Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[zachts]

Originally Posted by slief

The flow rates are decent. Assuming the pump can run at a low enough RPM, the flow rates of that tubing should be fine. I think that the LS24 is odd size tubing. I am not sure what the ID or OD is of that and what you would need to convert that to the typical 1/4 tubing that most of us use on our reactors. The LS17 matches up nicely to 1/4" semi flexible tubing like the stuff used on RODI filters.

Also, I'd say the air for flow rates would be lower than you are expecting. I'm running at 25 ml/min on my 650 gallon system. I'd say typical flow rates would be between 20ml/min and 50ml/min but that will depend largely on calcium uptake and reactor pH.

LS 24 also uses 1/4" hose barb fittings. The outer diameter is thicker if memory serves correctly so you have to buy the real stuff from CP as you won't find the correct outer diameter in generic tubing. The cost of finding the stock tubing would be the only draw back, flow rates between 24 and 17 should be comparable.

[slief]

Originally Posted by zachts

LS 24 also uses 1/4" hose barb fittings. The outer diameter is thicker if memory serves correctly so you have to buy the real stuff from CP as you won't find the correct outer diameter in generic tubing. The cost of finding the stock tubing would be the only draw back, flow rates between 24 and 17 should be comparable.

Great to know.

[africangrey]

Thanks for the input, the 7423-60 I won from ebay has 72200-52 head attached, paid $430, don't want to spend another $100 for a easy load head if I can help it.

I will search the ID of L/S 24 and see if it can accept a 1/4" john guest valve

[africangrey]

Ok I just found out the ID of L/S 24 is 1/4" or 6.4mm, and the same ID for L/S17, would this be an easy conversion.

[Bpb]

Well I don't even have a calcium reactor, but I came across this masterflex pump at a price I couldn't refuse. I haven't been able to find much info on it, but it's adjustable via the knob, it works, and was used by a reefer who marked where he liked his effluent. Anyone familiar with this model? It's the 77120-62. Is it any use as a carx pump?

[hkgar]

I have not used my Ca reactor since moving up from my 90 to my current 180. I lost all my coral due to a very stupid mistake. I am just resatrting my SPS and currently dose 2 part - but I have been dosing about 30 ml of ALK daily but no calcium.

My calcium need is very little as I do AWC and the Ca of the replacement water is enough to make up virtual all of my tank's usage.

Now my reactor question. If I start up the reactor (not yet, I don't think my current usage warrants it) how would I prevent calcium raising while maintaining a constant ALK

PS I have two Cole Parmer pumps and used that system to perfection with my 90.

[zachts]

Originally Posted by africangrey

Ok I just found out the ID of L/S 24 is 1/4" or 6.4mm, and the same ID for L/S17, would this be an easy conversion.

same exact fittings, different pump heads are required for the 24 vs. the 17. that's really the only difference we need to be concerned with for CA reactor use.

[machodik]

Well, I scrap the idea using jebao dosing pump and use my Watson mallow to do the job.

I have a questions to ask you guys , I have already 3 occasion that my LS17 hose break and leak salt water of which i am worry it will damaged the pump head then. Although I have change constant on regular basis Of about a month or so to change new portion for avoiding friction caused breakage on the hose wall but it sometimes happens when I was not around .

I wonder any guys also has this incidence like mine ?

[hkgar]

Do you know what type of LS17 tubing you are using? The best to use is Phar-Med. At least that is what I use. Your tubing may becoming brittle.

[machodik]

I been using phar-med tubing too but sometime it breaks while I was traveling and it does flooded my cabinet and I have construct a system using my old air condition auto draining devices to drain the water back to my sump and it works well. Here is the photos ;







The only concern I have right now is that any salt water get into the pumps heads will eventually causing wear and tear in due time , I wonder how you guys manage to cleaned your pump heads in this kind of event like this ? I understand mostly use Cole Palmer pumps but I believed the pumps head of Watson - Mallow and Cole Palmer should have almost the same structures and parts?

Cheers,


MD

[zachts]

Originally Posted by machodik

I been using phar-med tubing too but sometime it breaks while I was traveling and it does flooded my cabinet and I have construct a system using my old air condition auto draining devices to drain the water back to my sump and it works well. Here is the photos ;







The only concern I have right now is that any salt water get into the pumps heads will eventually causing wear and tear in due time , I wonder how you guys manage to cleaned your pump heads in this kind of event like this ? I understand mostly use Cole Palmer pumps but I believed the pumps head of Watson - Mallow and Cole Palmer should have almost the same structures and parts?

