CalcFeeder Basic/Pro - latest generation calcium reactor

[Przemek_PacSun]

@Mike
You can ask them for availability of that controllers.

@HippieSmell
It's hard to say - you can simply put end of tubings(coming from co2/regulator) under the water and check how gas flows from it.

[HippieSmell]

Originally Posted by Przemek_PacSun

@HippieSmell
It's hard to say - you can simply put end of tubings(coming from co2/regulator) under the water and check how gas flows from it.

The reason I ask is because I may get a flow meter instead of a needle valve. But, the flow meters have a limited usable range, measured in ml/min. I'm unsure how to convert 2-4 bubbles per second into ml/minute.

[lionfish300]

Who have their up and running?

[Johnseye]

Over the holidays I finally got my new Pacific Sun Calcfeeder AC2 Pro up and running. This is my first calcium reactor so I have been learning how calcium reactors work in general. I have been dosing calcium and alk for years, and more recently mag as well. With this new tank my dosing requirements have been very high. I have been dosing about 300ml of alk per day using BRS sodium bicarbonate. A little less calcium and for the first time having to dose magnesium. It's possible these increased requirements are partially due to switching from Red Sea Pro salt to Tropic Marin (regular). I do like how much cleaner the Tropic Marin salt is, but having to dose more is an added cost and effort.

So I looked at several different reactors before deciding on the Pacific Sun. I looked at various used models as well as the Geo and Dastaco. I liked what I had read and heard about the Dastaco so was leaning towards that until I found out that Pacific Sun was going to release a new reactor based on the same principle. This reactor doesn't use PH as it's primary method for dissolving the media, but instead co2 level in a chamber. I researched Pacific Sun's reputation in the hobby as I had never purchased a product from them, and found no reason not to. I was concerned about buying a product so early in its life cycle, as well as getting support internationally, but after some email exchanges with Pacific Sun's President, Przemysław Cybulski, I decided to make the purchase. Przemek has been very communicative from the pre-sale until now, and I expect in the future. This goes a long way for me when making a purchase. It shows me he is personally behind his products.

I finally got around to setting everything up with some spare time over the holidays. First I had to get the regulator working and had never used a co2 reg before. I learned that the needle valve is very sensitive and needs to be opened quite a bit before any gas comes out. I don't have a bubble chamber so I just stick the end tube in a glass of water to count the bubbles. Right now I have it set for about 5 bubbles per second.



I was a pre-order and so received the degassing chamber for free. The degassing chamber is critical for me as low PH is a concern. I placed the order in October and received the reactor in early December. I had expected the wait so no concern. It gave me time to find a regulator and a local co2 distributor. The packaging was excellent and since it was an international shipment much appreciated. The entire box itself was wrapped in bubbles and inside there was plenty of packing material not to mention everything was wrapped in cellophane.



Here's a picture of the controller so you can get a look at the interfaces. It's a solid build, made of metal except for the attached pump.







Here are some of the accessories. Some tubing, holders for the tubing into the sump which is a nice add on, and the solenoid valve.





Setup was fairly easy. As this was my first calcium reactor I expected a learning curve. My only wish is that the instructions were a little clearer. I first needed to determine which tubes went where. There were some pictures in the instructions and I was able to figure out the rest. Once I got the tubing correct I filled up the reactors with media. Based on some research I went with Two Little Fishies Reborn as well as Remag media. Then I filled up the canisters with water, closed them up and started the Aquabee re-circulation pump. The Aquabee pump is extremely quiet.

The next part for me was a little confusing but after reaching out to Przemysław he quickly cleared it up and it made perfect sense. When you first turn on the controller the solenoid valve will open. You have a certain amount of time for the co2 to flow into the co2 chamber and if your co2 isn't flowing fast enough to push the water level down below the sensor, the controller will throw an error. To first get started either turn up your co2 flow or unplug, and plug back the controller until there is enough gas to fill the chamber down to the eye. Once the co2 chamber has enough gas no error is thrown and the reactor will begin to work. I set my effluent level to about 145ml per hour and am changing it as needed to match the tank's requirements.

[yifan917]

Looking nice! Can't wait to receive mine.

[TheReefKeeper]

Originally Posted by Johnseye

I was a pre-order and so received the degassing chamber for free.

So When did u have to Order to get the free Degassing chamber my order was basically the same timeline as you.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by TheReefKeeper

So When did u have to Order to get the free Degassing chamber my order was basically the same timeline as you.

It was posted on their website at the time. I began discussions about the order in September and was provided a quote with degassing chamber then. I didn't actually pull the trigger until Oct.

[gus6464]

Originally Posted by Johnseye

It was posted on their website at the time. I began discussions about the order in September and was provided a quote with degassing chamber then. I didn't actually pull the trigger until Oct.

When you say the unit goes by measuring the co2 in the chamber instead of pH what does PacSun exactly mean by that? Did the reactor come with a co2 measurement unit that is installed in the chamber?

The reason I ask is because co2 and ph in the water column are directly related. Does the brain unit function based on the actual amount of co2 present in the water column?

