Effluent drip valve

[islander84]

What is the most dependable valve for the effluent drip line on Ca RX? Im dripping approx 45 dpm. Seems like its constantly out of sync.... but im using some sort of fitting that goes over the line then has a knob that you turn to adjust and it pinches the line.....

 

[Acroholic]

I use these in the 1/4" OD John Guest push fittings at the bottom of the page. They are easy to use.

SMC Needle Valves | U.S. Plastic Corp.

But one caveat to this: calcium reactors are not the easiest pieces of equipment to regulate effluent through. The longer a reactor operates, the more detritus from the feed water and sludge from the dissolving media accumulates in the reactor, and consequently gets into the effluent line and can block the line, requiring readjustment of the flow. So while I feel the needle valve I recommended is about the best all plastic valve you can get withoug spending a huge amount of money, don't expect miracles. It will require adjustment as well.


Ultimately, I think the best way to get a consistent effluent rate through a calcium reactor is to use a high quality peristaltic pump, which should eliminate the need for a needle valve altogether. I'm about to put this to the test by putting a Masterflex Perisaltic Dosing Pump into service on my own GEO 818 calcium reactor.

 

[islander84]

Thanks Acro! It seems to be caused from air pockets usually.... unless theres small debris i cant see mixed in there.. no detritus build up in reactor, but a little sludge from disolved media. I check everything 2x a day anyway so i guess its not a huge problem

 

[Acroholic]

Thanks Acro! It seems to be caused from air pockets usually.... unless theres small debris i cant see mixed in there.. no detritus build up in reactor, but a little sludge from disolved media. I check everything 2x a day anyway so i guess its not a huge problem

Shouldn't be an issue if you check 2x daily. I would like to set and forget. Should have the Masterflex pump up and working in a couple days.