vapor locking calcium reactor

[cnaegler]

I have a Knop C calcium reactor that is giving me a fit. The first time i tried to use it it dropped the PH so low(6.5), it just about killed everything in my tank. Luckily i caught it and with some frantic water changes i was able to save some of my corals and all my fish. I've tried everything,replace the check valve ,installed a new,higher quality needle valve,added a CO2 valve. The problem is it starts out working fine but after a few hours the thing seems to become vapor locked by the CO2 and no effluent comes out,which in turn increases the bubble count TREMENDOUSLY,which,of course, compounds the problem again!Thank goodness i test it in a seperate container,i've learned my lesson the first time. Does anyone know what in the world is going on with this thing? I spent too much money on it to call it quits yet.I'm just tired of dosing almost daily.

 

[lvpd186]

I'm not sure whats going on with the reactor, but if you put a ph controller on it (with a solenoid) and set it once the reactor reaches your target amount it will shut off the gas. At least if it locks up again you wouldn't keep pumping gas in.

 

[cnaegler]

That's a good idea,I'll definitely do that.Thanks!Anyone else have an idea why it's doing this.I really don't want to have to reset this sucka numerous times.Could it be the drip rate nozzle clogged?

 

[mufret]

How are you feeding the reactor and how are you regulating the effluent? Pics of how you have it set up could possibly help someone spot a problem.

 

[tgunn]

I had a similar problem with my calcium reactor initially.
I tried to feed it with:
- Maxijet 900
- Aqualifter
In both cases I used a valve on the effluent OUTPUT to set the effluent drip rate.

My observation is that no matter what I did the effluent would start dripping slower and slower until it finally would just stop.

In the end I got a Masterflex peristaltic dosing pump..

It was expensive, but it did the trick. I can now dial an EXACT drip rate for the effluent and it just does its thing.

I've got a CO2 controller as well, which is nice to have. You can set your bubble rate to something reasonable (you don't want it just shooting the CO2 in like mad), and the controller will ensure that the pH stays on track.

Tyler

 

[lvpd186]

So now you no longer have to set the drip rate on the effluent output? That sounds like a nice set up. Where did you find the pump? I have noticed on mine that the drip rate slows down a little bit over time as well, I may have to take a look at one of those pumps.

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9852259#post9852259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
So now you no longer have to set the drip rate on the effluent output? That sounds like a nice set up. Where did you find the pump? I have noticed on mine that the drip rate slows down a little bit over time as well, I may have to take a look at one of those pumps.

I don't set the effluent drip rate on the output because the peristaltic pump is only sending in the same amount of water as I want coming out..

You could always try valving down the input to the reactor. But the problem I ran into there was any slight bit of debris getting sucked into the feed pump would get stuck in the valve on the input side of the reactor and plug it up, changing the delicately set drip rate.

I got that pump from the LFS here. He sells reconditioned Masterflex peri pumps. SaltwaterConnection is the URL. You can always email them and ask about the pumps.

Alternatively eBay is also a great place to find dosing pumps.

Tyler

 

[cnaegler]

I'm regulating the input via a valve on the input line.The input line tees directly off the main pump line back to the tank.I regulate the output with the valve that came with the reactor.It's never been cleaned,maybe i could clean it with vinegar and give it another go!But i will definitely pick up a PH controller and i'm going to search E-bay for a dosing pump.Thanks guys,i super appreciate it!!!!