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by gus6464

When you say the unit goes by measuring the co2 in the chamber instead of pH what does PacSun exactly mean by that? Did the reactor come with a co2 measurement unit that is installed in the chamber?

The reason I ask is because co2 and ph in the water column are directly related. Does the brain unit function based on the actual amount of co2 present in the water column?

This reactor uses an optical sensor (4 active photo LEDs) to determine the co2 level in the gas chamber (the cylinder with the balls). The sensor is attached to the side of the gas chamber and is plugged into the controller. I don't know exactly how or why this level of co2 is what's needed and I don't know yet what PH the reactor is kept at to dissolve the media. We aren't supposed to need to know, although it would be good to know.

Using the controller we set the amount of effluent per hour. Testing our water to verify parameters are correct is necessary. This is slightly different from the Destaco in which one sets the desired alkalinity and the PH is held at a constant 6.0. I don't have a Destaco or know how the Destaco determines the alk. It may just have an effluent meter just like the Calcfeeder and you set the ml/hr the same way. Someone with one would have to chime in.

[HippieSmell]

Johnseye:

What needle valve are you using? Are you using the PacSun solenoid?

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by HippieSmell

Johnseye:

What needle valve are you using? Are you using the PacSun solenoid?

SS Swagelok/Whitey low flow needle valve.

I am using the PacSun solenoid. No way around it really unless you wanted to modify wiring, and even then I don't know why you would. It controls the amount of co2 allowed into the co2 chamber based on the PacSun sensor.

I also have a SS Burkert Solenoid which is plugged into my Apex. I'll use this in conjunction with my sump PH probe to shut the co2 down at that point. I will also shut down the reactor completely with the Apex if PH gets too low. The reg came with the Burkert so it's a nice backup.

[acesq]

I have a Dastaco. You don't actually set the desired alkalinity. Rather, like the Pacsun, you set the amount of effluent. My understanding is that by modulating the amount of CO2 that enters the reactor, the effluent is maintained at a constant dKH. So you dial in your tank alkalinity by setting the effluent rate, measuring the alk then and again in 24 hours then increase or decrease the effluent rate. Repeat until your alk stabilizes where you want it. I'm not sure how the two brains work differently, if at all, but the Dastaco uses a float switch to measure the amount of CO2 in the reaction chamber while the PacSun uses an optical sensor.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by acesq

I have a Dastaco. You don't actually set the desired alkalinity. Rather, like the Pacsun, you set the amount of effluent. My understanding is that by modulating the amount of CO2 that enters the reactor, the effluent is maintained at a constant dKH. So you dial in your tank alkalinity by setting the effluent rate, measuring the alk then and again in 24 hours then increase or decrease the effluent rate. Repeat until your alk stabilizes where you want it. I'm not sure how the two brains work differently, if at all, but the Dastaco uses a float switch to measure the amount of CO2 in the reaction chamber while the PacSun uses an optical sensor.

Thanks for the clarification. That's what I suspected, but was going by what was stated on the Unique Corals site.

I would also suspect it's important to check both alk and calcium until you dial them in, or like myself who has added mag to the reactor that as well. Although I'm less concerned about mag unless it goes too far out of norm.

[lionfish300]

Originally Posted by Johnseye

Over the holidays I finally got my new Pacific Sun Calcfeeder AC2 Pro up and running. This is my first calcium reactor so I have been learning how calcium reactors work in general. I have been dosing calcium and alk for years, and more recently mag as well. With this new tank my dosing requirements have been very high. I have been dosing about 300ml of alk per day using BRS sodium bicarbonate. A little less calcium and for the first time having to dose magnesium. It's possible these increased requirements are partially due to switching from Red Sea Pro salt to Tropic Marin (regular). I do like how much cleaner the Tropic Marin salt is, but having to dose more is an added cost and effort.

So I looked at several different reactors before deciding on the Pacific Sun. I looked at various used models as well as the Geo and Dastaco. I liked what I had read and heard about the Dastaco so was leaning towards that until I found out that Pacific Sun was going to release a new reactor based on the same principle. This reactor doesn't use PH as it's primary method for dissolving the media, but instead co2 level in a chamber. I researched Pacific Sun's reputation in the hobby as I had never purchased a product from them, and found no reason not to. I was concerned about buying a product so early in its life cycle, as well as getting support internationally, but after some email exchanges with Pacific Sun's President, Przemysław Cybulski, I decided to make the purchase. Przemek has been very communicative from the pre-sale until now, and I expect in the future. This goes a long way for me when making a purchase. It shows me he is personally behind his products.

I finally got around to setting everything up with some spare time over the holidays. First I had to get the regulator working and had never used a co2 reg before. I learned that the needle valve is very sensitive and needs to be opened quite a bit before any gas comes out. I don't have a bubble chamber so I just stick the end tube in a glass of water to count the bubbles. Right now I have it set for about 5 bubbles per second.



