GEO Calcium Reactor 618 - Help!

JohnL · 07/23/2009, 12:31 PM

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...0#post15403390

AcroporAddict · 07/23/2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jnb
I called Geroge a while back - while he said he could make it, he tried to not get involved in it - so I will just convert if I have to and sell my 612

I have the same Reef Fan. reg and installed an ideal needle valve on it which is a lot more sensative - it is referred to pages back.

I wonder if there could be possible liability issues there.....the conversion would basically be a tube extension held in place by the same keyhole/thumbscrew system used on the lids with an O-Ring for the seal, I assume?

MRC does this with their Beckett Skimmers...allow you to go bigger without purchasing a new unit.
Dave

AcroporAddict · 07/23/2009, 12:32 PM

ha ha!......I've never split a thread before!

Dave

jnb · 07/23/2009, 12:48 PM

congrats

Quote:

Originally posted by AcroporAddict
ha ha!......I've never split a thread before!
Dave

jdieck · 07/23/2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AcroporAddict
ha ha!......I've never split a thread before!
Dave

Darn! It should have been me!!

edandsandy · 07/23/2009, 02:59 PM

NO, it should have been ME!!!!!
Just kidding.....

Jose you deserve the bragging rights to this thread...
Your right AGAIN!
It should have been you......

edandsandy · 07/23/2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AcroporAddict
I wonder if there could be possible liability issues there.....the conversion would basically be a tube extension held in place by the same keyhole/thumbscrew system used on the lids with an O-Ring for the seal, I assume?

MRC does this with their Beckett Skimmers...allow you to go bigger without purchasing a new unit.
Dave

I was wondering the same thing, with the possible liability issue......
George said it would not look as nice, I said as long as it works, pretty didn't matter to me

Padrino · 07/23/2009, 04:53 PM

JNB,
I looked for that needle valve that is more precise, i could not find the what you were referencing too. I would rather not purchase another regulator if i can get away with it. Could you repost a link?

Thanks man!
Rob

jnb · 07/23/2009, 05:32 PM

http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/CO2.html#needle

Quote:

Originally posted by Padrino
JNB,
I looked for that needle valve that is more precise, i could not find the what you were referencing too. I would rather not purchase another regulator if i can get away with it. Could you repost a link?

Thanks man!
Rob

RGibson · 07/23/2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by edandsandy
I was wondering the same thing, with the possible liability issue......
George said it would not look as nice, I said as long as it works, pretty didn't matter to me

It is not a liability issue it is because george will not make as much money .

edandsandy · 07/24/2009, 06:43 AM

You might be right on the money

I will try giving him a call again and if he will make on for me...
Maybe you can call him for me and talk him into it

MSHUR · 07/24/2009, 08:23 AM

Fellas,
Anyone running this reactor with peri pump? i set up my new peri pump last nite do push 65ml/min and set controller at 6.7 . this morning my reactor was like a zelter bottle and water was cloudy.. any ideas?...

mike

jnb · 07/24/2009, 08:28 AM

did you calibrate your PH probe?
is the PH changing i.e. is the probe working?
what pump are you using - are you sure you did not tell it 65ml per day?
it sounds like your media is melting?
is there actually effluent coming out?

Quote:

Originally posted by MSHUR
Fellas,
Anyone running this reactor with peri pump? i set up my new peri pump last nite do push 65ml/min and set controller at 6.7 . this morning my reactor was like a zelter bottle and water was cloudy.. any ideas?...

mike

MSHUR · 07/24/2009, 08:42 AM

yes, ph prob is working good.. ph was changing and controller was shutting off CO2. I use Cole palmer peri pump , did check it was 65ml /min. I didnt notice media was melting . As far as flow, it was coming out with air bubbles

jnb · 07/24/2009, 08:54 AM

so the fizz look is just chopped up air not melted media - how many BPM are you making?

sounds like you need to purge the gas, slow the bubbles

Quote:

Originally posted by MSHUR
yes, ph prob is working good.. ph was changing and controller was shutting off CO2. I use Cole palmer peri pump , did check it was 65ml /min. I didnt notice media was melting . As far as flow, it was coming out with air bubbles

RokleM · 07/24/2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RGibson
It is not a liability issue it is because george will not make as much money .

Quote:

Originally posted by edandsandy
You might be right on the money
I will try giving him a call again and if he will make on for me...
Maybe you can call him for me and talk him into it

It is probably a combination of everything. It's rigging up a current reactor beyond the normal design with potential issues (leakage, media fill problems, etc), doesn't look as good, etc. There have also been design changes over the years, so there are potential compatibility issues. Honestly, I can't say I blame him from a financial standpoint. It takes significantly longer time to create custom works than the blueprint standards in mass production, even if it is a small piece.

