Tunze 3171 setup
- Thread starter adtravels
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joseserrano
2500 Club Member
You can do that, but it would be ineffective or you need a bigger reactor. The cost of a new regulator isn’t worth shooting for this
dragon99
2500 Club Member
How so? I believe that's how a calcium reactor SHOULD be setup. The solenoid should be used as a safety/backup device, not a constant control mechanism. With the bubble count set correctly the amount of C02 entering will always be 100% dissolved and produce effluent with high Alk. The regulator wouldn't be affected either way.
dragon99
2500 Club Member
I believe based on this post that he does appear to have the pH stable without the solenoid cutting on/off. There are no spikes/drops in pH indicating a cutoff/influx of CO2.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tunze-3171-setup.488150/#post-5313263
joseserrano
2500 Club Member
What is your assumption of the times it is turning on and off?
dragon99
2500 Club Member
It should be in an always open state. Then if pH dropped too low in the reactor due to, for instance, the regulator dumping CO2 as tank pressure dropped it would close preventing the reactor media from melting.
joseserrano
2500 Club Member
I think your way is perfectly fine, but I don't think that having the regulator on open will be effective for all hobbyist. Some run their CA only during day time to help with PH in the tank,.....
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adtravels
Active Member
My off point for the solenoid is 6.39 and on point 6.49, it has not turned off since 2nd November. My alk has risen a little over the past 2 days from 8.9 to 9.4 though, so I may have to tweek a little. I am wondering whats the best variable to change bubble rate or drip rate?
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adtravels
Active Member
It has been rock solid, I think a faster drip rate will be the safest in the long run due to the nature of the way in which you choke down the flow. it is pretty rudimentary. and I could see a possible blockage forming in the tube. Like most calcium reactor I would Noy want it anywhere near the light from a refugium, for obvious reasons.
tgrick
Well-Known Member
I really love mine. I did not chime in earlier to let you get a feel for your new toy. As you mention, it's rock solid and dead simple. What an amazing addition that creates rock solid stability for a reef tank. I'm still amazed that so few people mention it. My SPS grows so fast I'm starting to think I may need to take a chisel to a few pieces.
One of the main benefits of the adjustment on the intake is it is less likely to block, the drip rate setting on the output tends to block all the time and need weekly adjustment, on the input usually you will get 3+ months, algae growth in the tubing being an exception that will block it faster.
Generally if the flow rate changes the cause is either too much CO2 or adjusting it to quickly. There is a time delay between adjusting the water in and the drip rate changing as their is some pressure in the unit, likewise excess CO2 will pressurize the unit and the accumulated gas will exit the drip line if it is too much and this will reduce the drip rate.
X-37B
Fight The Good Fight
I have been rockin my 3171 for a month and a half. Solenoid on, no controller, 2 stage regulator, tunze media, 20-25ml per minute, 65 bpm, and holding 8.1 dkh for a month now. I drip into a small tube of coral bones for ph control but its not needed. Effluent ph is 6.8. I checked it but dont monitor it.
Dkh effluent is 20-22.
Dkh effluent is 20-22.
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