Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[slief]

The way the probe compression fitting works is there is this "pin" looking thing that is just about the diameter of a probe. You screw the bottom part of the fitting into a female 1/2, then the pin drops down, then the top part of the probe holder screws the probe down. Water flow is supposed to flow up around the pin and into the path of the probe. I would just get inconsistent readings from it. The time I shook the reactor to free some air bubbles I noticed the reading from the probe jumped an insane amount.

Man not sure how I'd properly seal the probe if I drilled a hole in the reactor body itself. The probe holder attaches to a 1/2 female NPT threaded. The vertical pipe would have been a decent spot but it has this whole up down slide mechanism I don't want to mess with.

I will stare at the thing some more until I get an idea lol.

Not sure what the deal is with your pH probe port but none of the ones that I have used had anything blocking the tip. Maybe this would be a better choice.
https://www.avastmarine.com/products/probe-holder

That or cut the thing off that’s blocking the tip. The rubber compression seal at the top of the probe port is all that is needed to seal the probe in place and there is nothing that should block the tip.

 

[ReefTron5000]

Not sure what the deal is with your pH probe port but none of the ones that I have used had anything blocking the tip. Maybe this would be a better choice.
https://www.avastmarine.com/products/probe-holder

That or cut the thing off that's blocking the tip. The rubber compression seal at the top of the probe port is all that is needed to seal the probe in place and there is nothing that should block the tip.

Okay I'm going to go play with it here in a bit. Maybe I am a total moron and what I think is that pin maybe a temp probe shaped thing that you plug in there when a probe is not being used.

I remember trying it without that piece and water came up around the probe. Gonna play with it before I order that Avast one. Thanks for that find.

 

[slief]

Okay I'm going to go play with it here in a bit. Maybe I am a total moron and what I think is that pin maybe a temp probe shaped thing that you plug in there when a probe is not being used.

I remember trying it without that piece and water came up around the probe. Gonna play with it before I order that Avast one. Thanks for that find.

I just grabbed a probe port that I had in my spare parts drawer and an old probe to show you how it should look. There is nothing to block the probe tip in any probe ports I’ve used or seen. As you can see from the last picture, the probe tip is unobstructed. I can push the probe as far through the probe holder as needed.

 

[tkeracer619]

Yeah, I've never seen a probe holder with anything blocking it. I've always just measured ph in a cup of effluent after the reactor. No biggy. Honestly, I haven't used a probe in at least 5 or 6 years... I'll start using one on my new reactor for the 600gal but that's only because I'm not familiar with it.

 

[hkgar]

I use a probe, but not to control the regulator. I use it only as a fail safe if, for some strange reason, PH of the effluent would drop to 6.3

 

[djscrubba]

A Rookie needs help with a MasterFlex setup please

A Rookie needs help with a MasterFlex setup please

I most recently purchased a Masterflex pump, but I do not have any idea how to set-up the pump. Specifically, I would like to know how I connect the tubing to my Reef Dynamics Calcium Reactor. Based upon what I've read, I want to have the pump pull from and not push to the reactor. I also have the reactor controlled by a Milwaukee Controller, but I've read that too should be disconnected in this new set-up. Please help me set this up properly. Thanks.

Here are pictures of my pump and calcium reactor.

 

[hkgar]

I most recently purchased a Masterflex pump, but I do not have any idea how to set-up the pump. Specifically, I would like to know how I connect the tubing to my Reef Dynamics Calcium Reactor. Based upon what I've read, I want to have the pump pull from and not push to the reactor. I also have the reactor controlled by a Milwaukee Controller, but I've read that too should be disconnected in this new set-up. Please help me set this up properly. Thanks.

Here are pictures of my pump and calcium reactor.

Check the first 3 posts to this thread

 

[yellojello]

LS 17 Tubing Flow Chart

LS 17 Tubing Flow Chart

Not sure if this was made before, but I wanted to print out a LS 17 tubing RPM to flow conversion chart to put next to the Masterflex. I attached the spreadsheet to share.

 

[yellojello]

I'm using the 7557 6-600 RPM Brushed Masterflex with the Pharmed LS/17 tubing. Typically, what would be the max rpm comfort level of running it concerning the motor/head life and tubing wear?

I started at 10 rpm (28mL/min) at 6.6 PH a year ago and now up to 36 rpm (102 mL/min) at 6.5 PH now. But my Alk is still dropping slowly.

