Calcium Reactor Plumbing Question

cmhollis · 03/22/2006, 03:38 PM

Ok,

I need some input on plumbing my calcium reactor. I tried a tee off the suction of the skimmer pump (Blueline HD70), but that just sucked all the water out of the reactor.

I have a tee on the discharge of my return pump (Sequence 1000 SW 3200), that I could use, but would that be too much? I wouldn't want all that pressure to channel the reactor media and minimize contact time.

Does the Iwaki MD20 pump on the reactor have enough draw to do an up and over?

Is there some type of self piercing device I could use to put a hole in the sump (Rubbermaid 100g stock tank) and draw from there?

I really need to get this reactor up and running.

Thanks,

Mike

MCary · 03/22/2006, 04:21 PM

I confused why your having a problem. The calcium reactor has a pump that recirculates the water through the media. The water from the system that is pumped in should equal that amount of effluent you want pumped out. Am I correct so far?

Now, measuring the calcium daily for awhile should tell how much the tank uses in a day. That will determine how much effluent needs to be added in a day (based on the alk of the effluent). That should be a relatively small amount. The the water pumped into the reactor from the tank could be from a pump, powerhead, dosing pump, or gravity.

So couldn't you tee off the return pump and attach a guest fitting will a small valve to control flow into the reactor or even put a valve on the effluent line to control flow out of the reactor?

03/22/2006, 03:38 PM	#1
cmhollis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ledyard, CT Posts: 1,226	Calcium Reactor Plumbing Question Ok, I need some input on plumbing my calcium reactor. I tried a tee off the suction of the skimmer pump (Blueline HD70), but that just sucked all the water out of the reactor. I have a tee on the discharge of my return pump (Sequence 1000 SW 3200), that I could use, but would that be too much? I wouldn't want all that pressure to channel the reactor media and minimize contact time. Does the Iwaki MD20 pump on the reactor have enough draw to do an up and over? Is there some type of self piercing device I could use to put a hole in the sump (Rubbermaid 100g stock tank) and draw from there? I really need to get this reactor up and running. Thanks, Mike __________________ "These mist covered mountains, are a home now for me, but my home is the lowlands, and always will be." - Dire Straits Yes Amy, I am on the national marrow registry. Current Tank Info: 120g In-wall, MR3 skimmer w/ Blueline HD70, ACIII controller, CR3 calcium reactor, Sequence 5800 CLS via OM 4-way, Sequence 3200 return, 2 - 250W 10K MH, 1 - 150W 20K MH, 4 - 110W VHO Actinics

03/22/2006, 04:21 PM	#2
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	I confused why your having a problem. The calcium reactor has a pump that recirculates the water through the media. The water from the system that is pumped in should equal that amount of effluent you want pumped out. Am I correct so far? Now, measuring the calcium daily for awhile should tell how much the tank uses in a day. That will determine how much effluent needs to be added in a day (based on the alk of the effluent). That should be a relatively small amount. The the water pumped into the reactor from the tank could be from a pump, powerhead, dosing pump, or gravity. So couldn't you tee off the return pump and attach a guest fitting will a small valve to control flow into the reactor or even put a valve on the effluent line to control flow out of the reactor?