Sometimes the simple request isn't so simple. None the less, an email or call can't necessarily hurt if it's something you feel you need. It is a kind of cool idea that might not be a bad idea for future products if it can be planned for prior to production.

MSHUR · 07/24/2009, 09:01 AM

To be honest i am not sure how many bubbles i set up.. i figure controller will shut Co2 when it hit 6.7. I think about 1-2 bubbles per sec
at least thats what happend with my previuos Schuran reactor..

jnb · 07/24/2009, 09:46 AM

if you have too many bpm the gas can build up and cause excess gas and the pump can actually loose prime and will swish bubble thru - when your controller shuts co2 off and then back on minutes later - how long does it take to turn off co2 again if its like 10 minutes or even 20 minutes you need to cut down BPM - which, due to your effluent I think should be about 60-90bpm instead of 2 per second or 120 per minute

first turn off co2 and let your reactor purge bubbles naturally, then later hour or so - some go much longer, turn it back on at decreased bpm

this is just my thought and may not be the best advice

Jose is much better

Quote:

Originally posted by MSHUR
To be honest i am not sure how many bubbles i set up.. i figure controller will shut Co2 when it hit 6.7. I think about 1-2 bubbles per sec
at least thats what happend with my previuos Schuran reactor..

MSHUR · 07/24/2009, 09:51 AM

thats what i thought too.. right now Co2 is off, i plan to run co2 free till the end of the day..then ill try 60 bpm.

thank you

jdieck · 07/24/2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MSHUR
thats what i thought too.. right now Co2 is off, i plan to run co2 free till the end of the day..then ill try 60 bpm.

thank you

more like 35 to 40 bpm. Plug the solenoid directly to the outlet, adjust the bubble rate and then plug it to the controller outlet.

MSHUR · 07/24/2009, 02:53 PM

Thank you Jdieck..

AcroporAddict · 08/01/2009, 01:10 AM

Hey guys,
I wanted to give a shout out to George W. (GEO) for some excellent customer service regarding my GEO 618 calcium reactor.

I switched out my 5# CO2 tank for a 20# tank, and as I was tightening the regulator to the 20# tank, my wrench handle caught on the shutoff valve on the cylinder, opened it, and released a TON of CO2 into the 618...blew off and broke off the retaining tabs on the Eheim pump cover, and blew out the glue seal where the PVC union attaches to the clear acrylic top.

I emailed George and he got me out a new top the very next day. Couldn't have asked for better product support...thanks George!
Dave

jdieck · 08/01/2009, 08:25 AM

Acro:
Glad you got it solved fast. As a precaution when connecting and first opening the cyclinder valve it is always prudent to unescrew the pressure adjusting knob in the body of the regulator. This way even if the cylinder valve opens there will be no pressure delivered by the regulator.
In any case I am trying to figure out how opening the cylinder valve could have delivered that much CO2 into the reactor. Does the regulator have a solenoid valve? if so was the valve energized (Open)?

troynel · 08/01/2009, 02:08 PM

Hey guys,
I wanted to give a shout out to George W. (GEO) for some excellent customer service regarding my GEO 618 calcium reactor.

I switched out my 5# CO2 tank for a 20# tank, and as I was tightening the regulator to the 20# tank, my wrench handle caught on the shutoff valve on the cylinder, opened it, and released a TON of CO2 into the 618...blew off and broke off the retaining tabs on the Eheim pump cover, and blew out the glue seal where the PVC union attaches to the clear acrylic top.

I emailed George and he got me out a new top the very next day. Couldn't have asked for better product support...thanks George!
Dave

Same thing happened with me and he did the same thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AcroporAddict · 08/01/2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdieck
Acro:
Glad you got it solved fast. As a precaution when connecting and first opening the cyclinder valve it is always prudent to unescrew the pressure adjusting knob in the body of the regulator. This way even if the cylinder valve opens there will be no pressure delivered by the regulator.
In any case I am trying to figure out how opening the cylinder valve could have delivered that much CO2 into the reactor. Does the regulator have a solenoid valve? if so was the valve energized (Open)?

The solenoid was energized. Didn't think it mattered since I had the cylinder valve closed.

My regulator/solenoid is a JBJ, and it does not have a pressure adjusting knob in the regulator. I own four reg/solenoid combos and the other three have it. I always turn the pressure nut counterclockwise until it is closed if the reg has one. The JBJ has a brass needle valve that regulates both the pressure on the step down gauge and the bubble count, and I had opened that wide to depressurize the solenoid when I disconnected it from the 5# CO2 tank, thus the open path for the gas into the reactor when the wrench handle opened the cylinder valve.

Here is a pic of mine, except I don't have the bubble counter. No pressure nut, just a JBJ logo.