I don't want to go below 6.5 PH, so the only option is to increase RPM or get a bigger reactor. I know 36 RPM is running at only 6% of the 600 RPM motor, so I assume I can go much faster with no issues.

 

[slief]

I'm using the 7557 6-600 RPM Brushed Masterflex with the Pharmed LS/17 tubing. Typically, what would be the max rpm comfort level of running it concerning the motor/head life and tubing wear?

I started at 10 rpm (28mL/min) at 6.6 PH a year ago and now up to 36 rpm (102 mL/min) at 6.5 PH now. But my Alk is still dropping slowly.

I don't want to go below 6.5 PH, so the only option is to increase RPM or get a bigger reactor. I know 36 RPM is running at only 6% of the 600 RPM motor, so I assume I can go much faster with no issues.

Sounds like you need a bigger reactor. Have you calibrated your pH probe recently? What reactor do you have and what do you have in your display that’s consuminig so much alk? What alk level are you targeting?

I run a Geo 818. My system is about 700 gallons and my main display is 500 gallons. My tank is overflowing with corals of all types including SPS, LPS and soft coral that are litereally growing out of the water. . I have coraline algae covering every bit of rock, my bare bottom and even onto my viewing panes. I run a 65ml/min on my masterflex which is right around 25 RPM. I target around 8 DKH.

As you noted, the 600 RPM pumps are gear driven at a 6:1 ratio so the motor is actually only turning at 4.1 RPM in my case. In any event, running at a higher RPM shouldn’t be a problem in your case but I would certainly look at a larger reactor since it already sounds like your reactor is having a tough time keeping up with your current alk demands.

 

[yellojello]

Sounds like you need a bigger reactor. Have you calibrated your pH probe recently? What reactor do you have and what do you have in your display that’s consuminig so much alk? What alk level are you targeting?

I calibrated in December. My display is a 120g in line with a 60g frag tank and 50g sump,primarily SPS frags with some larger colonies. I'm running the Reef Octopus CR-120D Dual rated at 225g light - 150g heavy. I target 8 dkh.
[MENTION=123562]sleif[/MENTION] what ph is your reactor at?

 

[slief]

I calibrated in December. My display is a 120g in line with a 60g frag tank and 50g sump,primarily SPS frags with some larger colonies. I'm running the Reef Octopus CR-120D Dual rated at 225g light - 150g heavy. I target 8 dkh.
[MENTION=123562]sleif[/MENTION] what ph is your reactor at?

I run reborn media and it runs at about 6.65 pH.

 

[herring_fish]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619
….The focus of this thread is to discuss the system, its benefits, and to assist in hardware selection with each individuals specific setup in mind…..

I haven’t been reading along for the last 4 years (long story) but now I’m back on track again, at lease for a little while. Anyway, back then I purchased almost everything that I need to get the project finished and I now have some time to work on the CalRx.

I bought a 6” cast acrylic tube so I just cut it in half. I know that it is overkill but why throw the rest away? The system will be in the garage so height is not an issue. Then I got part of an extruded tube (not as pretty) so I will use it for a magnetic stirring kalk reactor. I got the flanges, tops and bottoms laser cut and glue them all up. Now it’s time to start plumbing.

After deciding on and up flow design, I want to concentrate on the water and gas plumbing at the top of the main vessel. I have surveyed a myriad of designs and need everyone’s input.

I have seen several plumping setups like piping that is connected to the top or side entry with an up facing elbow to suck water from just under the lid.

It seems that if the effect is absolutely the same, then side mounting would be easier to use in the long run but it may not be the same or easier. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

As you know, CO2 often collects at the top of the reactor. There are lots of reasons for larger amounts of gas collecting there like leaks, not having enough media or it being to course…You get the idea. Let’s set that aside for this discussion. My question is, how to handle it, if and when it happens?

Then there are various dome designs to collect the gas for easy removal via a ¼” line. I have access to equipment that can create a dome or cone shape but is it worth it? Some users have simply added a ¼” John Guest fitting to draw off the CO2 from under a flat top. I guess the idea is that eventually the gas will find the hold and be removed.

Still other designers just don’t think that concentrating or pooling gas is an issue that is worth bothering with and simply rely on the idea that it will find its way into the main ½” return pipe. It seems that all these ideas work and work well. I would like to know what would work best for my situation.

