Effluent tubing - CA Reactor

[GarrettT]

For people using a pinch valve on their calcium reactors effluent line, what tubing are you using? Airline? I'd imagine the valve would require some give in order to sandwich the tubing.

 

[KrisReef]

I would be afraid of potential pressure build up on that line and in the reactor with a pinch valve on the effluent.

 

[costaricareef]

When I used a pinch valve, I used normal RO tubing, no issues. Now I use a dosing pump in pull mode.

 

[FishTruck]

Some reactors work better with a little positive pressure (this prevents air intrusion), but, the pinch valves get clogged easily.

The pull mode (described by cotaricareef) above can work great on some reactors, but, if you find that it is constantly filling with air, it could be the negative pressure. You can then just put your maxijet back on the push end, effectively using the peristaltic pump as a brake, which is not very prone to clogging. Plus, dosing pumps are pricey and have their own issues - so, I still advocate the pinch valve method if your reactor came with one.

I like RO tubing, and I like fuel filters just before the pinch valve. Silicone tubing is really handy to match your RO tubing to the fuel filters. At this point, I am using these fuel filters wherever I have saltwater going through RO tubing. It is really easy to see when they need to be changed (monthly).

 

[GarrettT]

I would be afraid of potential pressure build up on that line and in the reactor with a pinch valve on the effluent.

The feeding pump will be small and have a modified tee on it to relieve pressure. Likely to put a ball valve after the tee to even further reduce the psi.

 

[GarrettT]

Would it make sense for one to put multiple pinch valves at a reduced position to further prevent the likelihood of a clog rather than relying solely on a single valve? Anyone do or try this?

 

[FishTruck]

Hey GarrettT, nice avatar, BTW .

Regarding the pump size, what did your CaRx come with? Usually, small Eheims or maxijets are fine at full push without a T valve - even with a clogged line - without cracking the reactor. Just watch out if you try to feed your reactor with a manifold from your return pump. That will crack it. Ask me how I know.

The problem with multiple pinch valves is that it would be hard to know which one clogged when you find your reactor filled with gas. With the fuel filters, you won't get clogged.

 

[GarrettT]

Great minds think alike Geo 818 - It uses a sicce 0.5 pump (185gph- 4ft HH). I believe I read somewhere that under 200gph is ok (can't find source though).

Good point on the inability to find the location of the clog.

 

[FishTruck]

Great minds think alike Geo 818 - It uses a sicce 0.5 pump (185gph- 4ft HH). I believe I read somewhere that under 200gph is ok (can't find source though).

Good point on the inability to find the location of the clog.

Just check the GEO website for instructions. Whatever pump they recommend will be fine, even without a Tee (but, at TEE won't hurt). I would only add the fuel filter before the pinch valve and otherwise follow the GEO method.

I tried to get fancy on mine with pH controllers, dosing pumps, and in retrospect it was a complete waste of time and caused numerous ALK rollercoasters.