Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[moondoggy4]

^^^^^ Yes I did I got if from a local guy (semi that is 130 miles RT) for 50 bucks. Not sure if I have the correct head or right tubing, the max for this tubing is 15ml/mn, I want 35 to 50 ml/mn.

I guess I could use it for dripping Kalk for now.

 

[michael.lemke]

I am sure this has been discussed already but was wondering if this pump would work well. I found one used for a decent price. I already have the aquarium plants carbon doser and love the results so far. Thanks for any input.

 

[herring_fish]

Look at post #1179

 

[slief]

I am sure this has been discussed already but was wondering if this pump would work well. I found one used for a decent price. I already have the aquarium plants carbon doser and love the results so far. Thanks for any input.

Yep.. It's been discussed and nope, that pump is not suitable for calcium reactor use. Stenner pumps are not designed for 24/7 continuous duty. Nor can they be slowed down enough to meet the flow requirements of a calcium reactor. You really need a pump that you can control the ml/min rates very precisely and one that can pump continuously down to very low flow rates. +- 25ml/min. While you can adjust the flow on certain models, the motor spins at a constant speed but the adjustment controls a clutch that changes the frequency that the pump head engages in. The end result is that the motor never slows down. They are also TERRIBLY noisy. FWIW, I run a Stenner 85M5 for my ATO pump and they are probably the best ATO pump money can buy but I would never even consider using one for a calcium reactor as they don't offer the kind of precise control needed for calcium reactor use and would also result in flow irregulatities due to the fact that flow isn't constant if you slow them down. Instead it's intermittant due to the pump head clutch engagement.

 

[michael.lemke]

Yep.. It's been discussed and nope, that pump is not suitable for calcium reactor use. Stenner pumps are not designed for 24/7 continuous duty. Nor can they be slowed down enough to meet the flow requirements of a calcium reactor. You really need a pump that you can control the ml/min rates very precisely and one that can pump continuously down to very low flow rates. +- 25ml/min. While you can adjust the flow on certain models, the motor spins at a constant speed but the adjustment controls a clutch that changes the frequency that the pump head engages in. The end result is that the motor never slows down. They are also TERRIBLY noisy. FWIW, I run a Stenner 85M5 for my ATO pump and they are probably the best ATO pump money can buy but I would never even consider using one for a calcium reactor as they don't offer the kind of precise control needed for calcium reactor use and would also result in flow irregulatities due to the fact that flow isn't constant if you slow them down. Instead it's intermittant due to the pump head clutch engagement.

Perfect, that's what I needed to hear. Thank you.

 

[tkeracer619]

Pharmed tube is rated at 10,000+ hours. If it is breaking you should call cole parmer and talk to them about it! Something is not right. Consider switching to a ls17 compatible easy load.

I've never had a tube break.

 

[zachts]

Pharmed tube is rated at 10,000+ hours. If it is breaking you should call cole parmer and talk to them about it! Something is not right. Consider switching to a ls17 compatible easy load.

I've never had a tube break.

Where'd you find that rating at? All I've seen is what CP publishes (4000+ at 50rpm) though that may be very conservative. Since I'm using their pump heads I go by their tube life ratings......

 

[Bpb]

Really looking into one of these. I see they can be found for a couple hundred bucks if you look hard enough. There seem to be about as many models as there are auctions though. It's like learning the entire hobby all over again

 

[zachts]

Really looking into one of these. I see they can be found for a couple hundred bucks if you look hard enough. There seem to be about as many models as there are auctions though. It's like learning the entire hobby all over again

Yes, yes it is, but that's the fun of it right?

