Feeding your Calc Reactor

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

So what do you guys think is the best way to feed your calc reactor. I'm looking for a 1 drop per second or 1 drop every three seconds for my drip rate, and using the needle valve is for the birds. I'm looking at the litermeter 3 right now, but are there any better methods to doing this?
Thanks,

Luke

benny z · Dec 1, 2009

i feed my main system with a valve and reducer from my main return pump. on another system i use a maxijet to feed it. on yet another (large) system i use a litermeter 3. i would say the litermeter is an awesome piece of equipment for dialing in your system's daily needs, but is probably a bit much (and pricey) if you just need 1 drop every 1-3 seconds...

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

Thanks for the feedback. Well my reason to want to feed my reactor differently is because the needle valve is always changing and acts finicky so i have to adjust it nearly every day, which makes it inconsistent. Is there a better needle valve out there? I just want a way to feed my tank a drop per second. There has to be a better way, but if i can do this less expensive than a litermeter 3 that would be great : )

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

I use a mj900 to feed my reactor right now fwiw. Everything seems to work well except the needle valve being consistent.

benny z · Dec 1, 2009

i don't think you'll find a perfect needle valve. i check my drip rate at least daily and adjust as necessary...it usually slows down every 2-3 days.

H@rry · Dec 1, 2009

I use MaxiJets to feed mine. You have to check them everyday. At the small drip rates that we have it doesn't take very much to stop them up.

SDguy · Dec 1, 2009

I use the needle valves from USPlastics.com Very reliable and sensitive, making tiny adjustments easy. I feed my reactor with a T from my return pump. The valve is on the effluent line, so that the reactor itself is slightly pressurized. This, IME, makes very low drip and bubble rates much easier to achieve, and consistent.

hth

Paul_N · Dec 1, 2009

I feed mine off of a manifold. I have a QO in sump that feeds my Ca reactor and (2) reactors for GFO and carbon although GFO is not in use. I have a needle valve on the end of my effluent line of my reactor and it remains pretty consistent.

fragjunkie · Dec 1, 2009

I run it off of my main pump but have also used an aqua lifter.

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

Thanks guys ill check out us plastics before I spend the $350

macawmagic · Dec 1, 2009

I was told from a local to put the valve on the INCOMING water, but have later learned why not to do that.

the goods...your drip rate only changes like once a month!!!

the bads...the co2 doesn't mix inside the chamber correctly since the pressure is now only in the water line and not in the reactor.

I WOULD NOT do this!!! I'm picking up a 1/4" gate valve from him tonight in order to switch it back!

Hopefully a gatevalve won't clog as much, or be easy enough to fine tune every day! I hated my little pinch valve before...soooooo annoying!

SDguy · Dec 1, 2009

The needle valves I use:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/search.aspx?search=needle%20valves&page=1

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

macawmagic said:
I was told from a local to put the valve on the INCOMING water, but have later learned why not to do that.

the goods...your drip rate only changes like once a month!!!

the bads...the co2 doesn't mix inside the chamber correctly since the pressure is now only in the water line and not in the reactor.

I WOULD NOT do this!!! I'm picking up a 1/4" gate valve from him tonight in order to switch it back!

Hopefully a gatevalve won't clog as much, or be easy enough to fine tune every day! I hated my little pinch valve before...soooooo annoying!

This sounds like a doable idea, my only worry is it wouldn't allow my mj enough pressure to feed the reactor. I tried a very small pump and thats what happened when i used it. But it could work. This would pry eliminate the use of a needle valve as well.

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

SDguy said:
The needle valves I use:
Search Results | U.S. Plastic Corp.

SDguy, do you use the first one on the link or do you think the second one would work? That looks like a true needle valve to me. Much more stable to use that. Almost looks like a tiny gate valve.

SDguy · Dec 1, 2009

I use these:
3/8" Barb x 3/8" Barb PVC Needle Valve | U.S. Plastic Corp.

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

Perfect. Thanks man.

purplereef · Dec 1, 2009

I have been trying to solve this very problem for about 3 years now. I have that same needle valve from US plastics and it will not maintain that slow of a drip rate. If you get something figured out please let us know. I have to adjust my drip rate every day as well.

luke33 · Dec 1, 2009

I plan on trying something tonight and will try that valve when it comes in, hopefully friday. I'll get it figured out one way or another as i don't have time to mess with the reactor every day. Worst case is i have to buy the litermeter 3 or something similar.

SDguy · Dec 1, 2009

purplereef said:
I have been trying to solve this very problem for about 3 years now. I have that same needle valve from US plastics and it will not maintain that slow of a drip rate. If you get something figured out please let us know. I have to adjust my drip rate every day as well.

IME the feed pump/method needs to be strong and consistent. This is why I use a T off my Panworld return pump.

If all else fails, simply increase the drip rate to a rate that is stable for you. By doing this, and not increasing your bubble rate, you will get approximately the same net amount of ca/alk added to the tank. It's juts not as efficient as possible for using the CO2.

luke33 · Dec 4, 2009

Just wanted to update this thread. I have figured out the problem with my reactor, could be the same problem with yours too purplereef. When i set it up the bubble counter worked but wasn't super consistent with production as well as the drip rate. There were also quite a few co2 bubbles in the reactor at all times. And the pump was a bit noisy as it cavitated now and then. So what i did was instead of letting the water and co2 build up in the top and then have the pump pull it down i glue'd a 1" piece of acrylic over the input on top and this REALLY made the difference. So instead of bubbles, inconsistent bubble counter and inconsistent drip rate its now no bubbles, consistent bubble count and consistent drip rate. Been fine for 2 days and its super easy to dial in now. So it was really buildup of co2 causing the problem. Made the recirculating pump inconsistent which caused probs with pretty much everything. I imagine all calc reactors made like this are going to have the same problem.