Anyone use a skimz calcium reactor ??? I need help.

[deerhunter06]

Since Friday I have been able to run the reactor since I have a controller set to turn it on when the PH rises above 6.8 this has been the only reason its been able to work if I didn't have the controller I would have absolutely no way to manage it.

 

[deerhunter06]

because the bubble vary sooo much. When I have it set for .3 seconds per bubble it may only do that for 15 minutes then stop all together... or slow down to 5 seconds per bubble its jacked up.

 

[pirate2876]

Are both pumps working when you try this? I would keep both on to keep water pressure moving.

I believe the CO2 feeds from the little tube to the pump input. I can take a picture of mine later if you like. I don't remember exactly but, I'd be glad to help if you like. If you do return it the GEO is a good reactor as well. I like the Skimz because I believe it recirculates the CO2 better(funny).

Also, as hard as it is to listen to this dude speak, this method for setting up a cal reactor is better than traditional bubble counting and effluent drip.

 

[pirate2876]

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[deerhunter06]

yes everything is on when I do it.

 

[deerhunter06]

ive actually watched that and I'm running mine like that. It is a helpful video. That being said I don't trust the skimz I'm about to leave for 15 weeks for work (ill be home on weekends) with the bubbles varying so badly I just don't trust the thing to work right

 

[pirate2876]

Are you using the drips per minute or, using the streaming effluent method(like in video)?

 

[deerhunter06]

Streaming method. However I have to babysit the thing because for whatever reason the PH will start rising way up again because not enough Co2 is being put in to keep it where I want

 

[deerhunter06]

In theory I could just leave the bubble set to max since I have a controller to shut it on and off but that's not what I paid for

 

[pirate2876]

I think you need to fiddle with the regulator to get the correct out of bubbles. There has to be enough pressure coming out of the reg to supply the reactor. Even if it looks like a lot of bubbles, the reg will shut off at the appropriate PH that you have set. I dont even look at my bubble count because it doesnt matter. What matter is the PH in the reactor.

 

[pirate2876]

In theory I could just leave the bubble set to max since I have a controller to shut it on and off but that's not what I paid for

That's why I never understood why people love those expensive regulators so much. The bubble counter lever is cool if you do the old school style but, not for a streaming effluent.

 

[deerhunter06]

I see what u are saying....The thing is with this particular reactor is if I set it at .5 seconds per bubble to keep it 6.6 which sometimes when I do that it rises to 7.0 the bubbles don't keep up... Then again sometimes they do it's like co2 is getting hung up sometimes it just worries me is all if I wasn't going to be gone for the next 15 weeks I wouldn't really care

 

[pirate2876]

The PH controller is what keeps the regulator from controlling the desired PH in the reactor. I would keep it so that a health flow of bubbles is released when the regulator is open. All day long you are going to hear the reg shut off and open. When you don't hear that, you know something is up.