I was a pre-order and so received the degassing chamber for free. The degassing chamber is critical for me as low PH is a concern. I placed the order in October and received the reactor in early December. I had expected the wait so no concern. It gave me time to find a regulator and a local co2 distributor. The packaging was excellent and since it was an international shipment much appreciated. The entire box itself was wrapped in bubbles and inside there was plenty of packing material not to mention everything was wrapped in cellophane.



Here's a picture of the controller so you can get a look at the interfaces. It's a solid build, made of metal except for the attached pump.







Here are some of the accessories. Some tubing, holders for the tubing into the sump which is a nice add on, and the solenoid valve.





Setup was fairly easy. As this was my first calcium reactor I expected a learning curve. My only wish is that the instructions were a little clearer. I first needed to determine which tubes went where. There were some pictures in the instructions and I was able to figure out the rest. Once I got the tubing correct I filled up the reactors with media. Based on some research I went with Two Little Fishies Reborn as well as Remag media. Then I filled up the canisters with water, closed them up and started the Aquabee re-circulation pump. The Aquabee pump is extremely quiet.

The next part for me was a little confusing but after reaching out to Przemysław he quickly cleared it up and it made perfect sense. When you first turn on the controller the solenoid valve will open. You have a certain amount of time for the co2 to flow into the co2 chamber and if your co2 isn't flowing fast enough to push the water level down below the sensor, the controller will throw an error. To first get started either turn up your co2 flow or unplug, and plug back the controller until there is enough gas to fill the chamber down to the eye. Once the co2 chamber has enough gas no error is thrown and the reactor will begin to work. I set my effluent level to about 145ml per hour and am changing it as needed to match the tank's requirements.

Thanks you Johnseye for the write up. I received the same reactor at you but still waiting for regulator and co2 tank before start to hook up. You had said that you set your effluent level to about 145ml/hrs, how did you came up with that number? Thanks again

[acesq]

Originally Posted by Johnseye

Thanks for the clarification. That's what I suspected, but was going by what was stated on the Unique Corals site.



I would also suspect it's important to check both alk and calcium until you dial them in, or like myself who has added mag to the reactor that as well. Although I'm less concerned about mag unless it goes too far out of norm.

Dastaco calls for testing alk only. Since both calcium and all are dosed in equal ratios in the CaRx, even if one is out of whack at the start, they should come in line fairly quickly. I test Calcium maybe once every couple of months and it has never been out of expected range. Magnesium is a different story, I test and dose that manually when I don't keep up with regular water changes. But like you, I don't sweat it much.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Hmmm,
I was told a reactor will hold the parameters of the water available.
If you need to raise the CA you had to dose to get where you want it to be.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by lionfish300

Thanks you Johnseye for the write up. I received the same reactor at you but still waiting for regulator and co2 tank before start to hook up. You had said that you set your effluent level to about 145ml/hrs, how did you came up with that number? Thanks again

Przemysław recommended I start there. I would start low and increase as needed.

[Przemek_PacSun]

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

Hmmm,
I was told a reactor will hold the parameters of the water available.
If you need to raise the CA you had to dose to get where you want it to be.

You don't need to check alk/Ca levels every time.
You need to remember one simply rule - any calcium reactor cant be used to adjust calcium/alkalinity levels separately.
You need to have them on proper ratio(in proper salinity!) then start calcium reactor.
So after it's started - you need to check only alk level - and you dont have to car about calcium levels because using good quality media it will dissolve in the same ratio to alk/buffer like it will be taken by growing corals.

[robbous]

I bought this media to use
http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/tr...kg-bucket.html
Looks like quality media. Thoughts?

[lionfish300]

How much media it take to fill the main chamber?

[mrtint]

Anyone have the AC-2? I'm curious if the reactor can be turned to reduce the footprint a little bit. I have 11" between the sump and cabinet door but the AC-2 says it is 290mm (11.5") can it be turned a little to fit?


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[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by robbous

I bought this media to use
http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/tr...kg-bucket.html
Looks like quality media. Thoughts?

I think it's high quality media. I also think it's very expensive. If you're looking for something that gives you only calcium and alk then it's a good choice because the media is free of other elements. However, if you're looking to also gain other elements that corals use to develop their skeletons like strontium and potassium, etc then you won't get that with the Datasco media. That's the reason I went with the Two Little Fishies coral skeletons instead. I wanted the other elements at a lower cost.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by lionfish300

How much media it take to fill the main chamber?

I filled both the AC2 and the degassing chamber so I don't know how much I used for the main only. I bought a 44 lb box of media and used about half or a little more than that for both chambers.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by mrtint

Anyone have the AC-2? I'm curious if the reactor can be turned to reduce the footprint a little bit. I have 11" between the sump and cabinet door but the AC-2 says it is 290mm (11.5") can it be turned a little to fit?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you look at my picture in this post of my AC2 you'll see the media chamber, gas chamber and pump which are all on one footprint. Those 3 things can be turned any way you want. If you want exact measurements I can get them for you. The degassing chamber or DC1 is completely separate.

[mrtint]

Looks like the shortest distance is from back of pump to front of gas chamber. I bet if I turn at an angle...... it should fit! Thanks for the reply!


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