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Dual_...FICORE-vi.html

Dave

07/23/2009, 02:59 PM	#6
edandsandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NE Florida Posts: 2,380 Blog Entries: 2	NO, it should have been ME!!!!! Just kidding..... Jose you deserve the bragging rights to this thread... Your right AGAIN! It should have been you...... __________________ Sandy ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•><((((º>´¯`•><((((º> .¸¸.><((((º>•.¸. , . .•><((((º>.¸¸. Current Tank Info: 375 Reef, 4) Radion LED lights X30 pro, Apex Fusion, Octo Regal 300 E Skimmer, GEO 618 Calcium Reactor 2) Reeflo Snapper pumps, 2)50g refugium, 2) MP 40's

07/24/2009, 06:43 AM	#11
edandsandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NE Florida Posts: 2,380 Blog Entries: 2	You might be right on the money I will try giving him a call again and if he will make on for me... Maybe you can call him for me and talk him into it __________________ Sandy ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•><((((º>´¯`•><((((º> .¸¸.><((((º>•.¸. , . .•><((((º>.¸¸. Current Tank Info: 375 Reef, 4) Radion LED lights X30 pro, Apex Fusion, Octo Regal 300 E Skimmer, GEO 618 Calcium Reactor 2) Reeflo Snapper pumps, 2)50g refugium, 2) MP 40's

07/24/2009, 08:23 AM	#12
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	Fellas, Anyone running this reactor with peri pump? i set up my new peri pump last nite do push 65ml/min and set controller at 6.7 . this morning my reactor was like a zelter bottle and water was cloudy.. any ideas?... mike __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

07/24/2009, 08:42 AM	#14
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	yes, ph prob is working good.. ph was changing and controller was shutting off CO2. I use Cole palmer peri pump , did check it was 65ml /min. I didnt notice media was melting . As far as flow, it was coming out with air bubbles __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

07/24/2009, 09:01 AM	#17
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	To be honest i am not sure how many bubbles i set up.. i figure controller will shut Co2 when it hit 6.7. I think about 1-2 bubbles per sec at least thats what happend with my previuos Schuran reactor.. __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

07/23/2009, 12:31 PM	#1
JohnL RC Staff Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 14,431	This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...0#post15403390

07/23/2009, 12:32 PM	#3
AcroporAddict There is no substitute. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 2,269	ha ha!......I've never split a thread before! Dave

07/23/2009, 04:53 PM	#8
Padrino Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,934	JNB, I looked for that needle valve that is more precise, i could not find the what you were referencing too. I would rather not purchase another regulator if i can get away with it. Could you repost a link? Thanks man! Rob

07/24/2009, 09:51 AM	#19
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	thats what i thought too.. right now Co2 is off, i plan to run co2 free till the end of the day..then ill try 60 bpm. thank you __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

07/24/2009, 02:53 PM	#21
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	Thank you Jdieck.. __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

08/01/2009, 01:10 AM	#22
AcroporAddict There is no substitute. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 2,269	Hey guys, I wanted to give a shout out to George W. (GEO) for some excellent customer service regarding my GEO 618 calcium reactor. I switched out my 5# CO2 tank for a 20# tank, and as I was tightening the regulator to the 20# tank, my wrench handle caught on the shutoff valve on the cylinder, opened it, and released a TON of CO2 into the 618...blew off and broke off the retaining tabs on the Eheim pump cover, and blew out the glue seal where the PVC union attaches to the clear acrylic top. I emailed George and he got me out a new top the very next day. Couldn't have asked for better product support...thanks George! Dave

08/01/2009, 08:25 AM	#23
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Acro: Glad you got it solved fast. As a precaution when connecting and first opening the cyclinder valve it is always prudent to unescrew the pressure adjusting knob in the body of the regulator. This way even if the cylinder valve opens there will be no pressure delivered by the regulator. In any case I am trying to figure out how opening the cylinder valve could have delivered that much CO2 into the reactor. Does the regulator have a solenoid valve? if so was the valve energized (Open)? __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

08/01/2009, 02:08 PM	#24
troynel Troynel Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Moorpark, Ca Posts: 546	Hey guys, I wanted to give a shout out to George W. (GEO) for some excellent customer service regarding my GEO 618 calcium reactor. I switched out my 5# CO2 tank for a 20# tank, and as I was tightening the regulator to the 20# tank, my wrench handle caught on the shutoff valve on the cylinder, opened it, and released a TON of CO2 into the 618...blew off and broke off the retaining tabs on the Eheim pump cover, and blew out the glue seal where the PVC union attaches to the clear acrylic top. I emailed George and he got me out a new top the very next day. Couldn't have asked for better product support...thanks George! Dave Same thing happened with me and he did the same thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!