Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[tkeracer619]

Hey guys!

I'm still alive, however extremely busy at work. I will be resuming normal business hours mid next week and will be more active on the forums again!

Just wanted to swing by and say hi to my favorite reefers after responding to a couple pms that have been sitting in my inbox... for like a month.

Anyways, howdy .

[africangrey]

welcome back, you have been very instrumental on thinning our wallet with the colepalmer pumps.

[hkgar]

Welcome back.

[swk]

Loving this setup. I'm currently using a 7523-70 but just closed the deal on a 7523-60 which has the more ideal gearing. Best part is I made an offer for 250 and we settled at 260. Score!!!

[tkeracer619]

Awesome! These suckers are pricey but how about that stability!

[ReefRescue]

Thanks tkeracer619 for the write up. I have been sharing this write up with all hobbyists that have nightmares with CR setups.
This is a mandatory read tread for everybody that complains about the inconsistency of calcium reactors.

[swk]

Anyone have any info on what rpm would correlate with ml? Standard 7523-60 unit with ls17 tubing.

Currently using a 7523-70 at 35ml and this new one doesn't give the option. Only 30, or 40 ml options.

[slief]

Originally Posted by swk

Anyone have any info on what rpm would correlate with ml? Standard 7523-60 unit with ls17 tubing.

Currently using a 7523-70 at 35ml and this new one doesn't give the option. Only 30, or 40 ml options.

The flow per RPM is based on the head you are using. With a typical Easy Load head like a 7518-10, LS-17 tubing flows at 2.8ml/min per RPM. If you search for your head model on the Cole Parmer site, under specs, there is usually a link to the flow chart.

Here is the chart for the 7518-10 which again would represent the flow for the Easy Load and Easy Load II heads.

[swk]

Perfect! Thank you so much!

[troynel]

Just curious as to how necessary one of these pumps are to running a calcium reactor? What are the negatives if you don't?

[slief]

Originally Posted by troynel

Just curious as to how necessary one of these pumps are to running a calcium reactor? What are the negatives if you don't?

The negatives are constant plugging of the effluent line on the reactor and no where near as stable pH inside the reactor because the flow in the reactor changes as the effluent line clogs. The other downside is that you have nowhere near the fine level of control using a needle valve to control the flow through the reactor. The Masterflex allows for infinitely more control over the flow through the reactor which gives you much better control over the Ca/Alk levels in your tank and a much more consistent reactor. Not only that but with a Masterflex and a good regulator, a controller really never has to intervene. My pH levels are so consistent inside my reactor that my Apex never shuts my Co2 regulator off. I haven't had to touch my calcium reactor since I set it up and got it fine tuned.

This is a 7 day graph of my calcium reactor pH. There isn't more than .1 pH in fluctuation over the course of a week and it pretty much follows the tanks Ph in terms of higher during the day and lower at night. Day to day fluctuation is generally no more than .05 pH but it's gone from hot to cold and back to hot outside which has some impact on my tanks temps as well. That in turn has a slight impact on the tanks pH levels. My Apex NEVER has to intervene with the Co2 regulator. Between the Cole Parmer and my Aquarium Plants regulator, my pH in the reactor is always spot on consistent.

You only get this kind of long term stability with a good regulator and a Masterflex pump. It makes a reactor a set it and forget it device.

[swk]

Hi everyone! I think there was a 3M product that guys were using on the female end of the pump head/body connection, sort of a hot dog and bun kind of deal....anyways, it gets rid of the rhythmic clicking noise from the pump head. Mine happens about 4 times per revolution...

[hkgar]

I use Teflon tape on the male end of the connection.

[swk]

Originally Posted by hkgar

I use Teflon tape on the male end of the connection.

Tried that last night and it worked great. It must've compressed over night as its faintly making the noise again...I'm wondering if getting a newer pump head would help?

Does anyone know who makes an aftermarket second chamber?

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by swk

Tried that last night and it worked great. It must've compressed over night as its faintly making the noise again...I'm wondering if getting a newer pump head would help?

Does anyone know who makes an aftermarket second chamber?

just add a couple more wraps of the tape.

[slief]

Originally Posted by swk

Does anyone know who makes an aftermarket second chamber?

You could use almost any reactor for a second chamber. Avast has some good priced ones that are well made.

[Jlentz]

Originally Posted by slief

You could use almost any reactor for a second chamber. Avast has some good priced ones that are well made.

I was curious about that as well. I've got an extra brs reactor I'm not using and I was thinking about trying to set it up as a second chamber.

[swk]

Off topic, but is it normal to have to increase the amount of gas after adding a check valve? I added a second valve to my system and reactor PH rose to 6.9 and was difficult to raise back up. I took it off a few minutes ago to see what happens but figured I'd throw the question to you all as well. Thanks!

[this is me]

Guys,
Just want to confirm that these pumps have no issue with head pressure? I'm planning on setting up the CA reactor down the basement and the effluent line will be ~10feet up.

[slief]

Originally Posted by this is me

Guys,
Just want to confirm that these pumps have no issue with head pressure? I'm planning on setting up the CA reactor down the basement and the effluent line will be ~10feet up.

No issues with head pressure. These pumps pout out 20 psi+ and can push water around the block. 10' up would be no issue at all.

[this is me]

Cool. Thanks!
I'm hoping to get a 7520-40 and set up my Schuran reactor. The pump is the only missing component.

[slief]

Originally Posted by this is me

Cool. Thanks!
I'm hoping to get a 7520-40 and set up my Schuran reactor. The pump is the only missing component.

That would be a great choice.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by this is me

Guys,
Just want to confirm that these pumps have no issue with head pressure? I'm planning on setting up the CA reactor down the basement and the effluent line will be ~10feet up.

I used one for ATO because my run was 8 feet of verical and 35 feet of horizontal. I have since moved the sump to the basement but still use a Cole Parmer for ATO.

[this is me]

Okay, how loud are these pumps?
I have the 20RPM fixed browish yellow Masterflex and it's loud. I don't really care that much as it will be in the basement but still.

[swk]

Originally Posted by this is me

Okay, how loud are these pumps?
I have the 20RPM fixed browish yellow Masterflex and it's loud. I don't really care that much as it will be in the basement but still.

I have a 10–600 RPM unit that is brushless and is virtually impossible to hear anything. I also have a 6–100 RPM unit that is brushless and it makes a little bit more noise, but not much.

The single most important thing if you're looking for a quiet pump is to get a brushless model