osmolator to KW reactor

[mattboy]

Hi Roger;

I'm setting up a KW reactor for a friend's propagation system. He has an osmolator, and I have set it up to push water through the reactor. It works great when the reservoire level is higher than the reactor, with the output hose from the reactor reaching the highest point. I can't keep the reservoire level above the reactor for long, though. How do you keep water from back-siphoning into the reservoire. with a check valve? Any particular one people use?

Thanks, Matt

P.S. 6045s are working great; just a little more turbulence in the tank than the 6025s which is what I wanted.

 

[jmait769]

Roger may have a better idea but I used a 12V solenoid valve from <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com”target="_blank">McMasters</a>, Polypropylene Solenoid Valve, Wire Leads, 1/8" Npt Female, 150 Psi, 12 Vdc part # 7877K55 triggered by the pump.

I also added a mechanical valve inline just above the pump also from Mcmaster like this part number: 5492K51

This is kind of a dark picture but this is how I have it setup. Blue lines feed the reactor and the red line dumps the affluent into the sump. Maybe a little over kill but no back flow!

Jay

 

[rvitko]

Jay's idea sounds really good, I would have just suggested a check valve but his idea seems very safe and with redundancies.

 

[mattboy]

I like the idea of a solenoid as well. My only concern would be if the solenoid draws more amperage than the power supply for the osmolator can handle. Seems to be working fine on Jay's system!

 

[MGB]

Jay,
I really like your set up for dosing top off via kalk reactor, can you go over it again and describe your set up and components. I'm thinking of doing this on my 160 gal. Thanks MGB

 

[jmait769]

Sure, it consisting of the <a href="http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_dosing_pumps_top_off_tunze_osmolator.asp?CartId="target="_blank">Tunze Osmolator</a>, a <a href="http://www.reeftek.com/Nilsen_Reactor.htm"target="_blank"> ReefTek Kalk Stirrer</a> and a homemade water reservoir you can see in front of the sump. Without a doubt, hands down, the Osmolator has been my number one purchase. Worth every penny and the peace of mind it affords is priceless. I control the kalk reactor pump with an AC Jr. which is a very close second to the Osmolator as far as a great piece of equipment

Not quite done with it as I’m going to run two solenoids that the AC Jr. will control. If the PH is too high it will switch to just RO/DI water. Like this: <a href="http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=935451&perpage=25&pagenumber=2” target="_blank"> Add as Kalk as your tank will allow!</a>

But I have put that on the back burner as I have not had any spike in PH. You can see the Osmolators control box above and to the right of the skimmer.

Full tank shot.

I like the idea of a solenoid as well. My only concern would be if the solenoid draws more amperage than the power supply for the osmolator can handle. Seems to be working fine on Jay's system!

The solenoid is activated by the pump. So far I have not had any trouble with it as far as the power goes. It is on for no more than 20 â€"œ 30 seconds so I think that has something to do with it. Also, the pump voltage, on mine, measures 8.6V and that runs the pump and activates the solenoid.


Jay

 

[MGB]

What are the advantages of having the solenoid in line. Can't you just have the controller run the pump when neccessary and the mechanical check valve stop any back flow. What am I missing, thanks.

 

[jmait769]

MGB -

What are the advantages of having the solenoid in line. Can't you just have the controller run the pump when neccessary and the mechanical check valve stop any back flow. What am I missing, thanks.

Yes, you could just use the mechanical check valve alone. Mine is setup with redundancies (electrical and mechanical) and is probably a little over kill but I didn’t want to take any chances.

Jay

 

[MGB]

Thanks Jay,
How exactly do you set up the solenoid, pump and top off controller, as far as power, connections.
MGB

 

[Scudd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9455023#post9455023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmait769
MGB -

Yes, you could just use the mechanical check valve alone. Mine is setup with redundancies (electrical and mechanical) and is probably a little over kill but I didn’t want to take any chances.

Jay

Can you take a close up pic of the valve?

 

[mattboy]

The problem that I've had with the check valve is that it sticks open and kalk powder back siphons into the vessel. A really good check valve might not, but the solenoid is probably more reliable.

 

[jmait769]

Scudd - I’m not sure which one you wanted a pic so I took one of each. Here is a good description from mcmaster’s for the mechanical valve part #5492K51:
Maximum Pressure: 125 psi @ 140° F
Cracking Pressure: 0.33 psi
Temperature Range: 33° to 140° F
Valves feature a guided piston for better seating and a full-flow opening for minimal restriction. They're suitable for air and liquid applications and can operate in any position. Body is glass-filled polypropylene; spring is Type 302 stainless steel. Color is black. Note: Cv factor not rated.
Choose Buna-N seat for air and water applications. Viton seat has good chemical resistance.
Connections: NPT female.

HTH

Jay

 

[Scudd]

Thanks... So, it looks like the electrical connection is on the bottom part of that valve? Is the connection a couple of spade type connections? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I need to replicate your setup. Thanks again.

 

[jmait769]

No problem. Hope this helps! You can see the two wires coming out of the switch (back side of switch) in this shot. You can also see the wire connections if you follow the white wire coming from the pump. They terminate into the black wires.

I connected them into the connector for the pump. This connector comes with the Osmolator. I measured the voltage here and it is at 8.6V. This is enough to open the switch and run the pump even though the switch is a 12V switch. The wires in the white sleeve are going to the pump.

HTH

Jay

 

[Scudd]

One more question, then I'll leave you alone. Where did you find the cool red and blue hoses. Thanks ,... this really helps me out.

 

[jmait769]

Glad to help. I got that in a kit for my RO/DI unit and was extra. You may be able to get some from <a href="http://www.usplastic.com" target="_blank">USPlastics</a>.

Jay