Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[Adamc1303]

Sorry I see now the pictures are horrible and won't really help. Perhaps someone can diagnose without the pictures.

[tkeracer619]

gonna need better pics and more detailed description. Can you describe exactly how the reactor is setup?

[jimmy n]

Got my two drives and pumps.

Questions on the startup, as I want to make sure they work before I sell them.

Units power up and I can hit the "prime" button getting the pump to turn.

I can hit "cal" and it shows 30 ml.

In the "mode" panel, it shows a flashing V, can seam to switch this. Size is on 14 and hitting the size button brings up a number in the screen but doesn't change the size.

Any advice on how to get started? I searched for a utube video, however they all show the newer digital pumps. have the Masterflex l/s pictured early in the thread. Digital drive.

Thanks,

Jim

[jimmy n]

I should add I don't have the easyload head bracket yet, nor the tubing. Thanks.

[tkeracer619]

You can get hardware to mount the head from ace hardware. It's just some threaded rod.

The actual coleparmer hardware is hardened steel. They are stronger but I don't think it matters the slightest with a single head. It's a standard thread. Let me go try to figure out which one...

Let us know what they say regarding the remote mode.

[tdo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Console-Driv...vip=true&rt=nc
My impulse buy... Did I do ok?

[Dapg8gt]

Originally Posted by tdo

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Console-Driv...vip=true&rt=nc
My impulse buy... Did I do ok?

Dang man that's a super steal good job =).. Your lucky my impulse buys for the tank are usually $250+ lol..

[Dapg8gt]

Originally Posted by jimmy n

I should add I don't have the easyload head bracket yet, nor the tubing. Thanks.

There is a 4 pump mount set on eBay brand new for like $18..


Got mine put together and flow testing it with the l/s 17 tubing..

Here's the compact one with an easy load head. Those who are worried about the motors not being rebuild able they are really affordable and a dime a dozen on eBay new( I forgot the make of them but if anyone is interested I can open up my spare one) identical and in different torque and rpm so you can build a little continuous duty beast if the motor ever fails. Fwiw I got 2x brand new for $200 shipped without and heads. It's super quiet and runs with the 17 tube really well even though they only recommend the silicone version in this size..


And to accompany it my other dual stage overbuilt project.



Thanks tkracer I'm sure I'll have some questions once it's running on the tank. I'm going to wait till I get back from vacation so I have time to fine tune it.. I'll check back in in a few weeks.

[dburt520]

Quick question...

Over the last month or so my tank has been growing well and consuming more and more ALK... I have dropped my PH in my reactor .2 every week and am now down to 6.4 (ARM Extra Coarse Media). I am only running 20ML/min of fluid through the reactor with my Masterflex. Instead of dropping the PH any lower I would like to bump up the flow. Do I need to adjust the PH accordingly, or can I keep the PH at 6.4 and just bump up to say 30 ML/Min? I have alot of room here... Running the CarbonDoser regulator and I have a 5PSI bubble size and only 1 bubble every 10 seconds (the slowest on the regulator). I have been dropping my PH and now it is time to tinker with the other settings on the regulator/masterflex.

The reason im asking is that a slower flow has more contact time thus melting more media... but maybe this is incorrect (hence why I am here to get my questions answered).

Thanks
Dave

[d2mini]

Ya, you can only go so low on the pH so go ahead and increase your flow.
This will cause the pH to rise so you might have to up your C02 as well.

[Mike S]

I think that I'm going to break down and get a peristaltic pump in the near future. I read the recommendations at the beginning of post and there is lots of great info there. Is there key to interpreting the CP model numbers to figure out what the pumps specs are? I looking through eBay and there are an overwhelming number of choices. Thanks

[slief]

Can anybody tell me what Cole Parmer tubing has a 1/4" OD. Most of the tubing discussed here has a 1/4ID and 3/8OD.

I am considering using a Cole Parmer compact drive unit. My only concern is that when used with the LS17 equivalent tubing, the minimum flow rate is 98 mL/Min at the 35 RPM minimum which is on the high side based on my reading. I am going to use this on a Geo 818 Calcium reactor. The LS16 tubing would be more suitable with a minimum flow rate of 28 to max of 160 mL/Min. I'm just not sure if the OD of the LS16 tubing is 1/4".

