What pump do you use for calcium reactor?

[Mel-E-Mel]

I have a koralin cal reactor that i want to set up but i dont know what kind of pump to use to supply water to the reactor. What are you using and how do i install this thing?

 

[BigJay]

Personally I would feed it with a micro jet or other extremely tiny powerhead. A calcium reactor doesn't need that much flow on the input end.

Maybe something like this?
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ROJET-320&Category_Code=Maxijet&Store_Code=PA

 

[chris4869]

I'd used something else (a Tom Aqua Lifter), but it was prone to clogging. I threw it out and T-off the water from my return pump to feed my reactor. I should have done it years ago, because the effluent from my reactor is so much more constant now. The setup is simpler now too since I use one less pump.

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

I heard about people who t-off from there return to feed there reactor. chris4869, think you can post a pic of how you t-off from your return and what fitting, plumbing etc you used? I would really appreciate it. This is my first time using a calcium reactor and im totally in the dark in trying to set this up. I have the directions that dragon slayer made out but i cant figure out how to feed the reactor.

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

double post.

 

[bergzy]

here is what i did to feed my korrallin ca reactor,

the skimmer pump is over powered...so i had it T'ed off to power my fuge, cryptic zone, remote dsb, carbon/gfo reactor, zeo reactor and, of course, the ca reactor.

it works great and talk about cutting pump number down!

 

[bljohnson]

Bergzy -

Could you pls elaborate on the parts you used? Thanks.

 

[Rysam]

I teed off of my 1" return and then just used reducer fittings until i got to the size i needed for a watts fitting from HD. i dont recall if i got the exact fitting to screw into, its very possible i drilled a slightly smaller hole than the fitting and screwed it together with glue. either way its been going good for months with no leaks and no extra pumps.

 

[bergzy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14835703#post14835703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bljohnson
Bergzy -

Could you pls elaborate on the parts you used? Thanks.

the skimmer pump has a 1" output...so, first, i T'ed off the 1" i needed for the skimmer (which uses about 75% of the pump power).

the remaining output is then T'ed off (1) to run my remote dsb, fuge then cryptic zone...in that order. the remote dsb receives water, then via gravity feeds the fuge then via gravity feeds the cryptic zone which empties back into the sump.

'T' #2 is threaded with a 1/2" barb with a short section of clear vinyl tubing to see what is happening. the vinyl tubing then attaches to another 1/2" barb that inserts into a 1/2" watts fitting. one side of the T goes to feed the bulk reef supply carbon and gfo filter (which is just really a dual canister di unit with 1/2" fittings). the output of the carbon/gfo filter goes to feed my zeo reactor and then back into the sump.

here is the real 'trick'...

i couldnt find a 1/2" t fitting that goes from 1/2" to 1/4". i could only find 1/2" to 3/8". thus, i used a 3/8" to 1/4" reducer. the 1/4" then goes to feed the ca reactor. using the skimmer pump (pressure rated) has given me a more consistent and easier to control effluent drip rate.

this set up, seemingly complex, has reduced my pump number from seven to just one.

this is not for everyone but just another way of doing things!

 

[chris4869]

Sorry for the late response. I use a threaded 3/4" PVC Tee, so I can divert some of the water to my reactor. I use a John Guest SpeedFit to step it down so I can use the RO water line to feed my reactor. I got all my supplies from the local hardware store (Home Depot).

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

Thanks Chris4869. I regularly shut off my return when i feed my fish. Would that be a negative for the calcium reactor? Since i shut off my return on a regular basis im thinking feeding with a maxi jet 1200 instead. would be more ideal?

I like your idea too bergzy. If I go with a mj1200, i can tee off and feed my ca reactor and phosphate reactor as well. I just want to know will a mj1200 be too strong for the phosphate reactor? I actually only run carbon in the phosphate reactor.

 

[bergzy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14930347#post14930347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mel-E-Mel
If I go with a mj1200, i can tee off and feed my ca reactor and phosphate reactor as well. I just want to know will a mj1200 be too strong for the phosphate reactor? I actually only run carbon in the phosphate reactor.

if you feel that the mj 1200 is too strong for the phosphate reactor...just add a ball valve to the powerhead output for dialing back flow.

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14930441#post14930441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bergzy
if you feel that the mj 1200 is too strong for the phosphate reactor...just add a ball valve to the powerhead output for dialing back flow.

How about the ca reactor? How strong of a pump do i need to feed the reactor?

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14931143#post14931143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mel-E-Mel
How about the ca reactor? How strong of a pump do i need to feed the reactor? I was told I should use a pum,p strong enough to keep the chamber pressurized or it may get air trapped inside.

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14930347#post14930347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mel-E-Mel
Thanks Chris4869. I regularly shut off my return when i feed my fish. Would that be a negative for the calcium reactor? Since i shut off my return on a regular basis im thinking feeding with a maxi jet 1200 instead. would be more ideal?

I shut off my return to feed as well, no issues. I just turn off the reactor recirc pump as well.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14931143#post14931143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mel-E-Mel
How about the ca reactor? How strong of a pump do i need to feed the reactor?

It doesn't take a strong pump to feed a calcium reactor. In fact, all you really need is a small aqualifter pump that supplies a tiny trickle. In fact, some people setup a gravity feed from the display tank to their reactor.

You don't want too much excess pressure in your reactor.

 

[DocG]

I used to use a maxijet 900 but after several issues with them (stopping, inconsistent drip rate) I switched over to an eheim 1048 and it works much better.