Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

I have a black head ( and no I am not going to pop it) model 7518-60 and have not had any problem using Pharmed tubing. Granted I use this particular pump for my ATO so it is far from continuous and I still routinely change the tube every 6 months. So I am not a fair judge.
 
Interesting thread and glad to see these pumps used by others. I've been using an old Watson marlow pump for years to topoff my tank with kalk.

They're really well made pieces of equipment but definitely pricey if bought new.
 
Sorry guys I've been really busy prepping for and going through another knee surgery so I have been absent for a bit.

10,000+ hours was from a ColeParmer Rep. Who was surprised I was recommending changing the tube quarterly. They are easy to talk to and will go to lengths to get you the answers you need. Is the tube you are using expired? Unfortunatly I don't have any hands on experience with the performance series tubing. What I know comes from this thread in that regard. I think it would probably be worth it to swap out to a precision tube set. We know they are reliable, tubing is cheep, and readily available. IIRC this tubing has a shelf life of 6 years from manufacture date if kept in a cool dry place. You could also use silicone grease on the tubing to reduce friction but this has been argued. If the bearings are worn that can also cause rapid wear. If the tubing is stretched tight that also adds to it. Just thinking out loud here but you shouldn't be breaking tubes like that, you are the first person to mention this.

I really like the easy load heads but have several standard loads that have passed the test of time. They are cheaper and can be bought new for a reasonable price. If you talk to them about it I bet they will cut you a deal on a new head.
 
Can any part of this be dialed in before the setup goes "live" on my display?

For example, can I get my reactor ph dialed in before I put the unit in service? Just trying to think of ways to lessen the translation once I pull my lm3 dosing pumps
 
swk said:
Can any part of this be dialed in before the setup goes "live" on my display?

For example, can I get my reactor ph dialed in before I put the unit in service? Just trying to think of ways to lessen the translation once I pull my lm3 dosing pumps
Click to expand...

No, not really. Ph is determined by a number of things,
ph of the tank water
flow rate through the reactor
rate of co2 bubbles
pressure (size) of the co2 bubbles.

Ph is only relevant as it is a reflection of the acidity of the water necessary to dissolve the argonite. Flow rate and effluent ALK are the important things to maintain tank ALK.

Here is a link that may be helpful. Not the section on replacing a supplement:

http://reef.diesyst.com/reactor/reactor.html
 
hkgar said:
No, not really. Ph is determined by a number of things,
ph of the tank water
flow rate through the reactor
rate of co2 bubbles
pressure (size) of the co2 bubbles.

Ph is only relevant as it is a reflection of the acidity of the water necessary to dissolve the argonite. Flow rate and effluent ALK are the important things to maintain tank ALK.

Here is a link that may be helpful. Not the section on replacing a supplement:

http://reef.diesyst.com/reactor/reactor.html
Click to expand...


Ok - so I need to just bite the bullet and change it over? What a great link. Thank you so much. Things have been so stable I'm a bit sketched out on doing this, but I am becoming of the belief that this is the best way of supplementation for sps-centric aquaria.
 
Does anyone know how loud the SVP Series of Stenner pumps are?

They're designed for continuous work.

edit: finding some info deeper in the thread.
 
Last edited:
EvMiBo said:
Does anyone know how loud the SVP Series of Stenner pumps are?

I'm sure somebody has to be using one of Stenner's pumps, how do you like it?
Click to expand...


I recently looked at one when I purchased my setup. It was pretty dang loud imo. I said no on that one because it'll be in my stand. If I was lucky enough to have a remote sump area it would have been a no brainer
 
Darn, I figured it might be loud. There was another person who was using one with his setup, username mntnbighker. I sent him a PM to get his opinion on it. Hoping my 7523-70 keeps chugging along though.
 
Troynel, that could work, but you would be very limited. I seem to see most people running their pumps around 30 to 75 mL/min. And that pump maxes out at 43mL/min. Even then, maxing out a pump like that (say you run it constantly at 40mL/min) that has such a low maximum output would probably put more wear and tear on it than you'd like. Assuming you'd be getting it used, I can't imagine the pump would last that long with our type of application. I'd look into a different pump, try to find something with a higher output (running it at it's lower end RPM will help it last longer), a digital readout, and brushless.
 
swk said:
Here's a quick guide to some good model numbers.
Click to expand...

I remember how cheap those models used to sell for on ebay before this thread took off, now unless you get really lucky its almost worth buying the 7325-60 and 70, the brushless ones new.
 
I wonder why the Cole Parmer direct replacement for the 7523-60 ane the 7523-70 are standard drive and not brushless? Maybe brushless wasn't (isn't) as good for some reason?
 
hkgar said:
I wonder why the Cole Parmer direct replacement for the 7523-60 ane the 7523-70 are standard drive and not brushless? Maybe brushless wasn't (isn't) as good for some reason?
Click to expand...

They are brushless. AFAIK all of the console drives are now brushless.

Theokie said:
I remember how cheap those models used to sell for on ebay before this thread took off.
Click to expand...
Yup, the price has unfortunately increased rather dramatically.
 
I just saw a 7523-60 for 200 plus shipping. That doesn't seem too bad.

There are a couple of 7523-70 for under 400
 
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