How to Plumb Calcium Reactor Off Return Pump

[jaysauce]

Hi,

I have a Geo 612 Calcium Reactor and want to plumb it off of a second PVC line coming off my Eheim 1260 return pump. Does anyone have any photos of their setup or have any recommendation on the best way to do this as far as stable flow for the effluent? What size plumbing are you using and what connections are needed to get from the PVC to the Geo 612?

Thanks!

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

you will need a T the size of the return line you have. a ball valve for control. lowes has all kinds of barb fitting. I used a thread on for my 3/4 return line. what is the diameter of the return line and reactor line.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

the T I used was thread the side outlet and slip on the straight threw. I glued it in and used a barb with a thread to fit. it also reduced it from 3/4 to 1/2 for my biopellet reactor. the reactor came with a barbed valve to control flow. you can get one of them or a ball valve to hard plumb in.

 

[jaysauce]

Return line is 3/4". The reactor line is whatever is typical for a Geo 612. I believe the feed line is 3/8" OD. What would be the best way to have constant flow? Some people say to leave the effluent output open without a valve and put the valve on the effluent inlet side. Is this correct?

Also, does the Co2 feed line need to be a special type of tubing to handle pressure? Maybe something similar to what is used for paintball tanks? Or can any be used?

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

as far as co2 tubing it don't break down and leak as quickly so I would use it. your return pump will force force water through so you need away to regulated it. the influence needs to be dripped or you will have calcium precipitation in the water from to much calcium.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

I think it would work either way but I would put a valve on the return just in case you go a different route and the the outlet the control the drip. some else might have a better idea.

 

[Reef UP]

Do it like this I have such control That I hardly use my ball valve on my effluent

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

that is better than my idea.

 

[jaysauce]

Do it like this I have such control That I hardly use my ball valve on my effluent

It looks as if you just have a ball valve on the input side of the effluent. Is this right? I am not sure what is going on in the second pic. Can you explain?

Thanks!

 

[jaysauce]

So a ball valve should give me consistant flow? Do I need any other needle valves on any of the feed or effluent lines?

Thanks!

 

[jaysauce]

How is everyone else feeding their calcium reactor?

 

[jaysauce]

Finally got my calcium reactor setup. I ended up setting up a different pipe off my return and then used John Guest Fittings to go to the reactor. A John Guest ball valve is used right before the inlet to the reactor. The pressure is fairly high and I have been able to keep a 30ml/min outlet rate consistently for 48 hours now.

 

[turfster26]

Install a 'T' of your return and plumb in a complete manifold setup like the one in the pic. This way your system can grow with your equipment needs for: carbon, gfo, etc.

HTH