Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Or does it go on the effluent end of my reactor and replaces the needle valve? How is the tank water drawn into the reactor? If possible, can someone post a picture showing how I the reactor.

It replaces the needle valve. You want to remove that.

It pulls water through the reactor. These pumps can create more pressure than the Orings on your reactor can handle. If you push through the reactor (you certainly can) if the reactor clogs it will overwhelm the orings and cause a leak. It pulls water through your reactor the same way you drink through a straw, the reactor is air tight except for the input and output, so as you create a vacuum, it pulls effluent through the reactor. The can pull water very long distances and are self priming. Please pull through the reactor unless leaks will be contained in the system, it will work :)

Also, you're welcome, and glad you are reading through it! This has been a fun thread :D. Let us know if you have any other questions!
 
Thank you tkeracer619. I do plan on pulling the water through, I'm just waiting for a few fitting/connectors until I can start her up. I'll keep the thread posted moving on.
 
So I have been reading this thread for a few days now and i'm currently on page 40. I have to say that I am so thankful for this thread. I have learned so much from it. I purchased a Masterflex 7550-30 to work with my Geo 612 reactor. I know the peristaltic pump replaces the feeder pump, I just want to make sure I start this up correctly. Do I just place the input end of the pump in my sump and in this way it replaces the feeder pump? Or does it go on the effluent end of my reactor and replaces the needle valve? How is the tank water drawn into the reactor? If possible, can someone post a picture showing how I the reactor.

Take a look at this video series that I was involved in putting together a few years ago when I got my first Masterflex pump. This covers setting up a calcium reactor using a Masterflex pump on my system and explains everything in great detail. This link is to part 1 of a 5 part series that begins with discussing the advantages of the Masterflex method and ends with the final installation along with everything inbetween from installation to setup, testing and adjustments once it’s up and running.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vb9N1t5DM3M" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
What he means is that if you pull, the pump is connected to the effluent side of the reactor. The intake line going into the calcium reactor remains submerged in the sump so that when pump is on, it pulls the water from the sump through the reactor and then into the pump at which point the pump pushes the water from the reactor it back to the sump.

I undearstand the push vs pull concept. Question- is the purpose of a second chamber in a calcium reactor not to "œbuffer" the effluent in a way? Is it not supposed to help increase ph of effluent? If yes then pulling defeats that chamber? Yes no maybe?
 
Got a notice of delivery today by DHL.
Not here yet though.

Excellent. Let us know how it goes. I love my Kamoer. But. Came with bad instructions if you want to call them that. Then replacing tubing was a mission not because of pump but because I didn't know what size. Had to beg Cole Palmer for samples so I could figure out. The tubing is not cheap, and your forced to buy 10' which will last 10 years lol.

All that being said it's a great little pump. 2-3 years for me now going strong. But I want a back up just in case.
 
I undearstand the push vs pull concept. Question- is the purpose of a second chamber in a calcium reactor not to “buffer” the effluent in a way? Is it not supposed to help increase ph of effluent? If yes then pulling defeats that chamber? Yes no maybe?

Pulling has no impact on the effectiveness of the 2nd reactor. Push or pull, the 2nd reactor doesn’t care since the pump is doing nothing more that moving water. The pump can go after the 2nd reactor or between the first and 2nd if pulling. It doesn’t make a difference in terms of performance. The 2nd reactor uses the excess Co2 as Vinny noted and as a result it can act as a buffer and raise the pH of the effluent a little bit. It’s also a great place to put Remag for increasing magnesium though I top my first reactor off with Remag and just use ARM fine in the 2nd reactor.
 
That company has terrible customer reviews. Many calling them a scam that doesn't deliver. Scary.

AliExpress is nothing more than an Asian eBay without the auction format. It's all buy it now. That being said, you just need to be picky about who you buy through, just like eBay. There are some buyer protections in place too. I have never had a problem with it.
 
I hope this is not too off topic. I have had to refill my Co2 cylinder twice in the last 2 months. The first time, when I brought the cylinder to be refilled, I also brought my Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser and asked the gas people to check for any leaks at the connection. None were found. So, the regulator was removed from the cylinder and I went home. When I got home and connected the regulator to the cylinder, I could clearly hear the Co2 escaping at the connection. I remembered that when the gas people attached the regulator to the cylinder, I thought they tightened the connection too much. So I disconnected the regulator and replaced the metal seal (with the O ring)with a new one. No more leak. Now, 2 weeks later, my cylinder is empty again??? I will check for leaks again when I refill the cylinder but my question is this, Is there another area that I should be checking for a Co2 leak besides the regulator? And, I set my pressure gauge to 10 pounds (Geo's recommendation). Does where I set the pressure determine how fast I use up the Co2? As I read through this thread, I notice that most people set their pressure gauge much lower. I just recently viewed a video by slief and noticed that his gauge was set at around 3 pounds. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I hope this is not too off topic. I have had to refill my Co2 cylinder twice in the last 2 months. The first time, when I brought the cylinder to be refilled, I also brought my Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser and asked the gas people to check for any leaks at the connection. None were found. So, the regulator was removed from the cylinder and I went home. When I got home and connected the regulator to the cylinder, I could clearly hear the Co2 escaping at the connection. I remembered that when the gas people attached the regulator to the cylinder, I thought they tightened the connection too much. So I disconnected the regulator and replaced the metal seal (with the O ring)with a new one. No more leak. Now, 2 weeks later, my cylinder is empty again??? I will check for leaks again when I refill the cylinder but my question is this, Is there another area that I should be checking for a Co2 leak besides the regulator? And, I set my pressure gauge to 10 pounds (Geo's recommendation). Does where I set the pressure determine how fast I use up the Co2? As I read through this thread, I notice that most people set their pressure gauge much lower. I just recently viewed a video by slief and noticed that his gauge was set at around 3 pounds. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
FWIW.. If you are talking about the nylon seal between the regulator and the Co2 tank, I've been using the Aquarium Plants Perma Seal instead of the nylon seals and it's bar far one of the best seals I have ever used! The best part is that they are reusable.
https://www.aquariumplants.com/Perma-Seal-co2-cylinder-to-regulator-seal-p/perm1.htm
 
Honestly you should just set your regulator at whatever works for your tank. I keep my dKh at 9.5 (have an Alkatronic) and do 50mL/min on the pump, 3lbs of co2 set to about 9 on the carbon doser. Works for me.
 
Thanks guys. I am using the Perma Seal. Is there some place else besides the seal area that I need to look at for a possible leak? And does where I set my pressure gauge determine how long my Co2 will last?
 
where you set it has nothing to do with how long it will last. Your tanks Alk consumption determines the longevity of the CO2 tank. If your tank needs a lot of alk, then it'll need to break down more coral in the reactor, thus more co2 usage.

Have you considering doing leak testing? All you need is some water, a spray bottle, and a few drops of dish soap. I'd keep the solution away from your tank water though, just to be safe.
 
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