Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[tkeracer619]

Pharmed tube is rated at 10,000+ hours. If it is breaking you should call cole parmer and talk to them about it! Something is not right. Consider switching to a ls17 compatible easy load.

I've never had a tube break.

[zachts]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Pharmed tube is rated at 10,000+ hours. If it is breaking you should call cole parmer and talk to them about it! Something is not right. Consider switching to a ls17 compatible easy load.

I've never had a tube break.

Where'd you find that rating at? All I've seen is what CP publishes (4000+ at 50rpm) though that may be very conservative. Since I'm using their pump heads I go by their tube life ratings......

[Bpb]

Really looking into one of these. I see they can be found for a couple hundred bucks if you look hard enough. There seem to be about as many models as there are auctions though. It's like learning the entire hobby all over again

[zachts]

Originally Posted by Bpb

Really looking into one of these. I see they can be found for a couple hundred bucks if you look hard enough. There seem to be about as many models as there are auctions though. It's like learning the entire hobby all over again

Yes, yes it is, but that's the fun of it right?

[swk]

Originally Posted by slief

Yep.. It's been discussed and nope, that pump is not suitable for calcium reactor use. Stenner pumps are not designed for 24/7 continuous duty. Nor can they be slowed down enough to meet the flow requirements of a calcium reactor. You really need a pump that you can control the ml/min rates very precisely and one that can pump continuously down to very low flow rates. +- 25ml/min. While you can adjust the flow on certain models, the motor spins at a constant speed but the adjustment controls a clutch that changes the frequency that the pump head engages in. The end result is that the motor never slows down. They are also TERRIBLY noisy. FWIW, I run a Stenner 85M5 for my ATO pump and they are probably the best ATO pump money can buy but I would never even consider using one for a calcium reactor as they don't offer the kind of precise control needed for calcium reactor use and would also result in flow irregulatities due to the fact that flow isn't constant if you slow them down. Instead it's intermittant due to the pump head clutch engagement.

Is this the case for all stenner pumps? I can get a stenner svp 1 pump for 200 bucks. Does this pump use the same method as the above posted pump to control flow?

[Krazie4Acans]

The SVP line is rated for continuous use like the CP Masterflex pumps. Although there isn't any good pictures of what the control panel looks like and whether the readout gives you the volume being pumped or just the percentage, or even worse just a bunch of LEDs in a line that increase as the speed increases. I also don't see one model that covers the entire range the may be needed for use on a reactor. Maybe I just missed that and changing out the pump head would do that.

[swk]

Gotcha. I passed on it as I found it kind of loud but check out this deal. Got all this stuff for 200. Just need a solid feed pump and ph controller and I'm good to go. I currently run a reef angel, but all I need is a probe to read the ph inside the unit, correct? The gas always stays on in this application?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1434661618.975976.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1434661633.682173.jpg

[Krazie4Acans]

I hope you got the top to the reactor as well. As long as you have a free probe connection on your reef angel then all you need is the probe. The goal with using this pump is to keep the gas on constant so that the regulator doesn't have to switch on and off constantly and to have a steady metered flow of effluent.

[swk]

Originally Posted by Krazie4Acans

I hope you got the top to the reactor as well. As long as you have a free probe connection on your reef angel then all you need is the probe. The goal with using this pump is to keep the gas on constant so that the regulator doesn't have to switch on and off constantly and to have a steady metered flow of effluent.

Yes I have the top with the collar for the ph probe and everything.

I don't have a spare port but I guess there's a ph expansion I can get.

[Krazie4Acans]

I'll take you word for it. I'm an Apex guy so I can tell you what you need for that.

[swk]

Is the master flex 7523-70 a good model for a calrx? The only reservation I have is that it maxes out at 100 rpm. Any input?

[slief]

Originally Posted by swk

Is the master flex 7523-70 a good model for a calrx? The only reservation I have is that it maxes out at 100 rpm. Any input?

Yes it is. The only downside is it's 100 rpm max. You will be likely running the pump between 17 and 40 rpm continuously assuming you are using LS17 tubing. In a perfect world the 600 rpm version of that model will be better but being that it's a brushless motor, it still should be a great pump. The 600 rpm versions use the same motor but have a 6"1 gear box on them that reduces the speed needed from the motor and thus the workload on it.

Ultimately it boils down to cost. If the price is right, I think you will be very happy.

[swk]

Originally Posted by slief

Yes it is. The only downside is it's 100 rpm max. You will be likely running the pump between 17 and 40 rpm continuously assuming you are using LS17 tubing. In a perfect world the 600 rpm version of that model will be better but being that it's a brushless motor, it still should be a great pump. The 600 rpm versions use the same motor but have a 6"1 gear box on them that reduces the speed needed from the motor and thus the workload on it.

