Feed Pump for Geo 618 caRX

[Makers Marc]

Hey,

I just got my new geo 618 calcium reactor and aquarium plants carbon doser regulator assembled.

Consensus seems to recommend an MJ1200 or eheim 1048.

Aside from splurging on a perialistic pump, is there anything that makes one feed pump better than another? Do both the above pumps come with everything I need, or do i need makeshift some valves, etc.

Secondly, I built a sexy manifold off my varios 6 return, that is being underutilized currently, but read not to feed the reactor from one. Is there an easy modification i can do on the tubing or manifold to make it usable by the geo 618?

 

[IvanW]

There are some new,supposedly affordable continuous duty pumps coming out. I think one is from Spectrapure. You can use a Maxi Jet as well. The continuous pumps give you more ability to fine tune.

 

[Makers Marc]

There are some new,supposedly affordable continuous duty pumps coming out. I think one is from Spectrapure. You can use a Maxi Jet as well. The continuous pumps give you more ability to fine tune.

Thanks. I guess I thought all of these pumps are continuous duty, in terms of I can leave them on 24/7 like a return pump.

 

[IvanW]

Thanks. I guess I thought all of these pumps are continuous duty, in terms of I can leave them on 24/7 like a return pump.

Maxi jets are just regular pumps they can run 24/7. There is a rally good thread on the other forum Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread ,has great info. In hardware,equipment forum.

 

[Makers Marc]

Yeah, ive been through that alot over the year but ill wade through again.

If I have a Spears gate valve for easy tuning, why cant I run my feed from my manifold?

 

[mtraylor]

run it from your manifold. That is what I do.

 

[ndrwater]

I run my 818 from my manifold.. John Guest fittings in/out. Works great.
Fwiw, I also use the Aquarium Plants reg, and control it via APEX.
Once dialed in, it's been a rock solid setup. Haven't touched it in months

 

[TonyNguyen]

I have a 618 and my maxijet does a great job. I was considering plumbing my main into it like you. But I think you need something that is on it's own, so it won't not all go down at once..if your return fail... correct me if I'm wrong... I got my down drain ready to hook it up also...lol

 

[Makers Marc]

I run my 818 from my manifold.. John Guest fittings in/out. Works great.
Fwiw, I also use the Aquarium Plants reg, and control it via APEX.
Once dialed in, it's been a rock solid setup. Haven't touched it in months

Got it. If you have a build I'll take a look at ur setup.

 

[Makers Marc]

I have a 618 and my maxijet does a great job. I was considering plumbing my main into it like you. But I think you need something that is on it's own, so it won't not all go down at once..if your return fail... correct me if I'm wrong... I got my down drain ready to hook it up also...lol

So is that really the only reason? If my return pump shuts off, Ill be more worried about o2 depletion than my alk dropping in that short period of time.

Then again, my tank is still a young 5 months old.

 

[Makers Marc]

Ok. After even more research I am going to just utilize my manifold. Although the mj1200 from Amazon is on the way, it seems like most ppl who say don't just "tee" off your return to feed Carx, dont have a Cepex ball valve to fine tune the feed.