hkgar
Active member
Yup, helps to tell the pump what tube size you are using.
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
- Thread starter tkeracer619
- Start date
Yup, helps to tell the pump what tube size you are using.
Jonnywhoop
Member
600 RPM Cole Parmer Masterflex L/S 77300-80 Console
Is this a quiet, brushless motor?
Is this a quiet, brushless motor?
scuzy
Active member
tkeracer619
New member
No, the 77300-80 is a brushed unit.
tkeracer619
New member
You don't need to set the ph with a controller. If I am running a controller I will set it a couple points less than operating. So if I have the ph tuned to 6.5 at that particular moment ill have the ph set to turn off at 6.2.
The goal with this setup is to tune the reactor to the tank. let both the pump and the regulator to push constant amounts of effluent and gas (requires a good reg). By using a ph controller to maintain a set point it doesn't let the ph drop in the chamber as media dissolves. This is explained in the first couple posts. Using the reactor setup in such a manner as suggested the ph drops as media dissolves which then dissolves the media faster. The net output of the reactor doesn't change and there is no need to retune the reactor after service to refill the media. The only adjustments made beyond that would be for increased demand.
The goal with this setup is to tune the reactor to the tank. let both the pump and the regulator to push constant amounts of effluent and gas (requires a good reg). By using a ph controller to maintain a set point it doesn't let the ph drop in the chamber as media dissolves. This is explained in the first couple posts. Using the reactor setup in such a manner as suggested the ph drops as media dissolves which then dissolves the media faster. The net output of the reactor doesn't change and there is no need to retune the reactor after service to refill the media. The only adjustments made beyond that would be for increased demand.
hkgar
Active member
I have been using this system since the beginning of this thread and it works great, with only periodic adjustments for increasing demand. My demand is now at 2.2 dKH/day.
Because of low PH (7.8 high) I decided to dose Kalk in my ATO (evaporation rate of about 6.8 G/day). The reactor needs more adjustment as the evaporation rate changes and the concentration in the ATO
Because of low PH (7.8 high) I decided to dose Kalk in my ATO (evaporation rate of about 6.8 G/day). The reactor needs more adjustment as the evaporation rate changes and the concentration in the ATO
balz3352
New member
Anyway to get ph probe to stop leaking air? Thing is a sob to put in and take out. Please help.
Never mind I guess I had it cross threaded
Nope still leaks cannot pull through. Probably have to pushing through this reactor. This reactor is giving me some hell.
Never mind I guess I had it cross threaded
Nope still leaks cannot pull through. Probably have to pushing through this reactor. This reactor is giving me some hell.
Last edited:
balz3352
New member
Old reeftek
tkeracer619
New member
I always recommend full disassembly of any reactor. Re-assemble with some teflon paste. Most of the time they are put together with teflon tape, tef tape is junk for this application.
In your case the uniseals may be a pain.
That ph probe holder looks like it has seen better days. Maybe time to replace it.
In your case the uniseals may be a pain.
That ph probe holder looks like it has seen better days. Maybe time to replace it.
balz3352
New member
I actually had to replace the uniseals which actually turned into permanently weldon 40 pvc into place so that's no longer an issue now I agree probably going to have to replace the ph holder. Which im not looking forward to.
Jonnywhoop
Member
I just picked up a 7523-80 with an easy load 3!!! Hurt my wallet but I hope my tank will be more stable from now on.
Where can i find L/S 17 tubing in a SMALL quantity. I doubt I need 25' worth.. or is anyone willing to sell me a foot or two?
I was also looking at the Tygon Pharmed: but I dont know which size I need.
LS17 = 3/8 OD and 1/4 ID, correct?
Also, another foot question: When the demand of my tank goes up, do I just increase the effluent flow? what is the process to increase my output without tweaking everything? (I will be setting up next week so I have no other experience with the unit yet)
MRC CR2 Dual
Masterflex 7523-80 Easy Load 3
Carbon Doser Regulator
Apex - with BRS double junction probe
Reborn TLF - 8lb media
Thanks guys.
Where can i find L/S 17 tubing in a SMALL quantity. I doubt I need 25' worth.. or is anyone willing to sell me a foot or two?
I was also looking at the Tygon Pharmed: but I dont know which size I need.
LS17 = 3/8 OD and 1/4 ID, correct?
