CalcFeeder Basic/Pro - latest generation calcium reactor

[lionfish300]

Originally Posted by biecacka

I fell off this thread for awhile, what is everyone's thoughts on these units? Like them, worth the hype, worth the money? Ease of set up an operation.

Corey

Corey I would wait another year or so till all the problems iron out. The reason I bought it because you don't need a Ph probe and suppose to be set up and forget about it. Six months latter and I am still using my dosing system

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by biecacka

I fell off this thread for awhile, what is everyone's thoughts on these units? Like them, worth the hype, worth the money? Ease of set up an operation.

Corey

Despite a few bumps from having one of the first released reactors I think it's great. Definitely worth the money and very easy to use. Simpler than a traditional reactor.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by lionfish300

Corey I would wait another year or so till all the problems iron out. The reason I bought it because you don't need a Ph probe and suppose to be set up and forget about it. Six months latter and I am still using my dosing system

I'm surprised you're still dosing. What issue are you still having?

[mrtint]

Originally Posted by robbous

This is what I'm currently using

I find that hard to believe. I use the exact same one. You have more control over bubble count and size of bubble that any other regulator. You tried putting the low end size of regulator higher. Maybe 6psi for a larger bubble? I run min at 3psi on low side and two bubbles per second
It takes a few cycles to fill chamber after startup (2 resets) but once full it has plenty of C02 to maintain
The only other thing is did you damage the low end side of regulator when hooking to C02 tank?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by robbous

Anyone else here own the AC4 reactor and if so which regulator are you using ? Apparently my top-of-the-line regulator does not pump out enough CO2 gas to fill mixing chamber in time before getting error message.

You can turn the error off on initial fill. You can also open up the co2 much faster for the initial fill, then dial it back. Finally, you can unplug the power and plug it back in after it fills some to reset the error. Do that as many times as needed. Once you have enough co2 to reach the sensor you can still have it fairly open since the solenoid will cut off the supply. Of course it's better to keep it as low as possible.

[wishntoboutside]

I got a replacement lid as I cracked a spot tightening it. So far after multiple attempts I can not get the lid to stop leaking when it builds up pressure. I first did a mix of hex and thumb screws. it leaked although it seemed tight. I removed all hex screws and put back on all thumb screws ( 20 of them on the AC4) it still leaked. Each time I did use silicone lube to make sure that that it would seal good as well. I will not ever buy any products with plastic screws going forward I will say that for the record. looking for any suggestions at this point as this unit is getting closer and closer to the trash can.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by wishntoboutside

I got a replacement lid as I cracked a spot tightening it. So far after multiple attempts I can not get the lid to stop leaking when it builds up pressure. I first did a mix of hex and thumb screws. it leaked although it seemed tight. I removed all hex screws and put back on all thumb screws ( 20 of them on the AC4) it still leaked. Each time I did use silicone lube to make sure that that it would seal good as well. I will not ever buy any products with plastic screws going forward I will say that for the record. looking for any suggestions at this point as this unit is getting closer and closer to the trash can.

Don't add silicone. The circular gasket should be enough. Adding silicone only causes things to slide around.

Tighten the screws opposite sides. One, then the opposite side, another, then its opposite side. Once all are as tight as you can get them, use a thin towel over the head and tighten them some more. I found my fingers scratched up raw from tightening but putting a towel over the head allowed me to get it tighter.

Once you start up the pump and you see a leak, tighten that head and the opposite one until the leak stops.

[wishntoboutside]

Originally Posted by Johnseye

Don't add silicone. The circular gasket should be enough. Adding silicone only causes things to slide around.

Tighten the screws opposite sides. One, then the opposite side, another, then its opposite side. Once all are as tight as you can get them, use a thin towel over the head and tighten them some more. I found my fingers scratched up raw from tightening but putting a towel over the head allowed me to get it tighter.

Once you start up the pump and you see a leak, tighten that head and the opposite one until the leak stops.

do not add silicone. interesting. I was tightening things as you would put a tire on a car. tighten them in a star like pattern. I got blisters again on the hand. I did find the problem and lets just say it was not the lid that was leaking. I sent a video to them to review and awaiting a response.

[Ted_C]

I have to say - I am beyond disappointed in Deepwater Aquatics and their handling of my order.