 

[swk]

Yep.. It's been discussed and nope, that pump is not suitable for calcium reactor use. Stenner pumps are not designed for 24/7 continuous duty. Nor can they be slowed down enough to meet the flow requirements of a calcium reactor. You really need a pump that you can control the ml/min rates very precisely and one that can pump continuously down to very low flow rates. +- 25ml/min. While you can adjust the flow on certain models, the motor spins at a constant speed but the adjustment controls a clutch that changes the frequency that the pump head engages in. The end result is that the motor never slows down. They are also TERRIBLY noisy. FWIW, I run a Stenner 85M5 for my ATO pump and they are probably the best ATO pump money can buy but I would never even consider using one for a calcium reactor as they don't offer the kind of precise control needed for calcium reactor use and would also result in flow irregulatities due to the fact that flow isn't constant if you slow them down. Instead it's intermittant due to the pump head clutch engagement.

Is this the case for all stenner pumps? I can get a stenner svp 1 pump for 200 bucks. Does this pump use the same method as the above posted pump to control flow?

 

[Krazie4Acans]

The SVP line is rated for continuous use like the CP Masterflex pumps. Although there isn't any good pictures of what the control panel looks like and whether the readout gives you the volume being pumped or just the percentage, or even worse just a bunch of LEDs in a line that increase as the speed increases. I also don't see one model that covers the entire range the may be needed for use on a reactor. Maybe I just missed that and changing out the pump head would do that.

 

[swk]

Gotcha. I passed on it as I found it kind of loud but check out this deal. Got all this stuff for 200. Just need a solid feed pump and ph controller and I'm good to go. I currently run a reef angel, but all I need is a probe to read the ph inside the unit, correct? The gas always stays on in this application?

 

[Krazie4Acans]

I hope you got the top to the reactor as well. As long as you have a free probe connection on your reef angel then all you need is the probe. The goal with using this pump is to keep the gas on constant so that the regulator doesn't have to switch on and off constantly and to have a steady metered flow of effluent.

 

[swk]

I hope you got the top to the reactor as well. As long as you have a free probe connection on your reef angel then all you need is the probe. The goal with using this pump is to keep the gas on constant so that the regulator doesn't have to switch on and off constantly and to have a steady metered flow of effluent.

Yes I have the top with the collar for the ph probe and everything.

I don't have a spare port but I guess there's a ph expansion I can get.

 

[Krazie4Acans]

I'll take you word for it. I'm an Apex guy so I can tell you what you need for that.

 

[swk]

Is the master flex 7523-70 a good model for a calrx? The only reservation I have is that it maxes out at 100 rpm. Any input?

 

[slief]

Is the master flex 7523-70 a good model for a calrx? The only reservation I have is that it maxes out at 100 rpm. Any input?

Yes it is. The only downside is it's 100 rpm max. You will be likely running the pump between 17 and 40 rpm continuously assuming you are using LS17 tubing. In a perfect world the 600 rpm version of that model will be better but being that it's a brushless motor, it still should be a great pump. The 600 rpm versions use the same motor but have a 6"1 gear box on them that reduces the speed needed from the motor and thus the workload on it.

Ultimately it boils down to cost. If the price is right, I think you will be very happy.

 

[swk]

Yes it is. The only downside is it's 100 rpm max. You will be likely running the pump between 17 and 40 rpm continuously assuming you are using LS17 tubing. In a perfect world the 600 rpm version of that model will be better but being that it's a brushless motor, it still should be a great pump. The 600 rpm versions use the same motor but have a 6"1 gear box on them that reduces the speed needed from the motor and thus the workload on it.

Ultimately it boils down to cost. If the price is right, I think you will be very happy.

I got this pump and 2 easy-load II heads for 300. Now I just need to track down tubing. Am I correct in thinking that I just need a section of the tubing loaded into the head? Is that correct? Is the Ls/17 a good tubing for general applications?

 

[slief]

I got this pump and 2 easy-load II heads for 300. Now I just need to track down tubing. Am I correct in thinking that I just need a section of the tubing loaded into the head? Is that correct? Is the Ls/17 a good tubing for general applications?

Thatts a decent price for that pump with two Easly Load heads. Which model heads did it come with? I assume they support LS17? The 7518-00 and 7518-10's support the Pharmed tubing which is the best tubing. There is a black Easy load that supports LS17 but it's not really designed for Pharmed but it will work with it.

 

[swk]

This is what I purchased