Also, another foot question: When the demand of my tank goes up, do I just increase the effluent flow? what is the process to increase my output without tweaking everything? (I will be setting up next week so I have no other experience with the unit yet)
MRC CR2 Dual
Masterflex 7523-80 Easy Load 3
Carbon Doser Regulator
Apex - with BRS double junction probe
Reborn TLF - 8lb media
Thanks guys.
tkeracer619
New member
Welcome to the club! Most of us are using pharmed bpt tubing from us plastics. Take a look at the first couple posts in this thread. It has a direct link to the tube. Iirc it's the fourth direct link from usp. You're correct. You want the 3/8 od 1/4 id tube.
You'll want to increase both gas flow and effluent the same percentage or just the gas flow while adjusting for increased demand. If you do just the gas, eventually your ph will be too low and you'll have to bump the effluent up to bring ph back to a normal level. This is why I usually just increase them both. You're aiming for a 6.5 to 6.3ph inside the reactor.
slief
RC Sponsor
I have that same pump with the Easy Load 2 head. You will love that pump! I am guessing you bought the one on eBay? If so, did that particular head support the LS17 tubing? I ask because not all do.
Jonnywhoop
Member
Yes it does support LS17, it said it on the close up pic of the head. It was extremely expensive for my needs but I figured it was a long term investment as with everything in this hobby.
Thank you for the welcome and wisedom. I went ahead and ordered the parts.
My tank is only 10g with a 7.5 sump. Its small and my setup may be a bit overkill, but whats a good starting point to tune my reactor? I was going to do 30bpm and 30ml per minute. (I also need to mess with my apex to start the set points up as well).
I guess my main concern would be ph in a tank that small, but with a two chamber reactor, I am hoping my ph will climb a bit.
slief
RC Sponsor
30 bmp and 30ml will likely be way high for a 10g tank let alone a small reactor. I assume you will be monitoring pH? I find that about 1 bubble every 3 seconds at 40ml/min flow will keep my pH at around 6.5 in my Geo 818 reactor which is a huge reactor. It's going to depend on size but as for the bubble rate, that will be dependent on the reactor size and flow rate. Flow rate will be dependent on the tanks Ca and Alk consumption. First thing you will want to do is get your tank to the target Ca and Alk settings that you desire. The run a Ca and alk test each day to determine how much the Ca and Alk is dropping a day. From there you can fine tune the reactors flow rates to keep up with the tanks needs. I would suggest determining what pH range is recommended for the media you are running in your reactor. Then target that pH range by adjusting the Co2 rate. Adjust the flow rate to keep up with the tanks needs. On a 10g display, your likely going to be looking at a much lower flow rate that you are thinking. Could be as low as 5ml/min..
tkeracer619
New member
On my 34 gal I am running the lowest RPM (10), 3psi on the reg, and a bubble every couple seconds. I don't know the ph in the reactor but it keeps up.
I'd likely set the pump to 3 to 5 rpm. Reg to 3 psi. And slowly increase the gas bubble rate until the tank becomes stable. It won't be much. Make sure to test several times a day. In a tank that small you could overdose quickly so start small, make small adjustments, and take your time!
I thought mine was overkill for a 34gal, you sir are an inspiration
I'd likely set the pump to 3 to 5 rpm. Reg to 3 psi. And slowly increase the gas bubble rate until the tank becomes stable. It won't be much. Make sure to test several times a day. In a tank that small you could overdose quickly so start small, make small adjustments, and take your time!
I thought mine was overkill for a 34gal, you sir are an inspiration
Jonnywhoop
Member
On my 34 gal I am running the lowest RPM (10), 3psi on the reg, and a bubble every couple seconds. I don't know the ph in the reactor but it keeps up.
I'd likely set the pump to 3 to 5 rpm. Reg to 3 psi. And slowly increase the gas bubble rate until the tank becomes stable. It won't be much. Make sure to test several times a day. In a tank that small you could overdose quickly so start small, make small adjustments, and take your time!
I thought mine was overkill for a 34gal, you sir are an inspiration
Thanks for the tips guys. I will be sure to:
Set PSI to 3
Start the regulator at 10 seconds per bubble
Masterflex lowest RPM possible
The reactor is a MRC CR2 Dual chamber. 18" x 5" diameter. Probably has enough volume to equate my tank itself haha But I hope the extra time in the second chamber can help with my pH.
Tank and reactor will be Apex controlled and I am using TLF Reborn Media.
I will be sure to post pictures of my setup, everything should be coming in by friday..
Please feel free to ask me more questions or offer insight. Been reading a ton these past few months but now that its actually coming together its a bit overwhelming.
Thanks to this thread and advice thus far, I am slowly gaining some confidence.
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