Any advice on alternate tubing would be great. The head I am looking at supports L/S 13, 14, 15, 16 & L/S 17 tubing.

[Dapg8gt]

Originally Posted by slief

Can anybody tell me what Cole Parmer tubing has a 1/4" OD. Most of the tubing discussed here has a 1/4ID and 3/8OD.

I am considering using a Cole Parmer compact drive unit. My only concern is that when used with the LS17 equivalent tubing, the minimum flow rate is 98 mL/Min at the 35 RPM minimum which is on the high side based on my reading. I am going to use this on a Geo 818 Calcium reactor. The LS16 tubing would be more suitable with a minimum flow rate of 28 to max of 160 mL/Min. I'm just not sure if the OD of the LS16 tubing is 1/4".

Any advice on alternate tubing would be great. The head I am looking at supports L/S 13, 14, 15, 16 & L/S 17 tubing.

Is it the same drive as I have a picture of a few up from this post? If so with the tube inside it it does slow down a bit so it's not truly a 35rpm unit when a load is on it. Fwiw I am using what it says not to being it's the thicker walled Pharmed tubing so I'm sure it would be different if you use a thinner wall tubing in the l/s 17 size. At the lowest speed I was getting about 40 ml/min. Even just rough counting revolutions on a one minute interval was not 30rpm as stated it was more like 20-22 rpm. Both of my units are brand new and both exhibit the same characteristics.

Deep down I think I should probably heed the advice given from Cp about not using the Pharmed l/s 17 ( ordered before I read that part) but the motor doesn't seem to be struggling at all. Fwiw I ran it for 48hrs straight with a load on it at 60ml/min and the motor wasn't even warm to the touch. I may switch out to a smaller od tubing if I notice any noises or odd behavior but for now I'm fairly confident it will be fine. Plus I have another brand new unit on reserve.

Edit just searched Amazon for an equivalent to tkracer's post and found a decent deal I'm going to try out. It's labeled under" tygon tygoprene xl-60 pump tubing, translucent" $17 for 10'. I'm guessing I will have to change it out more often being it's a precision tubing but with the free prime shipping and @ $1.70 a foot I'll give it a try. I'm going to have my rope leak detector set up under the Cole parmer just in case it Springs a leak but I think this maybe another cheap choice for me at this time.

[tkeracer619]

The wall thickness on the precision tubing is 1/16" so any tubing with that thickness should work well.

This is a compatible 1/4" OD tube. LS16 is 1/4" OD
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...5399&catid=864

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by dburt520

Quick question...

ALK... I have dropped my PH in my reactor .2 every week and am now down to 6.4 (ARM Extra Coarse Media).

With extra course I have run it as low as 6.1ph without issue. If your reactor is not running off a probe then adjusting the effluent flow to 30ml/min will cause the reactor ph to rise reducing output. The effect may not be linear but I suspect you could make the change and the reactor output would remain roughly the same.

Glad your system is starting to increase its demand. A high demand tank is a growing tank

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by Mike S

I think that I'm going to break down and get a peristaltic pump in the near future. I read the recommendations at the beginning of post and there is lots of great info there. Is there key to interpreting the CP model numbers to figure out what the pumps specs are? I looking through eBay and there are an overwhelming number of choices. Thanks

There are some common pump models that are suggested in the first couple of posts. Other than that it can really be a crap shoot. If CP has a numbering strategy I haven't figured it out yet. Part numbers can be anything. It is best to ask or call CP themselves. They are usually pretty helpful.

Once you get your setup up and running it will all be worth it.

[Mike S]

Thanks for the response. I'm have some searches set up for the models mentioned earlier in this thread. I've come across a few others including 7520-40 and -50, 7554-90, and 77200-12 but need to dig up their specs. I think the 7520-50 only goes up to 100 rpm.

