Anybody use continuous drip technique with calcium reactors?

[Herby’s reef]

I have recently started running a calcium reactor and I am having a terrible time keeping a consistent effluent flow. Usually the drip rate slows down and I have to increase it. Well, last night something must have passed and caused the rate to go way up. Luckily I keep a close eye on it so dkh only jumped by 0.5, but I worry because with this I could never feel ok going on vacation. I know a peristaltic pump would solve my problem, but I am trying to avoid spending any more. Anybody have experience good or bad using the technique where you keep a continuous effluent flow and adjust the ph in your reactor to the tank needs instead of adjusting the effluent rate?

Thanks in advance,

David

 

[aquanicssd]

My immediate thought would be build up/deposits in the tubing, or even just getting some of the precipitate stuck somewhere like you mentioned.

If it's just free flowing, your only method of protection is visual inspection. It would be better to mix and add a small portion daily or weekly than leave the potential for excess. The reason peristaltic pumps are used is because of both accuracy and they can't "stay on" (I guess that might depend on the internal electronics, but that's my educated guess)

I agree though, the dosers are definitely a chunk of change. I'm currently trying to program a controller for the pumps I've bought. That's still about $70 and a lot of time.

 

[Herby’s reef]

Never mind the continuous drip method. I decided I would never sleep well until I purchased a peristaltic pump. Found a master flex 7523-60 for $600. Crazy expensive, but I went ahead and purchased it. Hopefully that will allow for stability in my reactor.

Aquanicssd, thanks for the response. With a calcium reactor, you can either drip it, or you can run a peristaltic pump that does run continuously. It is quiet a bit different from dosing two part, which is what I suspect you are referring to. They are very expensive because they have to be able to run continuous and hold up long term. If you are spending $70 for a controller for your dosing pumps, you might look at the jebao pump on amazon. They are not very user friendly, but I have had pretty good success keeping one going on my nano tank. It has been surprisingly accurate and reliable for me. They are only 65 dollars on amazon.