hkgar
Active member
Here is a guide for how to set up a reactor that is replacing supplementing
http://reef.diesyst.com/reactor/reactor.html
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
- Thread starter tkeracer619
- Start date
Here is a guide for how to set up a reactor that is replacing supplementing
http://reef.diesyst.com/reactor/reactor.html
slief
RC Sponsor
Take it slow once you switch to the reactor and monitor your parameters daily. Make adjustments either to your Co2 rate and or CaRx flow. I would start your CaRx with about 25ml/min flow and bubble rate around 1 bubble per 3 or 4 seconds and see what happens to your Ca and Alk levels over the course of a week. If they drop, increase the bubble rate, if they rise, decrease it.
As for noise, yes the heads with the tubing installed will generate noise.
swk
New member
Well, the trick of moving the reactor about while priming did the trick. There's still some bubbles on the media, but I think I have it well enough and went ahead and fired the co2 up. We will see how it goes over the next couple of days
Effluent at 25ml
4 psi bubble every 3 seconds
All checked today via Hanna @ 140. Will test before bed tonight and in 24 hrs.
tkeracer619
New member
Sweet! I bet it runs just fine 
I'd test again before you go to bed and in the am just in case. You want to test frequently at first but at those levels I doubt it would spike anything anyways.
I use regular arm media. I have experience with many different ones over the years but always regular old arm in my setup. Buy it in 50lb bags, if you look carefully you can get it for about $90 shipped through amazon from Caribsea. That's half price of most mail order. If they aren't running that deal Custom Aquatics usually sells it around $120 shipped which is still less than most sell it for before shipping.
I'd test again before you go to bed and in the am just in case. You want to test frequently at first but at those levels I doubt it would spike anything anyways.
I use regular arm media. I have experience with many different ones over the years but always regular old arm in my setup. Buy it in 50lb bags, if you look carefully you can get it for about $90 shipped through amazon from Caribsea. That's half price of most mail order. If they aren't running that deal Custom Aquatics usually sells it around $120 shipped which is still less than most sell it for before shipping.
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swk
New member
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
Pretty sure I'll be able to remove it pretty easily. Just ****ed at myself. Have new john guest pieces arriving the 9th so it should only keep me out of the loop for a couple days at most. Better set the damn litermeters back up....ugh
Edit - was able to cleanly remove the busted off piece with a pair of scissors. God bless plastic lol
Pretty sure I'll be able to remove it pretty easily. Just ****ed at myself. Have new john guest pieces arriving the 9th so it should only keep me out of the loop for a couple days at most. Better set the damn litermeters back up....ugh
Edit - was able to cleanly remove the busted off piece with a pair of scissors. God bless plastic lol
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Spartanman22
New member
Has anyone set this up using a Vertex RX-6D? I'm planning on making the jump to a calcium reactor as opposed to dosing on my 100 gallon upgrade. I want to do this thing right from the start, however I'm totally new to the whole calcium reactor side of things. I'm set on the Vertex RX-6D and will use the aquariumplants.com carbon dose regulator but am not sure how to set this model up with a masterflex pump. Does anyone have a picture of their setup with this reactor
slief
RC Sponsor
I am pretty sure you can get that same John Guest style fitting at Lowes, Home Depot and Do It Center. At Home Depot, they are located in the section with the smaller brass threaded fittings. At lowes, they are located on a wall near the PVC fitting isles. At Do It Center, you can find them in one of the plumbing isles.
swk
New member
scuzy
Active member
i jsut got a masterflex and will be setting it up on my vertex 6d. Currently i am running a maxijet on it as feed but will convert to a masterflex when it comes in.
slief
RC Sponsor
For the pump head, you only need 10"-12" of tubing. I would suggest getting a few feet or more so you have spare tubing on hand.
scuzy
Active member
cool i ordered 10 ft.
hkgar
Active member
Go back to the 1st and 2nd pages of this thread for how to hook up the small piece of tube.
tkeracer619
New member
When screwing in fittings it's best not to tighten them too tight. You can always give them a little extra turn if needed but it is usually best to use a teflon paste if you are having a difficult time getting a good seal.
The fittings are available at hardware stores but you can get the John Guest brand cheaper at US Plastics if you are already making an order. I tend to buy a bunch at a time and keep them handy.
An easy out bit makes quick work of most broken off fittings but things like scissors also tend to work well. What you don't want to do is cut yourself in the process
The fittings are available at hardware stores but you can get the John Guest brand cheaper at US Plastics if you are already making an order. I tend to buy a bunch at a time and keep them handy.
An easy out bit makes quick work of most broken off fittings but things like scissors also tend to work well. What you don't want to do is cut yourself in the process
tkeracer619
New member
Congrats, welcome to the club! :beer:
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