[slief]

Originally Posted by Dapg8gt

Is it the same drive as I have a picture of a few up from this post? If so with the tube inside it it does slow down a bit so it's not truly a 35rpm unit when a load is on it. Fwiw I am using what it says not to being it's the thicker walled Pharmed tubing so I'm sure it would be different if you use a thinner wall tubing in the l/s 17 size. At the lowest speed I was getting about 40 ml/min. Even just rough counting revolutions on a one minute interval was not 30rpm as stated it was more like 20-22 rpm. Both of my units are brand new and both exhibit the same characteristics.

Deep down I think I should probably heed the advice given from Cp about not using the Pharmed l/s 17 ( ordered before I read that part) but the motor doesn't seem to be struggling at all. Fwiw I ran it for 48hrs straight with a load on it at 60ml/min and the motor wasn't even warm to the touch. I may switch out to a smaller od tubing if I notice any noises or odd behavior but for now I'm fairly confident it will be fine. Plus I have another brand new unit on reserve.

Edit just searched Amazon for an equivalent to tkracer's post and found a decent deal I'm going to try out. It's labeled under" tygon tygoprene xl-60 pump tubing, translucent" $17 for 10'. I'm guessing I will have to change it out more often being it's a precision tubing but with the free prime shipping and @ $1.70 a foot I'll give it a try. I'm going to have my rope leak detector set up under the Cole parmer just in case it Springs a leak but I think this maybe another cheap choice for me at this time.

That's the same pump I was looking at but with a different pump. I ended up buying a better Cole Palmer pump that has the digital controls and 3.5 -200 RPM. It will be better suited for this application. Now all I need is the easy load head and the LS17 tubing. As it turns out US Plastics is out of the tubing. I will probably have to buy a roll of it it instead but I can get that cheap enough.
I still may pick up one of the compact pumps for an alternative to my current ATO dosing pump.

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

The wall thickness on the precision tubing is 1/16" so any tubing with that thickness should work well.

This is a compatible 1/4" OD tube. LS16 is 1/4" OD
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...5399&catid=864

Thank you very much! That may come in handy!

[slief]

I just picked up a roll of the 3/8 OD, 1/4" ID Cole Palmer LS 17 tubing. This is the original Cole Palmer brand tubing made that is similar to the Tygon PharMed stuff. If anybody needs some, let me know. I will sell it for $2.50 a foot which is much cheaper than the US Plastics cost.

I have about 40' that I will be selling. If you are interested, send me a PM.

[Tcook]

I just got my 7553-50 pump with 7518-00 head running tonight. It is not digital and has a dial from 0-10. Running at 2 on the dial it puts out 80 ml/min. At 1 on the dial the unit stops and it is stop and go at 1.75 or so which puts out 20 ml/min. This is with LS 17 tubing. Does anyone know, or tried, to fit LS 16 or LS 25 onto those 1/4 inch barbs listed on the first page of this post?

[zachts]

Originally Posted by Tcook

I just got my 7553-50 pump with 7518-00 head running tonight. It is not digital and has a dial from 0-10. Running at 2 on the dial it puts out 80 ml/min. At 1 on the dial the unit stops and it is stop and go at 1.75 or so which puts out 20 ml/min. This is with LS 17 tubing. Does anyone know, or tried, to fit LS 16 or LS 25 onto those 1/4 inch barbs listed on the first page of this post?

LS16 needs 1/8" barbs also available from US Plastics.

[Tcook]

rgr that

[zachts]

Originally Posted by Tcook

rgr that

If you know the motor RPM you can figure the flow rate ranges you'll get with the different tubing. Seeing your results with LS17 I think the LS 16 will get you with in the range you need but it never hurts to double check, tubing and fittings start to add up after a while.......

[tkeracer619]

Taken from this link

These numbers are for triple roller heads.

How do you use this to tell your flow range?

Take the number stated in the row for "Flow range with 6 to 600rpm drive" and divide that by 6. That is how many ml/min you will get per rpm. Take that number and multiply it by the lowest speed your drive goes and the highest. That is your setups flow range per given tube.

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by Tcook

Running at 2 on the dial it puts out 80 ml/min. At 1 on the dial the unit stops and it is stop and go at 1.75 or so which puts out 20 ml/min. This is with LS 17 tubing.

With ls16 you would be at 22.5ml/min on a setting of 2.