Cheers,


MD

Can't really see in the pics but it kind of looks like silicone tubing? and more than one type based on color in the somewhat blurry photos the back tube on the lower pump kind of looks like pharmed but the upper pump is silicone from the pic and not well suited for long duty. it has a very short life span. the pharmed mentioned is more of a yellow color and not see thru. (pharmed is a brand name as well and they also make silicone tubes among others) also Norprene is equally good and this is all I use in my pumps (the tan food grade not the black industrial version though I don't really think there would be a problem using the black version for a reef tank). I'd look for a different tube and try that, but even the good tubing can be broken easily if the pump head is not set up right, worn, or over tightened etc........

[deleau]

I am wanting to set up a Ca reactor, since Kalk in the ATO is starting to not be sufficient. My problem is that my tank is a peninsula in my office entryway. Right now my sump, ATO, & GFO reactor are all under the stand. I have my Apex and electronics on a platform next to the tank underneath the stairs.

I have the ability to set up a counter/fish station in a supply office / breakroom. The problem is that I would have to run conduit through the wall and under the stairwell for a total travel of about 12'. Assuming that I set up the reactor and pump in that office on a counter, would these pumps be able to push water that far? The counter would be higher than the sump, but I'm worried about the distance. (If it did work, I'd probably move the GFO & ATO to that counter as well.)

Thoughts?

[herring_fish]

I have 1/4 inch tubing that runs from the garage to the living room which is about 50 feet away. It us all gravity fed so I am not comparing the exact same think but it should be no problem. The up hill part of my system is a result of a peristaltic pump so the volume is the same. If you pump water, it should work.












i HAVE 1/4"

[deleau]

Originally Posted by herring_fish

I have 1/4 inch tubing that runs from the garage to the living room which is about 50 feet away. It us all gravity fed so I am not comparing the exact same think but it should be no problem. The up hill part of my system is a result of a peristaltic pump so the volume is the same. If you pump water, it should work.
i HAVE 1/4"

Good to know. Thanks.

I'll be giving this a try....as soon as I can source a Masterflex at a reasonable price.

[Bpb]

Originally Posted by Bpb

Well I don't even have a calcium reactor, but I came across this masterflex pump at a price I couldn't refuse. I haven't been able to find much info on it, but it's adjustable via the knob, it works, and was used by a reefer who marked where he liked his effluent. Anyone familiar with this model? It's the 77120-62. Is it any use as a carx pump?

Bump...any feedback on this model? Mostly curious if anyone has used this particular one

[Boa1277]

That's a very old model probably uses a brush style motor. These pumps are made for commercial duty so as long as you mantain unit ie change brushes and take care of pump head I am sure it will work just fine, however with that being said there are much quieter and easier loading MasterFlex pumps on the market so if noise is a concern or ease of use you may consider upgrading. Good luck.

[yifan917]

Has anyone tried this unit on the reactor outlet?
http://www.grotech-aquarientechnik.d...operation.html

[slief]

Originally Posted by Bpb

Bump...any feedback on this model? Mostly curious if anyone has used this particular one

It's a very small unit with a much smaller motor and not ideal for continuous CaRx duties. More suitable for ATO use IMO. I'd pass unless you want to use it for an ATO pump.

[swk]

There's a new (at least to me) kamoer peri pump that's advertised for continuous duty calrx use. New it's about 300. Wondering if anyone out there has used one?

[gw11ucb]

Has anyone try this pump? Cole-Parmer Masterflex Computerized Pump Drive model # 900-1255. How loud is it?

[swk]

So I have a question about tuning with the masterflex pumps

Am I only the only person that adjusts a calrx apparently backwards? I swear if my supply is a little less than tank demand, if I increase my effluent by 5-10 ml/min, my numbers go up. Everywhere I read that you should decrease effluent to increase contact time and therefore increase alk?

[Aqualund]

Ive found the best results by setting the effluent to achieve my desired calcium level, and then adjusting the ph in the reactor to change alkalinity.

[Jlentz]

I'm trying to get everything finished up with this and is anyone using a C1502 with this method? I'm trying to figure out how to install a ph probe in the lid without getting rid of the lid output port.

I'm also wondering if the blue in/out ports should be, and can be replaced with John guest fittings or are the blue ones good to go?

[hkgar]

I have a 1502 and on my lid there is a port for the PH probe. I believe it it an upgrade lid though.

[swk]

So, in addition to the 2 geos that I have, I also purchased a second hand lifereef LCR-1. Anyone running one of these and have any tips? Anyone use both this and the geo and have an opinion as to which performed better?

Thanks!