Ca/Rx Feed Pump

JD52 · 09/22/2009, 07:51 AM

What are ya'll using for the feed pump on your calcium reactor. Im not running a sump so Id like to find something that can run externally. Pics of your settups would be great!

landlord · 09/22/2009, 07:54 AM

My no longer being used Lifereef model came with a Mag7 to run it. It was external.

Sorry I have no pics but imagine a Mag7 next to a Calcium Reactor and you get the idea...

Kurt

JD52 · 09/22/2009, 07:58 AM

Mag 7? Sounds like that might have been used as the recirculating pump, usually feed pumps are much smaller... Im running a mah 7 for recirc and an Aqua lifter for feed, Im thinking the aqua lifter might not be doing the job. Also, Last night my CO2 tank read 1000psi and this morning its showing to be empty?? HUH?? Im doing about 40 bpb, that just aint computing... gggrrr.. Thanks for the quick reply!

landlord · 09/22/2009, 08:03 AM

Oops sorry, you're right. The feed pump was a small Rio. I had then swapped it out for a small ID tube run off a manifold I built. Maybe 50 gph of flow. Resticted on the output to a dribble.

Kurt

landlord · 09/22/2009, 08:04 AM

Is (or was) you're CO2 tank cold. You lost a lot of pressure really quick. Is your regulator working properly????

JD52 · 09/22/2009, 08:17 AM

Tanks is room temp, as for the regulator, it seems to be working and its brand new (Milwaulkee MA957) not the best I know but it came with the settup. Im going to have the tank refilled today and try it again., My main issue is not being able to get the effluent Ph belpw 7.2, this is confirmed by two different Ph units.. This is my first attempt at a Ca reactor so please exuse my newbiness..

landlord · 09/22/2009, 08:20 AM

How much water flow (In drop or ml) were you sending back to the tank?

JD52 · 09/22/2009, 08:32 AM

About 60ml per minute, maybe a little more.. Thanks again for the help..!

tkeracer619 · 09/22/2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JD52
Mag 7? Sounds like that might have been used as the recirculating pump, usually feed pumps are much smaller... Im running a mah 7 for recirc and an Aqua lifter for feed, Im thinking the aqua lifter might not be doing the job. Also, Last night my CO2 tank read 1000psi and this morning its showing to be empty?? HUH?? Im doing about 40 bpb, that just aint computing... gggrrr.. Thanks for the quick reply!

If nothing malfunctioned that is normal. When the tank is empty it will still read full psi until the gas runs out then it drops off almost overnight.

landlord · 09/22/2009, 09:27 AM

As you probably know you can either turn up the bubbles/per min or reduce the effluent outflow to increase pH. I do not believe there is any way else to reduce the pH as you desire. If there is a leak in the gas system somewhere this could definitely muck things up, so refilling the tank and making sure it maintain pressure is probably a good start. From my experiences a 10 lbs tank with 1000 pounds of pressure at 60 bbs per min was lasting me over 6 months.

Good Luck

Kurt

tkeracer619 · 09/22/2009, 09:40 AM

The hands down best feed pump for a calcium reactor is an adjustable peristaltic type. They require a slight bit of maintenance and cost more then your standard pump but they do well under different amounts of head pressure.

The more consistent your water flow is the more consistent the regulator is. With a normal pump as media dissolves water flow increases which increases the ph in the reactor. Peristaltic pumps do not have this issue. I have not adjusted my reactor over the last 3 refills of media.

I use a Cole-Parmer medical grade pump I got off ebay for a few hundred. A lot of people use a litermeter pump. The entry level pump would be a maxijet 1200 if you cannot or do not want to spring for the peristaltic type.

JD52 · 09/22/2009, 10:10 AM

Hey thanks ya'll, turns out the regulator was/is leaking gas at the safety, that would explain the sudden loss of tank pressure. Talked to Milwaukee and they had me send it in so off it went. I happen to have a utility parastaltic pump laying around that Ive had for years so Ill probably try it instead of the Aqua Lifter when I get the regulator back. Everything ya'll said makes perfect sense and Ill keep this for reference... Thanks again! Anyone have a pic or two of their Ca/Rx settup?

TheMcs · 09/22/2009, 12:30 PM

I use a Reeflo Hammerhead.

Small T coming off the line to a gate valve then further reduced down to 1/2". It's nice to be able to get the DT, prop tanks, & Ca reactor off of one pump.

JD52 · 09/22/2009, 05:59 PM

I do have a closed loop running a Mag12, I guess I could always tap into that if needed. Not a bad idea! Thanks...