From Post #434 and #2652 as well as other places on the net

Finally, if I DO decide to collect CO2 and return it, where should that incursion place be?

So:
1. Do I attach the main return line to the top or go in the side with an elbow?
2. Should there be some sort of ¼” return line for CO2?
3. Should there be some type of dome to concentrate the collection of CO2?
4. If CO2 is to be collected, where should it be reintroduced into the system?
5. Are there any other ideas of improvement that you can think of for this project?

 

[tkeracer619]

1. Do I attach the main return line to the top or go in the side with an elbow?
2. Should there be some sort of ¼” return line for CO2?
3. Should there be some type of dome to concentrate the collection of CO2?
4. If CO2 is to be collected, where should it be reintroduced into the system?
5. Are there any other ideas of improvement that you can think of for this project?

Awesome!

1. The re-circulation plumbing doesn't really matter, either works just fine. It is just moving water through the media. Do what is easiest on you. You don't really need even put an upturned elbow as you will want some room in the top of the reactor of just empty space to keep media from getting sucked in.
2. Just pull effluent from the lid, this will remove excess gas and purge it from the reactor.
3. Nah, there is no reason to collect and recirculate co2. Don't waste the time or money.
4. It shouldn't be. If it doesn't dissolve on the first pass it probably won't. Waste of time.
5. Just make sure the media stands inside are removable for easy cleaning. Otherwise this looks great! I'll be building my new calcium reactor out of an 8" diameter clear PVC tube. I like your style . Also, welcome back! :beer:

 

[herring_fish]

I guess that I am overthinking things "¦as usual! You have put my mind at ease.

Thanks a lot!

Now it's time to start poking holes in things so if I screw up, I have to live with it. Drawing pictures is less stressful but you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.

 

[dadnjesse]

Is there an updated list of which model type is best the ones listed at the beginning I can't find and the thread was started in 2014

 

[FishProf]

I'll go with any of the brushless models (quiet and zero maintenance). I got a 7551-00 and a 7522-20. Both are remotely controlled by the Apex varspeed outlets. The nice thing with these is that your can change the scale of the remote [that is, you can set in the MF unit what speed 0 volt is what speed 10 volt is]. I use one for continuous water change (with a two-channel head) and one for the calcium reactor.
I got both on ebay. It took some tenacity and thick skin (for making low bids), but I got one for $600 and the other for $350.

 

[gsoler]

77301-22 with long jumps

77301-22 with long jumps

I am new with the masterflex.
I have the 77301-22 with engine 77301-21, from 10 to 600 rpm.
At the moment I am trying to configure it and I realize that the increments are 10 ml .. When you put the measure of tube 17, it says 30 ml. in the display. until then everything normal, but trying to increase it goes to 40, 50, 60 and so on, I need 45 ml. Is this normal or is something missing in the configuration?
I thank you in advance for the help you can give me with this topic.
thank you

 

[slief]

I am new with the masterflex.
I have the 77301-22 with engine 77301-21, from 10 to 600 rpm.
At the moment I am trying to configure it and I realize that the increments are 10 ml .. When you put the measure of tube 17, it says 30 ml. in the display. until then everything normal, but trying to increase it goes to 40, 50, 60 and so on, I need 45 ml. Is this normal or is something missing in the configuration?
I thank you in advance for the help you can give me with this topic.
thank you

If the increments are 10ml and the minimum is 30ml then it’s functioning normally. If this is being used for a calcium reactor you will have to run at 50ml and run your pH at a slightly higher level or run at 30ml and run your pH at a slightly low level. If you are using it for dosing, you might need to dilute your concentration slightly and run at 50ml.

That said, the flow rates will be limited to the head model, RPM adjustablity of the motor/controller and the tubing you are using.

 

[tkeracer619]

I am new with the masterflex.
I have the 77301-22 with engine 77301-21, from 10 to 600 rpm.
At the moment I am trying to configure it and I realize that the increments are 10 ml .. When you put the measure of tube 17, it says 30 ml. in the display. until then everything normal, but trying to increase it goes to 40, 50, 60 and so on, I need 45 ml. Is this normal or is something missing in the configuration?
I thank you in advance for the help you can give me with this topic.
thank you

Switch to RPM mode. Then you should be able to control it more precisely.

If using LS17 Tubing, each revolution is 2.833ml. 16RPM will give you 45.33ml/min