Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
- Thread starter tkeracer619
- Start date
tkeracer619
New member
They're interchangeable as long as they are not a custom job or a long shaft version.
Typically as long as the drive cog doesn't stick out of the back of the head an inch you have a standard version that is interchangeable.
It probably needs new bearings and brushes. You can rip it apart if your careful and repair it. I actually have an economy drive that is as you describe... still works though. I'm going to do a rebuild on it like I did the brushless drive. Not sure when though.
Typically as long as the drive cog doesn't stick out of the back of the head an inch you have a standard version that is interchangeable.
It probably needs new bearings and brushes. You can rip it apart if your careful and repair it. I actually have an economy drive that is as you describe... still works though. I'm going to do a rebuild on it like I did the brushless drive. Not sure when though.
Last edited:
I ended up buying a 7550-30 with a 7017-21 head for $200 off eBay. I went through and low balled a bunch of people and just so happened to get lucky. Can't wait to get it up and running cause I'm tired of trying to dial in my calrx just to have the feed pump crap out or slow down.
tkeracer619
New member
Awesome! Welcome to the club! Post some pics when you get it set up.
Considering I just got the same pump, please ask away as I am sure ill have the same or similar questions and its hard to go back through 100 pages every time you want something answered.
balz3352
New member
Hey there. So I'm going to be setting up a calcium reactor here soon and have some questions. I have never set one up before usually do 2 part and on the tank that this reactor is going on kalk. Kalk can't keep up and I want to do calcium reactor with the masterflex setup. Really I just need to make sure that im putting the right stuff in the right spots.
Ive attached a pic with a drawing on it and a blank
Its a dual chamber reeftek reactor.
Im getting my carbon doser in the mail hopefully tomorrow. Have the masterflex pic below.
If you have some tips on setting up a reactor please post up!!
Ive attached a pic with a drawing on it and a blank
Its a dual chamber reeftek reactor.
Im getting my carbon doser in the mail hopefully tomorrow. Have the masterflex pic below.
If you have some tips on setting up a reactor please post up!!
tkeracer619
New member
Awesome! You're going to love this setup.
First thing I would do is not stop your current dosing scheme. Kalkwasser is a great addition to any high demand reef. They certainly can work together.
Replace the needle valve with a simple push to fit fitting. You don't need it anymore. Use teflon paste on the threads instead of tape. It's ideal to pull through the reactor instead of push.
Once you get media, have it all plumbed together, and the regulator hooked up turn the system on without turning on the regulator. You can turn the speed up on the masterflex to fill but go down to 20rpm to start off tuning. Once the chambers are full go ahead and kick on the recirculation pump to purge any air in the system. I'd let it run a couple hours like this.
While your waiting, without plugging the regulator power adapter into the reg, make sure the regulator adjustment knob is turned counter clockwise until you feel low resistance. Open the co2 tank slowly, then turn the regulator adjustment clockwise until you build pressure on the 2nd gauge. Close the valve to the co2 tank and make sure pressure in the guages doesn't drop. Give it a couple hours as well. It should hold pressure. This checks for leaks in the regulator and at the bottle to regulator connection.
Once you are done making sure there are no leaks open the bottle. Set the regulator for lowest amount of gas flow. 8 seconds per bubble or something like that. Plug the regulator in and set it to 6 psi. Over the next couple hours slowly adjust the regulator seconds per bubble setting faster until you get to 6.5ph.
Test the tank several times per day to see how the tank is responding. If the tank is still dropping add more gas and effluent flow to keep 6.5ph. Continue adjusting and testing until it becomes stable.
First thing I would do is not stop your current dosing scheme. Kalkwasser is a great addition to any high demand reef. They certainly can work together.
Replace the needle valve with a simple push to fit fitting. You don't need it anymore. Use teflon paste on the threads instead of tape. It's ideal to pull through the reactor instead of push.
Once you get media, have it all plumbed together, and the regulator hooked up turn the system on without turning on the regulator. You can turn the speed up on the masterflex to fill but go down to 20rpm to start off tuning. Once the chambers are full go ahead and kick on the recirculation pump to purge any air in the system. I'd let it run a couple hours like this.
While your waiting, without plugging the regulator power adapter into the reg, make sure the regulator adjustment knob is turned counter clockwise until you feel low resistance. Open the co2 tank slowly, then turn the regulator adjustment clockwise until you build pressure on the 2nd gauge. Close the valve to the co2 tank and make sure pressure in the guages doesn't drop. Give it a couple hours as well. It should hold pressure. This checks for leaks in the regulator and at the bottle to regulator connection.
Once you are done making sure there are no leaks open the bottle. Set the regulator for lowest amount of gas flow. 8 seconds per bubble or something like that. Plug the regulator in and set it to 6 psi. Over the next couple hours slowly adjust the regulator seconds per bubble setting faster until you get to 6.5ph.
Test the tank several times per day to see how the tank is responding. If the tank is still dropping add more gas and effluent flow to keep 6.5ph. Continue adjusting and testing until it becomes stable.
Is that an older reactor? Looks a lot like the unit a buddy of mine runs, I just can't remember the name. If it is, he's had pretty good success running reborn in the main cylinder and ARM fine in the secondary. We did fool around with the design a bit. IMO, The probe port is in the wrong chamber and I don't like the way the second chamber is fed water.
balz3352
New member
It is an old reeftek I got from a local guy getting out for cheap. Planning on using reborn throughout. We'll see how it works. Im hoping for good results.
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Loosen the screws & twist the tops to the wide part of the slot & lift off.
The center pipe will have to be disconnected.
There is a gasket under the tops & generally it will stick to the top or bottom surface.
A scraper or screwdriver will let you see the solution.
Just take it slow & you will have no problems.
Leave an inch or so of clearance under the lids when filling.
The center pipe will have to be disconnected.
There is a gasket under the tops & generally it will stick to the top or bottom surface.
A scraper or screwdriver will let you see the solution.
Just take it slow & you will have no problems.
Leave an inch or so of clearance under the lids when filling.
balz3352
New member
I have tested briefly its pretty dang quiet. Not silent but much MUCH quieter than the brushed unit i have.
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Yes both chambers.
slief
RC Sponsor
Not really needed with the carbon doser but it's nice to have one so you can verify the bubble rate. I keep my output at 3 PSI on my regulator..
Similar threads
