Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Has anyone tried a swagelok brass or stainless 1psi check valve? I'm lost on a good check valve for my build. The most expensive part of the regulator build was the needle valve so I want to protect that!

I also ordered the l/s 17 tubing so I can get my master flex up and running the reactor from day 1.

I need a matching motor and head to run my kalk reactor. Back on the search.

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I need some help setting up my Masterflex driven CaRX. I have a 220g total volume reef. I am currently dosing 20ml of BRS 2 part 6 times a day. I am switching over to a Geo 612 calcium reactor. It will be controlled by apex at a ph of 6.8. I will be using a 7520-00 motor and a 7518-00 head to pull through the reactor. I have L/S 14 and L/S 17 tubing on hand.

I know that no one can give me a definitive answer as to what rate I should set the motor to but I am looking for a good starting range so I can get the reactor dialed in.

How much effluent should I aim to dose in 24 hours. Should I use the L/S 14 or 17 tubing? The 14 will make the motor run at much higher rpms. The 17 tubing will be much slower rpms.

Lastly, should I run the effluent through a second reactor chamber? The geo 612 is a single chamber and I have a few spare reactors kicking around that I could throw media in if it would be beneficial.
 
Start around 40 ml/min & work from there.
Stabilize your Alkalinity first, when that is dialed in dose calcium to get it where you want it & the reactor will hold it there.
A second chamber will help with any CO2 that makes it past the main chamber.
 
biglurr54 said:
I need some help setting up my Masterflex driven CaRX. I have a 220g total volume reef. I am currently dosing 20ml of BRS 2 part 6 times a day. I am switching over to a Geo 612 calcium reactor. It will be controlled by apex at a ph of 6.8. I will be using a 7520-00 motor and a 7518-00 head to pull through the reactor. I have L/S 14 and L/S 17 tubing on hand.

I know that no one can give me a definitive answer as to what rate I should set the motor to but I am looking for a good starting range so I can get the reactor dialed in.

How much effluent should I aim to dose in 24 hours. Should I use the L/S 14 or 17 tubing? The 14 will make the motor run at much higher rpms. The 17 tubing will be much slower rpms.

Lastly, should I run the effluent through a second reactor chamber? The geo 612 is a single chamber and I have a few spare reactors kicking around that I could throw media in if it would be beneficial.
Click to expand...

This should help you out.

Do ot set Apex to turn regulator on/off around your target of 6.8. Adjust the reactor via PSI or bubble count or both to maintain 6.8.
 
That link is tough to use. I have no idea what my effluent will be. That is a product of flow through the reactor and co2 being dosed. Tough thing to predict.

I plan to have the regulator keep the reactor steady and have the Apex as a back up.

I have been told to do 40ml/ min and 90ml/ min. I guess I will start at 40 and work my way up. I'm worried about swings in params but I guess it won't be that drastic.

I have plenty of 2 part to get the system stable once the reactor is stable.

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biglurr54 said:
I need some help setting up my Masterflex driven CaRX.
Click to expand...

Lets forget the tarrget PH for right now. It doesn't really matter what it ends up being.

Use the LS17. Set the reactor to 40ml/min. That's probably a good start for your demand.

Set your regulator to 6 or 7 psi.

Slowly open the needle valve or bpm if using the AP reg. Start with a very slow bubble count.

Continue to test the display and increase bubble count. Slow down your dosers as needed.

Once you get down to a ph of 6.5 -6.4 you can start increasing your effluent flow and gas pressure in equal percentages. That should keep you around the same ph while at the same time increasing output.

This should take you a week or so to bring it online. Slow and steady is key. No need to rush it.
 
Maybe it's a silly question, but … What is a two-stop tubing?

I got a dual channel pump head (number 7536-02) [for water change], and it takes "2-stop tubing". Can I just use the regular tubing??

Thanks!
 
FishProf said:
Maybe it's a silly question, but … What is a two-stop tubing?

I got a dual channel pump head (number 7536-02) [for water change], and it takes "2-stop tubing". Can I just use the regular tubing??