I ordered an AC4 and a degassing chamber on Jun 3rd through my LFS - which orders from DA all the time. Rest assured - that order went over to DA the following Monday. I put $500 down as good faith.

I talked to the LFS last week and according to DA - the order was sitting in customs and I should have it this week - so I paid off the balance of what I owed since DA was charging the LFS (and that's a considerable chunk of change to be fronting by a small brick and mortar store). This week comes and goes and no Calcium reactor. According to the LFS - DA lost some sales people last week and no one ever replied back to the repeated email inquiries. DA tried to pawn off a smaller calcium reactor they had in their inventory but the LFS didn't go for it.

So while I always champion supporting the brick and mortar stores - do yourself a favor and order directly from the Pacific Sun. Until DA get's their act together, they are an unreliable avenue to pursue for Pacific Sun products.

[PacSun Service]

@wishntoboutside - You used hex screws on Media chamber and tighten them too much. This screws should be used on mixing chamber only as there is needed better seal to not allow air to be sucked inside this chamber.
Media chamber have lower pressure and not need to use hex screws for it.
You have leakage between media chamber tube and top lid mounting acrylic ring.
When You used hex screws and thumb screws mixed and hex was tighten hard but thumb screws not there was tension on this ring and glue between tube and ring cracked - this is reason why You have leakage now.
To find solution of this problem please contact with us directly at service@pacific-sun.eu.

[gcarroll]

Originally Posted by PacSun Service

@wishntoboutside - You used hex screws on Media chamber and tighten them too much. This screws should be used on mixing chamber only as there is needed better seal to not allow air to be sucked inside this chamber.

Media chamber have lower pressure and not need to use hex screws for it.

You have leakage between media chamber tube and top lid mounting acrylic ring.

When You used hex screws and thumb screws mixed and hex was tighten hard but thumb screws not there was tension on this ring and glue between tube and ring cracked - this is reason why You have leakage now.

To find solution of this problem please contact with us directly at service@pacific-sun.eu.

IMO, there is a problem with the bond if it leaks at a seam. If bonded properly, an acrylic bond will not be compromised at the seam. If so we would see these issues in many other reactors with thumbscrews. Have you had any other reports of leakage?

[PacSun Service]

@gcarroll - We have only one case when chamber lid cracked by too much tighten screws. We use thumb screws in media chamber because there is no need to tight this chamber that much - there is no underpressure which could case sucking air inside Calc feeder.
We send hex head screws to wishntoboutside for mixing chamber to be sure that no air can get to this chamber (when it would be tighten by hex head screws) as it could have influence on Calc feeder work.
We use the same way of lid mounting in all our products like meria reactors and degassing chambers and we have no reports from other customers that lid broke because of too much tight thumb screws. This is separate case.

Best regards

Pacific Sun Service.

[gcarroll]

Originally Posted by PacSun Service

@gcarroll - We have only one case when chamber lid cracked by too much tighten screws. We use thumb screws in media chamber because there is no need to tight this chamber that much - there is no underpressure which could case sucking air inside Calc feeder.
We send hex head screws to wishntoboutside for mixing chamber to be sure that no air can get to this chamber (when it would be tighten by hex head screws) as it could have influence on Calc feeder work.
We use the same way of lid mounting in all our products like meria reactors and degassing chambers and we have no reports from other customers that lid broke because of too much tight thumb screws. This is separate case.

Best regards

Pacific Sun Service.

The lid did not break. The acrylic seam failed. You may think that just because your other products are made that way, that means there isn't a problem. I don't know that I would discount these issues I were running your company. This is why I asked if you have had any other reported leaks. I wanted to know if you have had this issue before.

All I am saying is that that bond should not fail at the glued seam unless there is an improper bond. A good acrylic bond is as strong as a fresh piece of acrylic. For the size of that reactor, you should consider thicker material and possibly even hot air welding.

If your policy is to blame the customer when they have a problem, what is the warranty on the product. I this thread I have read that you don't cover the pump. You don't cover leaks in the acrylic. When faulty hoses sprayed on someone's controller, you wouldn't replace the controller. What is it that you do cover with your warranty?

[gcarroll]

@PacSun Service
Here is the way a rival high end calcium reactor manufacturer shows their warranty.