Ultimately it boils down to cost. If the price is right, I think you will be very happy.

I got this pump and 2 easy-load II heads for 300. Now I just need to track down tubing. Am I correct in thinking that I just need a section of the tubing loaded into the head? Is that correct? Is the Ls/17 a good tubing for general applications?

[slief]

Originally Posted by swk

I got this pump and 2 easy-load II heads for 300. Now I just need to track down tubing. Am I correct in thinking that I just need a section of the tubing loaded into the head? Is that correct? Is the Ls/17 a good tubing for general applications?

Thatts a decent price for that pump with two Easly Load heads. Which model heads did it come with? I assume they support LS17? The 7518-00 and 7518-10's support the Pharmed tubing which is the best tubing. There is a black Easy load that supports LS17 but it's not really designed for Pharmed but it will work with it.

[swk]

This is what I purchased
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1434950653.598671.jpg

[hkgar]

I have a black head ( and no I am not going to pop it) model 7518-60 and have not had any problem using Pharmed tubing. Granted I use this particular pump for my ATO so it is far from continuous and I still routinely change the tube every 6 months. So I am not a fair judge.

[chem-e]

Interesting thread and glad to see these pumps used by others. I've been using an old Watson marlow pump for years to topoff my tank with kalk.

They're really well made pieces of equipment but definitely pricey if bought new.

[tkeracer619]

Sorry guys I've been really busy prepping for and going through another knee surgery so I have been absent for a bit.

10,000+ hours was from a ColeParmer Rep. Who was surprised I was recommending changing the tube quarterly. They are easy to talk to and will go to lengths to get you the answers you need. Is the tube you are using expired? Unfortunatly I don't have any hands on experience with the performance series tubing. What I know comes from this thread in that regard. I think it would probably be worth it to swap out to a precision tube set. We know they are reliable, tubing is cheep, and readily available. IIRC this tubing has a shelf life of 6 years from manufacture date if kept in a cool dry place. You could also use silicone grease on the tubing to reduce friction but this has been argued. If the bearings are worn that can also cause rapid wear. If the tubing is stretched tight that also adds to it. Just thinking out loud here but you shouldn't be breaking tubes like that, you are the first person to mention this.

I really like the easy load heads but have several standard loads that have passed the test of time. They are cheaper and can be bought new for a reasonable price. If you talk to them about it I bet they will cut you a deal on a new head.

[swk]

Can any part of this be dialed in before the setup goes "live" on my display?

For example, can I get my reactor ph dialed in before I put the unit in service? Just trying to think of ways to lessen the translation once I pull my lm3 dosing pumps

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by swk

Can any part of this be dialed in before the setup goes "live" on my display?

For example, can I get my reactor ph dialed in before I put the unit in service? Just trying to think of ways to lessen the translation once I pull my lm3 dosing pumps

No, not really. Ph is determined by a number of things,
ph of the tank water
flow rate through the reactor
rate of co2 bubbles
pressure (size) of the co2 bubbles.

Ph is only relevant as it is a reflection of the acidity of the water necessary to dissolve the argonite. Flow rate and effluent ALK are the important things to maintain tank ALK.

Here is a link that may be helpful. Not the section on replacing a supplement:

http://reef.diesyst.com/reactor/reactor.html

[swk]

Originally Posted by hkgar

No, not really. Ph is determined by a number of things,
ph of the tank water
flow rate through the reactor
rate of co2 bubbles
pressure (size) of the co2 bubbles.

Ph is only relevant as it is a reflection of the acidity of the water necessary to dissolve the argonite. Flow rate and effluent ALK are the important things to maintain tank ALK.

Here is a link that may be helpful. Not the section on replacing a supplement:

http://reef.diesyst.com/reactor/reactor.html

Ok - so I need to just bite the bullet and change it over? What a great link. Thank you so much. Things have been so stable I'm a bit sketched out on doing this, but I am becoming of the belief that this is the best way of supplementation for sps-centric aquaria.

[EvMiBo]

Does anyone know how loud the SVP Series of Stenner pumps are?

They're designed for continuous work.

edit: finding some info deeper in the thread.

[swk]

Originally Posted by EvMiBo

Does anyone know how loud the SVP Series of Stenner pumps are?

I'm sure somebody has to be using one of Stenner's pumps, how do you like it?

I recently looked at one when I purchased my setup. It was pretty dang loud imo. I said no on that one because it'll be in my stand. If I was lucky enough to have a remote sump area it would have been a no brainer

[EvMiBo]

Darn, I figured it might be loud. There was another person who was using one with his setup, username mntnbighker. I sent him a PM to get his opinion on it. Hoping my 7523-70 keeps chugging along though.

[troynel]

Would this on work?

http://www.coleparmer.com/Category/M...ing_Pumps/4437