the flow but the motor always spins at the same speed. There is a clutch that disengages the head when you slow the flow down and then catches every so often to push the fluid through the tubing. You can't really meter the flow like you would with a Cole Parmer and it would be very difficult to get than pump dialed down precise enough for our use. They use a fair amount of power and are VERY noisy but damn near bullet proof for intermittent duties such as that of an ATO pump. Bottom line. GREAT ATO pump. I'd argue that those pumps are arguably one of the best pumps for ATO use but it's not a good continuous duty CaRx pump and not designed to run 24/7.
 
darthvader said:
I'm having a hard time finding one thats 600 rpm and will take ls17 tubing. Would anyone be able to point me directly to one? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Most of the Cole Parmers will support LS17 tubing. As has been mentioned previously, you just need to either get one with a head like that 7815-10 or buy a head seperate which is what I did. Search eBay for "Cole Parmer Masterflex" and check daily for ones that pop up. 600 RPM pumps are always available there as are LS17 compatible heads but you have to be patient to find bargains or pony up to get a really nice one. You can search the model of the pump or head you are looking at on the Cole Parmer website www.coleparmer.com and check the specs of the pump and or head. That's what I did.
 
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