[PacSun Service]

@gcarroll - We never refused ANY warranty to customer if there was not obviously damage caused by customer (like lamp droped in to tank, or broken acrylic element when device was droped by customer on concrete floor).

Even more we replace/repair for free devices which in light on warranty law don't have to do it. Please ask each user on this thread that we ever refused to help to repair/replace their devices.
We have replaced whole damaged in transport Calc feeder to wishntoboutside on our own cost as he not checked package with courier when it was delivered to him and courier company refused our warranty claim for this shipping. We have replaced damaged impeller of Aquabee pump (where ONLY way to damage it is sucking by pump piece of media and blocking impeller). We had issue with tubings in few first dosing pumps for Calc feeders - we have repalced all tubings to any customer which ask for it even if their tubing was not damaged and we have also replaced damaged controlers if water from damaged tubing get inside controller.

We allways stay behind our products and not leave ANY customer without help even warranty on his device is end already. We also had cases when customers of other brands asked us for help with configuration of their devices - we not refused to help as we are not only aquaristic equipment producers but also aquarists and when we can help, we do it with pleasure.

Regarding damaged seam between acrylic lid and tube in media chamber - as I told before we use the same way of connections in ALL our acrylic equipment, we have made tousands of acrylic equipment (we produce also equipment for other aquaristic brand) and have no problem with this.

There is silicone o-ring washer between lid and ring on top of chamber. When You tight screws too much o-ring works as lever - one side of lid is tighten by screws and other goes up. It make much tension on conncted elements and seal broke. If All screws would be the same (client mixed hex head screws and thumb screws on one lid) this would not happen. But there was one screw tighten till max by key and other was loose - tighten only by fingers.

If there is any customer which need help with his equipment please send mail at service@pacific-sun.eu - it would allow us to help us faster than here on forum.

Best regards
Pacific Sun Service

[gcarroll]

Wow, so are you really going to make me go through all 54 pages of this thread to point out all the contradictions in your last post? I have never in all my years seen a company have so many excuses. Before this thread, I was seriously considering tour LED lights for my build. But after seeing the way you handle issues with your products...

[HippieSmell]

I have had a few issues, some of which were likely my fault. But, I will say PacSun has been helpful. They've sent new parts and performed firmware updates, free of charge. My setup has been running without a hitch for a few weeks now, after having a couple issues.

[ksed]

After reading this thread I definitely will not purchase a PacificSun product. I had a similar issue with a Geo calcium reactor and they replaced it free of charge, they paid for all shipping costs.

[wishntoboutside]

