Geo's new Nielson/kalkwasser reactor

Hal · 07/03/2006, 07:54 PM

Just curious if anyone has tried it. It got a fairly mediocre review on one online website. Here's the review: 3 stars

3 Well made, but needs design change 06/23/2006 - by Kirk_M from Mandeville, LA US
Bought this and the 612 Calcium reactor. Both are well made units, but, the o-ring seal is tough to achieve. You need to tighten the nylon screws almost to the breaking point to get it to seal. Bad design -- also bad routing of the o-ring grooves on both, as there are deep router scoring marks in what should be a very smooth surface...this is why the O-Ring will not seal. I made a full-surface sealing neoprene (closed cell) gasket for both units, and it fixed the problem. MaxiJet pump burns out easily -- have replaced mine twice so far, after only owning it for 2 months now. They clog easily and need constant maintenance, and, even with that, the impeller jams, and the pump goes kaput.

I was about to buy it, but am now having second thoughts. The O-ring, while troubling, seems to be fixable. The maxi-jet burning out, on the other hand, is a serious flaw.

Hal · 07/04/2006, 07:28 AM

bump

Ereefic · 07/04/2006, 08:37 AM

I've had one running for about 6 months without a problem at all. I don't know if there is a 'newer' model than the one I have, but I have not encountered any problems with any part of it. Works great.

SERVO · 07/04/2006, 08:52 AM

Hal, if you have needed to change the MJ pump multiple times why not switch to another pump manufacture? Try something a little more reliable that isn't likely to fail like a Eheim?

Certainly, Geo decided to use a MJ pump for the set up likely because availability and price. It is easy for you to go out and replace it, but I wouldn't weight this so heavy on your criticism. The O ring, different issue all together. Replacing the pump with the same unit....fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me.

Hal · 07/04/2006, 10:21 AM

I'm not sure if there was a miscommunication. I don't have a reactor yet. The problem was someone else's.

Having said that, I talked with Geo. Bottom line, I'm going to order one this week from him.

It was a little unclear, but it appears that the person who had problems with the pump burning out may have been running the pump 24/7. Geo admits that if you do this, you'll probably only get a month or two out of the IMPELLER. The impeller wears down, but if you replace that, the pump itself should continue to work. In any case, conventional wisdom has always been to run the pump off a timer anyway, activating the pump for a minute 3-4 times a day, so the impeller should be good for several years.

This was the only criticism I've heard of Geo's work, so I take it with a grain of salt. I've read dozens of posts lauding the quality of his stuff.

SERVO · 07/05/2006, 06:58 PM

IMO, I don't think that you will regret your decision. He makes great quality supplies.

Hal · 07/06/2006, 11:36 AM

Well, I ordered it. It should be here next Wed. No worries.

07/03/2006, 07:54 PM	#1
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	Geo's new Nielson/kalkwasser reactor Just curious if anyone has tried it. It got a fairly mediocre review on one online website. Here's the review: 3 stars 3 Well made, but needs design change 06/23/2006 - by Kirk_M from Mandeville, LA US Bought this and the 612 Calcium reactor. Both are well made units, but, the o-ring seal is tough to achieve. You need to tighten the nylon screws almost to the breaking point to get it to seal. Bad design -- also bad routing of the o-ring grooves on both, as there are deep router scoring marks in what should be a very smooth surface...this is why the O-Ring will not seal. I made a full-surface sealing neoprene (closed cell) gasket for both units, and it fixed the problem. MaxiJet pump burns out easily -- have replaced mine twice so far, after only owning it for 2 months now. They clog easily and need constant maintenance, and, even with that, the impeller jams, and the pump goes kaput. I was about to buy it, but am now having second thoughts. The O-ring, while troubling, seems to be fixable. The maxi-jet burning out, on the other hand, is a serious flaw.

07/04/2006, 07:28 AM	#2
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	bump __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL

07/04/2006, 08:37 AM	#3
Ereefic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,821	I've had one running for about 6 months without a problem at all. I don't know if there is a 'newer' model than the one I have, but I have not encountered any problems with any part of it. Works great.

07/04/2006, 08:52 AM	#4
SERVO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 1,305	Hal, if you have needed to change the MJ pump multiple times why not switch to another pump manufacture? Try something a little more reliable that isn't likely to fail like a Eheim? Certainly, Geo decided to use a MJ pump for the set up likely because availability and price. It is easy for you to go out and replace it, but I wouldn't weight this so heavy on your criticism. The O ring, different issue all together. Replacing the pump with the same unit....fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me.

07/04/2006, 10:21 AM	#5
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	I'm not sure if there was a miscommunication. I don't have a reactor yet. The problem was someone else's. Having said that, I talked with Geo. Bottom line, I'm going to order one this week from him. It was a little unclear, but it appears that the person who had problems with the pump burning out may have been running the pump 24/7. Geo admits that if you do this, you'll probably only get a month or two out of the IMPELLER. The impeller wears down, but if you replace that, the pump itself should continue to work. In any case, conventional wisdom has always been to run the pump off a timer anyway, activating the pump for a minute 3-4 times a day, so the impeller should be good for several years. This was the only criticism I've heard of Geo's work, so I take it with a grain of salt. I've read dozens of posts lauding the quality of his stuff.

07/05/2006, 06:58 PM	#6
SERVO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 1,305	IMO, I don't think that you will regret your decision. He makes great quality supplies.

07/06/2006, 11:36 AM	#7
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	Well, I ordered it. It should be here next Wed. No worries.