GEO reactor

[reefer fro canada]

I am looking for help with this reactor.I purchased it used and it came with all original parts.I replaced all tubing and fittings with new to eliminate any problems.Now it still has the eheim pump.MY problem is I have a curtain of micro bubbles in the reactor after running it for two days.There must be a air leak some where but I am not sure where it could be.Looking on line I was wondering if it could be the type of pump it has.I have replaced the o ring and cleaned it right out before I used it.Or could it be from the rubber manifold fitting at the bottom of the reactor I did not replace this one but it seems fine no water leaks.Looking for suggestion thanks guys.

 

[lapin]

Could they be coming in the water from a skimmer thats before the reactor?

 

[Water Dog]

Are you currently feeding the CaRx CO2 or are you just running the Eheim recirculation pump and feed pump with no CO2 for testing purposes?

 

[reefer fro canada]

just the feed pump and recirculation pump.No C02 running.

 

[reefer fro canada]

reactor is before protein skimmer in separate compartment.Flow goes from reactor to skimmer

 

[reefer fro canada]

I am at a loss I think it must be coming from the pump.I might try getting a different recirculating pump.Maybe a different make.I was thinking of the sycra 3.do you think this would do the same job.I know this is what they are using on the new ones.

 

[Water Dog]

Sounds definitely like an air leak somewhere... What size Geo calcium reactor? What kind of feed pump are you using? If peristaltic, are you pushing or pulling? When you replaced all the fittings, did you use tape or paste?

 

[reefer fro canada]

I have 624 GEO reactor and I am pulling with a kamoer FX SYP 2 .I have used tape on fittings but I have never had a leak ever with tape use it all the time.I like the idea of pulling the water.I thought it would give you everner flow.

 

[reefer fro canada]

I should mention when the feed pump is only on the bubbles all go away.But when I turn on the recirculating pump they all come back

 

[reefer fro canada]

I had a thought do you think if I put a foam pad in the bottom to act as a bubble trap under the screen if that would stop or slow down the bubbles.

 

[Water Dog]

That sounds like an air leak on the intake side of the Eheim pump. Try taking the barbed fittings of the pump and use a thread sealant paste on the fitting threads.

Anything like Teflon paste or Plasto Joint Stik will do...

 

[reefer fro canada]

I will try that I just have go purchase some I don't have any here right now.I will let you know how it goes thanks

 

[reefer fro canada]

I had a look at the pump and the inlet on the pump is a glued on elbow.So to change that I will have to buy a new front if I can even get it.

 

[Water Dog]

Hmmm... If glued on I’d leave it alone.

 

[Water Dog]

The next place I would check is the uniseal. Old ones tend to get brittle over time. You can try removing it and either replace it, or put it in boiling water for 30 seconds or so. That will soften it up and make it pliable again. Put some silicone grease on both the inner and outer sealing edges before reinstalling.

 

[reefer fro canada]

could it be the hose from the outlet of the pump to the reactor I never replaced that hose mostly because it was on very tight.I did add an extra clamp to it though.I will try the uniseal in boiling water I did not do that.I will let you know how that goes

 

[Water Dog]

It’s possible, not a fan of that vinyl tubing as it gets quite brittle over time as well. I replaced my vinyl tubing with soft silicone tubing. If you do replace it though, be very careful when you try to remove the old tubing from the barbs, you don’t want to crack where the barb fittings attach to the plastic pump housing. I’d try the uniseal thing first as it’s the easier thing to troubleshoot out of the two. If it doesn’t work, move on to the tubing next.

 

[reefer fro canada]

Okay thanks I will do that

 

[reefer fro canada]

I am just touching back I want to thank you for your help.My reactor is running great now no bubbles at all.After doing all the things you mentioned it runs like knew thanks again.

 

[Reefer1978]

I am glad all that worked for you. I gave up on my a few years back and redesigned it to air doesn't easily recirculate through the reactor.