where to start.... yes my reactor is down, broken and unusable once again. Perhaps it could have been my fault but then again I was never instructed where to put the hex screws and even mentioned to Thomasz, service guy, that I only got 10 and not 20 for my AC4 if he would of replied this could have prevented it. Instead every time something goes wrong you chose immediately to blame your customer, some of this was even done via insults like all of us do not know what we are doing.
You constantly keep bringing up the Fed x damage issue. I notified you with in 10 minutes of receiving the package. As I have told you again and again until I am blue in the face. Here in America the fed x driver delivers packages and pretty much runs to there van to make deliveries as they work very hard and do not have time to mingle. your package came bubble wrapped so it was hard to see I rip in the box until I removed all of it. All of us who have ordered product from you know that removing the bubble wrap is more of a task and not easily done as you do a good job trying to protect you products. Unfortunately it still came damaged. So I get blamed for not notifying you immediately then after this I get blamed for not giving you any pictures. If I recall you posted my pictures of it earlier in this thread. You also keep telling me that you have sold thousands of these products.. well I feel this is untrue. I have searched all over the web for vendors that carry your product. I believe I found coral wonders in EU selling it and not others. Yes Deepwater Aquatics carries it and they are also selling them under salty supply on ebay. I do not see them at BRS, Premium Aquatics, Aquarium Specialty, Marine Depot, Saltwater Aquarium or any other large on line company. If your product was sold thru other channels or companies I would be able to find out more about it. Most hits are all under ************. Yet you continue to tell me you have sold thousands of these and my problems are unique.
Is it odd that my original reactor that was damaged in shipping leaked at the bottom seam and now my replacement leaks at the top? I could be wrong but both of these issues deal with acrylic bonding and glue normally when this is done this joint becomes stronger via chemical bonding with the glue.
Is it standard practice to insult or put blame on your customers when issue arrive? Not once did anyone say hmm maybe something went wrong to cause the impeller to go bad. These do run hot and make the impellers soft. No instant blame instead. There is a plastic screen in place above the bio balls that should prevent this especially when using large media and the media still new and not all broken down yet. There are also known issues with these pumps and Deltec reactors as I addressed this to you even prior to my purchase and asked for unions if I needed to replace it. Yes you did provide me the unions. Thank you. I should have made of video of the impeller broken and taken everything apart to prove it. my mistake.
Prior to my going to NY for Reefapoolza I was advised by Deepwater Aquatics that they would help me with this issue. Now after a few emails and calls all I here is crickets on the other side. After 2 to 3 weeks I had to reach Thomas for the lid since Deepwater did not deliver then parts came after I had to ask for an update. I put the new lid on the reactor and the seam of the top of my reactor leaked. Not once have I been offered a resolution from you just insults so instead of this I had to try to take matters in my own hands.
Each time something goes wrong with this unit we have to wait, send another email for an update for parts and such. Yes you do support your products but the time and aggravation that we all go thru to get this makes it not worth it at the end of the day.
When I first ordered this product I was excited, proud and happy to have the product as it was something new and the concept of it was very unique. Now for me I will say this is my worst every aquarium purchase that I have every bought in my 20 plus years of having aquariums. I am not new to calcium reactors as I have set up Korillan, Aquamax, Knop, Deltec and perhaps a few others when I had a service company. I really should not have all of these problems.
With all said and done you have still not offered any type of resolution to me. This is why I am trying to resolve it other ways. I have sent you emails and these turn into arguments like with ones significant others, and things still not being resolved.
I am happy that some are having good success with your product as they should for the money spent. Others I know thru Via pms on sites are still having issues on set up, instructions and dependability.

Here is a video of the leak for those that want to view it. I was first told that you were unable to view it but Thomasz could. I had some help with this so it is now a youtube video. hopefully this will make it easier to review.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h19I5f...ature=youtu.be

I am back to my Bubble Magus dosing set up, which has never let me down as of yet just not the direction I wanted to take on my large aquarium.

[Przemek_PacSun]

I feel very uncomfortable replying in posts like that but I know that few things need to be explained (short as it possible).
As our service informed - we never refused any technical support or help even for Customers which bought our products 8 years ago.
Please don't compare possibility to fix/repair/resend parcel by your national manufacturer to situation where we are located in Poland (EU) and Customer bought product directly from us(and live in the USA for example).
If that happened in EU when we can use cheap shipping cost or Customer would have possibility to deliver product to us by himself - we would be able to fix it without any cost(drinking coffee with him during that repair) or simply replace it. Shipping cost in Poland or EU cost up to 25-30 euro - the same reactor shipped to USA and back(for repair on our cost - will be probably about 700 USD).
We don't blame anybody for anything - a specially for hidden defects, but we are not talking there about hidden defects in our calcium reactor. We talk about physical damage. If it would be pipe broken(not glued points) - it would be ok? Or somebody could say - you used "bad" acrylic pipe because it's broken - good pipe have the same strength like glued parts.. ?
About first damage - we simply want to explaining that something which is working in USA(like not checking parcels during delivery) is simply not accepted by the same company(Fedex) in Europe. They require proof of delivery damaged products - in other way they refuse any claims and wash the hands from any responsibility.
We replaced that reactor once. At no cost for Customer - we paid for new reactor, shipping new one to him(as I remember about 300USD) and we arranged picking up his broken one(Fedex charged us for 430 USD after delivery to us).
We didn't make any money on this deal after that - because original price was also decreased due pre-order condition (and probably Customer decided to order it directly from us also because price was lower about 20% than on regular sale).
About staying behind our products and handling issues.
It's not true that we not offered any solution for that situation.
We offered Deepwater(our USA partner) that with their next shipment we will send FREE OF CHARGE new calcium reactor for Richard. It can be very easy checked now by Richard simply asking them about that - it will be easy to verify that we are lying or not.
Instead of that - we got PayPal claim(even when I informed in my last email to Richard about that offer - with information that I regret that he chooses that way not another).
I'm sorry - we can't pay again for new reactor, new shipping and shipping back.
We wanted to use aircargo shipping to DW which could arrange domestic forwarder for delivery to Richard. Richard exactly know who was a person in DW who talk with him about that - because the same person asked me for possibility founding a win-win solution in that case.
Shipping reactor to DW could give us possibility saving next few hundred of $. We would have to pay only for new product(pay - mean production cost) - and old one could be used (after repair/glueing) by DW as demo etc.
That offer wasn't accepted(by not known by me reason).
Thats how this case really look. I feel very bad that we need to discuss publicly about all that things.
Im firstly aquarist - secondly person working in Pacific Sun . Im able to put my foots in Customer shoes. From the beginning we tried to do everything as possible(remember about distance between Customer and our factory).
I regret reading posts that somebody is disappointed from Pacific Sun products or he will never buy them because only we(people working in PS) know how much hear we put in everything what we are doing.
If offer placed by us(by DW which know Richard well) replacing reactor for free was bad and allow to say that Pacific Sun don't care about their Customers and or simply reassume that we are not properly handling issues reported by Customers - I don't know what I can say more.
I can only apologize disappointed Customers which had any issues with our products - which of course shouldn't happened. We work very hard every day on improving our products, manuals etc. but I'm sure and I trust our service team - that even if something is wrong - nobody will left work earlier than something will be fixed - Customer will be supported by Team Viewer or by the phone.
All of us are strongly involved in everything what we do - and that kinds of posts from disappointed Customers damage our reputation.
Again - I'm sorry that we talk about that publicly, I hoped that everything will be fixed and both sides will be satisfied from offered solutions.
Unfortunately it's not happened.
Our offer is still valid, we can deliver new reactor to Richard in cooperation with our USA partner.