09/22/2009, 07:51 AM	#1
JD52 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Austin Tx. Posts: 710	Ca/Rx Feed Pump What are ya'll using for the feed pump on your calcium reactor. Im not running a sump so Id like to find something that can run externally. Pics of your settups would be great!

09/22/2009, 07:54 AM	#2
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	My no longer being used Lifereef model came with a Mag7 to run it. It was external. Sorry I have no pics but imagine a Mag7 next to a Calcium Reactor and you get the idea... Kurt __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

09/22/2009, 08:03 AM	#4
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	Oops sorry, you're right. The feed pump was a small Rio. I had then swapped it out for a small ID tube run off a manifold I built. Maybe 50 gph of flow. Resticted on the output to a dribble. Kurt __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

09/22/2009, 08:04 AM	#5
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	Is (or was) you're CO2 tank cold. You lost a lot of pressure really quick. Is your regulator working properly???? __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

09/22/2009, 08:20 AM	#7
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	How much water flow (In drop or ml) were you sending back to the tank? __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

09/22/2009, 07:58 AM	#3
JD52 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Austin Tx. Posts: 710	Mag 7? Sounds like that might have been used as the recirculating pump, usually feed pumps are much smaller... Im running a mah 7 for recirc and an Aqua lifter for feed, Im thinking the aqua lifter might not be doing the job. Also, Last night my CO2 tank read 1000psi and this morning its showing to be empty?? HUH?? Im doing about 40 bpb, that just aint computing... gggrrr.. Thanks for the quick reply!

09/22/2009, 08:17 AM	#6
JD52 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Austin Tx. Posts: 710	Tanks is room temp, as for the regulator, it seems to be working and its brand new (Milwaulkee MA957) not the best I know but it came with the settup. Im going to have the tank refilled today and try it again., My main issue is not being able to get the effluent Ph belpw 7.2, this is confirmed by two different Ph units.. This is my first attempt at a Ca reactor so please exuse my newbiness..

09/22/2009, 08:32 AM	#8
JD52 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Austin Tx. Posts: 710	About 60ml per minute, maybe a little more.. Thanks again for the help..!

09/22/2009, 09:27 AM	#10
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	As you probably know you can either turn up the bubbles/per min or reduce the effluent outflow to increase pH. I do not believe there is any way else to reduce the pH as you desire. If there is a leak in the gas system somewhere this could definitely muck things up, so refilling the tank and making sure it maintain pressure is probably a good start. From my experiences a 10 lbs tank with 1000 pounds of pressure at 60 bbs per min was lasting me over 6 months. Good Luck Kurt __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

09/22/2009, 09:40 AM	#11
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	The hands down best feed pump for a calcium reactor is an adjustable peristaltic type. They require a slight bit of maintenance and cost more then your standard pump but they do well under different amounts of head pressure. The more consistent your water flow is the more consistent the regulator is. With a normal pump as media dissolves water flow increases which increases the ph in the reactor. Peristaltic pumps do not have this issue. I have not adjusted my reactor over the last 3 refills of media. I use a Cole-Parmer medical grade pump I got off ebay for a few hundred. A lot of people use a litermeter pump. The entry level pump would be a maxijet 1200 if you cannot or do not want to spring for the peristaltic type. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

09/22/2009, 10:10 AM	#12
JD52 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Austin Tx. Posts: 710	Hey thanks ya'll, turns out the regulator was/is leaking gas at the safety, that would explain the sudden loss of tank pressure. Talked to Milwaukee and they had me send it in so off it went. I happen to have a utility parastaltic pump laying around that Ive had for years so Ill probably try it instead of the Aqua Lifter when I get the regulator back. Everything ya'll said makes perfect sense and Ill keep this for reference... Thanks again! Anyone have a pic or two of their Ca/Rx settup?

09/22/2009, 12:30 PM	#13
TheMcs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,272	I use a Reeflo Hammerhead. Small T coming off the line to a gate valve then further reduced down to 1/2". It's nice to be able to get the DT, prop tanks, & Ca reactor off of one pump. __________________ Evaporation and top off don't count as water changes... Current Tank Info: 185g Deep Sea display, 2x 40g frag tanks, 90g fuge, 60g sump (400+ gal system)

09/22/2009, 05:59 PM	#14
JD52 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Austin Tx. Posts: 710	I do have a closed loop running a Mag12, I guess I could always tap into that if needed. Not a bad idea! Thanks...