Feed pump for GEO calcium reactor

Montrosereef · Feb 21, 2013

I am trying to understand calcium reactor setup and checking out a GEO reactor, which suggests to use a Maxi-Jet 1200 or Aqua Lifter as feed pump. I am lost here. I know MJ 1200 has a much higher gph rate than aqua lifter. They are not even comparable. does the feed pump run continually? Can anyone tell me which feed pump to use?

H2O · Feb 21, 2013

depends on reactor size i have the geo calcium reactor but it came with eheim 1040a pump, look up the model size you have and get the original pump for the best results

AZDesertRat · Feb 21, 2013

I have a Geo and use a MJ400 powerhead. It only needs to match the drip rate of your effluent so any small powerhead will work really.

kuyatwo · Feb 21, 2013

if money is no opject pickup a varitaltic pump or peristaltic pump. I run a simon varistaltic pump i set the effluent through the pump and i never have to mess with the microvalve again

mc-cro · Feb 21, 2013

the eheim is the recirculating pump I believe.

I used a mj1200 for years, it was consistent enough, although it did need adjusting every few days. I finally updgraded to a peristaltic pump a couple of months ago. its extremely consistent and easy to adjust

Montrosereef · Feb 21, 2013

Thanks guys! I was thinking a reducing T would do fine to bypass water to reactor. I can save power and money to get a feed pump.

AZDesertRat · Feb 21, 2013

What are you calling a reducing tee?
Do you mean branching off your return pump so it feeds the reactor also?

One thing you want to be cafeful of with many calcium reactors is pressurizing the reactor, some can only take a few psi pressure before the o rings or seals start to leak. A small MJ powerhead only pumps a few psi or about 6 feet of head so is no problem and peristaltic pumps while the are capable of tremendous pressure only pump a s=very small volume so are not much faster than the drip rate. Some return pumps are capable 0f 12-15 or more feet of head so can develop pressures in the 5-10 psi range which may be more than your reactor is capable of handling. Use caution. A MJ400 or MJ600 or comparable size powerhead only consumes a few watts at such low flow rates so is not a big deal and don't cost much. I never adjust my MJ400 for months on end.

Acroholic · Feb 21, 2013

kuyatwo said:
if money is no opject pickup a varitaltic pump or peristaltic pump. I run a simon varistaltic pump i set the effluent through the pump and i never have to mess with the microvalve again

+1.
I have a 465 gallon reef, and use a GEO 818 calcium reactor. I use a Masterflex Peristaltic pump to feed the reactor, and it has a dead accurate flow rate. I got tired of fiddling with valves. I have another Masterflex feeding my sulfur denitrator. If you look on ebay, you can get good deals at the $200-$250 mark for a lab grade used unit with a pump head. I paid $220 shipped for my last Masterflex.

With a peristaltic pump feeding a calcium reactor, and a good CO2 regulator like the aquariumplants.com unit, you can maintain a very steady KH in your tank.