Sincerely,
Przemyslaw Cybulski

[Greg 45]

What a crock about not offering to fix your issues.
I had 3 of you 4 unit lamps that you ran me over the coal with
A song a dance way to much drama
No I haven't gone away.
I sold the lamp for $1.00 to some one on another board.
You didn't have a issue fixing it for that person.
For once gcarrol is correct
Aquarium engineering makes top notch products.
I own plenty of his equipment with out failure.
Please stop taking advantage of customers
I lost over $9000.00 dollars
I also called the BBB on you guys
Hope this helps others .
I am shure this will be deleted .

[gcarroll]

Originally Posted by Greg 45

What a crock about not offering to fix your issues.

I had 3 of you 4 unit lamps that you ran me over the coal with

A song a dance way to much drama

No I haven't gone away.

I sold the lamp for $1.00 to some one on another board.

You didn't have a issue fixing it for that person.

For once gcarrol is correct

Aquarium engineering makes top notch products.

I own plenty of his equipment with out failure.

Please stop taking advantage of customers

I lost over $9000.00 dollars

I also called the BBB on you guys

Hope this helps others .

I am shure this will be deleted .

That is quite the story!

[thirst]

I was thinking about going to buy one of these but I guess I'll stick w my undersized reactor for now



That's under your old tank wishingtobe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ksed]

I briefly read that post, way to long of a read. From glancing over PacificSun post, in short form. Because shipping from EU to US is so expensive, therefore if you receive a faulty or damaged product your out of luck?

[Przemek_PacSun]

When parcel arrive we ask Customers for checkin it without any delay. If it's damaged - we ask for photos of product and external package.
If there is still driver(shipper) - he should notice on his mobile devoice(or in proof of delivery) that product arrived damaged.
If driver gone - we ask for calling shipping company(usually phone number is on shipping documents - 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 ) and by the phone confirm them that product arrived damaged. That all.
That is required from us by Fedex office and thats how its working I'm whole EU.
We never left Customer with product damaged during shipment.
When parcel is checked and damage is confirmed with shipper we are sending new product. Thats how it's working in international transports.

But its very big problem for us(to start claim against shipper - because we prepare packages best as possible) when parcel is not checked - and Customer is for example going to holidays and open it three weeks later.
In that case we can't do anything.
That's why we suggest ordering products from national distributors - even if something will happen during transport they know exactly local rules and can handle it properly(because local Fedex office can't have any regulations in terms&conditions which require parcel checking if its not a normal rule etc.)

Regards

Przemek