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Two-Stop Tubing has a special clip on each end of the the tubing that tensions the tubing properly while holding it in the head. If you used standard silicone tubing (without the stops) in that head, it would probably move/slip in the head and crawl in the direction the rollers are moving. I think you need to stick with the two stop tubing sets in that model head.
 

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hmm … so, what do you recommend - sticking with this multi channel and putting $$ in buying these special tubing [the head was $37 on eBay].
I really like the 2-channel idea for continuous water change.
 
FishProf said:
hmm "¦ so, what do you recommend - sticking with this multi channel and putting $$ in buying these special tubing [the head was $37 on eBay].
I really like the 2-channel idea for continuous water change.
Click to expand...

It's a good head but you should order ls24 two stop tubing sets in pharmed bpt. You'll probably have to contact cole-parmer for that. You won't find it on the discount shelf.
 
You are correct - these things are $75 per 4 pieces!
This may have been a mistake buying it "¦

What is the difference between size 35 and size 18 tubing? - both are listed with the same max flow rate (2300ml/min) and same ID (0.311" or 7.9mm)

tkeracer619 said:
It's a good head but you should order ls24 two stop tubing sets in pharmed bpt. You'll probably have to contact cole-parmer for that. You won't find it on the discount shelf.
Click to expand...
 
FishProf said:
You are correct - these things are $75 per 4 pieces!
This may have been a mistake buying it "¦

What is the difference between size 35 and size 18 tubing? - both are listed with the same max flow rate (2300ml/min) and same ID (0.311" or 7.9mm)
Click to expand...


The wall thickness. That head can only use 15, 24, or 35. Other tubes are not compatible.

You could possibly get tubing stops and install them on bulk tube yourself. Still, those tubing sets use a proprietary tubing thickness, so unless you can find it on the secondary market it's still pricey.

How much water are you trying to change?
 
I have a 300 gallon tank. The continuous part is fine, I'm sure [1-2% a day?]. But - I also want to have the option for a quick water change, so the more the better. The size 35 gives me a max rate of 3.8mL/rev = 2300mL/600RPM = 0.61gallon/minute = 36gallon/hour. So, I could change 30% of my water volume in 3 hours. That would mean running the pump at near its max speed of 600 RPM [with the hope I won't be ruining the tubing with such a top speed].
tkeracer619 said:
The wall thickness. That head can only use 15, 24, or 35. Other tubes are not compatible.

You could possibly get tubing stops and install them on bulk tube yourself. Still, those tubing sets use a proprietary tubing thickness, so unless you can find it on the secondary market it's still pricey.

How much water are you trying to change?
Click to expand...
 
It won't damage the tube. The only issue is how long a run you'll be making. Use large diameter poly to reduce back pressure. Definitely test calibration at those speeds to make sure you are getting equal transfer. The head you have is a good option for what you want to do. While that tube is proprietary and expensive, it is also very high performance, and will do better in your application than the tube we normally use.

Just make sure to use pharmed BPT. It has the longest operational life.

I would definitely use a conductivity probe and leak detector in a system where I was going to do a rapid AWC like this.
 
Someone semi-local is selling a calcium reactor setup including a MTC Mini Cal, a Carbondoser regulator with tank and a Cole-Parmer Masterflex 7523-60 with easy load. As far as I can tell the only thing I need to purchase is media, LS17 tubing and the items from the first group of post #3 in this thread?

I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger on this thing even though I'm fairly intimidated by setup. My tank is only 120g but I'm using quite a bit of 2 part and looking for increased consistency.
 
ReefTron5000 said:
Someone semi-local is selling a calcium reactor setup including a MTC Mini Cal, a Carbondoser regulator with tank and a Cole-Parmer Masterflex 7523-60 with easy load. As far as I can tell the only thing I need to purchase is media, LS17 tubing and the items from the first group of post #3 in this thread?

I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger on this thing even though I'm fairly intimidated by setup. My tank is only 120g but I'm using quite a bit of 2 part and looking for increased consistency.
Click to expand...

Be sure the head you are getting will work for LS 17 tubing.
 
Yes the MasterFlex comes with a Easy-Load pump head. The website lists L/S 17 as one of the tubing sizes accepted.

About to place my order from US Plastics now. Stoked!
 
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