I'm setting up my first calcium reactor and have run into 2 issues so far. First here is what I'm working with:
Equipment:
Equipment:
- Calcium Reactor: CR618 w/ SMC618 secondary Chamber. I paid the extra $20 for the High Grade check valve
- Regulator: CarbonDoser
- Feed Pump: Neptune PMUP
- Just for comparison:
- PMUP - Flow Rate: 100 gph/ Max Head Pressure 168"
- MJ1200 - Flow Rate: 295 gph/ Max Head Pressure: 69"
- Media: ReBorn and ReMag w/ a 9:1 ratio
- When I have just the regulator running, and put the CO2 output into a cup of water, the bubble rate works as expected. When I put the check valve on the end, then submerge that into a cup of water, it still works as expected. when I put the check valve into the reactor, the bubbles are erratic. I'm sure the amount of CO2 going into the reactor is the same, but it acts as if the back pressure on the check valve is a little high, and the CO2 has to build up in the tube before it can overcome the pressure in the check valve. Is this normal? All the videos I watch of people setting up CaRx seem to have a very even consistent bubble count going into the reactor.
- When I turn on my feed pump, the bubbles stop completely. I'm figuring the high head pressure of the feed pump is causing too much internal pressure in the reactor and the bubbles can't overcome the pressure in the check valve. I installed a ball value to reduce the input, and once I turn the ball valve almost completely closed, issue #1 starts happening again. I'm guessing it's not possible to use this pump. I have a MJ400 I'll try hooking up tonight.
