Calcium reactor effluent drip control

chads120 · 07/25/2009, 10:04 PM

Let me give you a picture of what I have first. I have the small Knop C calcium reactor, stock eheim circulation pump with an aquarium plants regulator, 5lb co2 tank, aqualifter pump for in and out flow(pushing into the reactor) and a milwaukee controller with external ph probe in a small cup for the co2 regulation.

My question is, what is a good way to control the drip rate of the effluent? I have had a small air screw valve doing it. But lately it keeps clogging, stopping the water output. Then the external ph probe reads a high ph and lets tons of co2 into the reactor dissolving the media and none of it going to the tank.

If you have a good way to regulate the effluent drip rate please post. I am willing to try till I find the most DEPENDABLE way to do so. Thank you.

vresor · 07/26/2009, 07:35 AM

Good question Chad. I am having the same problem. I have tried putting a large pleated filter in front of the valve and that helped, but eventually the needle valve clogged. What's the answer?

frank2926 · 07/26/2009, 07:52 AM

There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to slow down the flow via the input of the water to the reactor. The other is to set the effluent flow to a very fast drip. So fast that it is almost a stream but not. The faster flow will require more co2 , but it will prevent clogging.

108reefer · 07/26/2009, 08:07 AM

a pinch valve and gate valve from US plastics did the trick for me.

Los · 07/26/2009, 04:49 PM

Just to make sure: it is generally safer to put the needle, gate, or pinch valve on the supply side. If you have it on the output side of the reactor, pressure can build up in the reactor to the point of having anything from a small leak to a catastrophic failure. I don't know if the aqualifter pump has enough head pressure to cause your reactor to burst, but it is something to watch out for.

Back to your question. I used to have the same problem. I solved it by buying a small filter that I suck the water through before sending it to the needle valve and then the reactor. This ensures that no gunk clogs up your valve. I went from having to adjust the flow daily to never changing it. The specific filter I use is the "suction filter for aqua lifter pump":

http://www.aquariumguys.com/aqua-lif...edium=Shopping

And they only cost $3 a piece or so. I bought two so I'd have one as a spare and the first has been running strong for >6 months already without any problems.

Hope that helps.

chads120 · 07/26/2009, 10:30 PM

Thank you guys for your posts. I will try some and see how they work. I like the idea of putting the valve before the reactor. But still after the pump.

AcroporAddict · 07/27/2009, 01:04 AM

Take a look at these Two Little Fishies micro ball valves. This is what GEO includes with their Calcium reactors. I find they work great for effluent control on my two GEOs. You can find online sources for these on the TLF website.

http://www.twolittlefishies.com/tlf_...html?lang_id=1

07/25/2009, 10:04 PM	#1
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 433	Calcium reactor effluent drip control Let me give you a picture of what I have first. I have the small Knop C calcium reactor, stock eheim circulation pump with an aquarium plants regulator, 5lb co2 tank, aqualifter pump for in and out flow(pushing into the reactor) and a milwaukee controller with external ph probe in a small cup for the co2 regulation. My question is, what is a good way to control the drip rate of the effluent? I have had a small air screw valve doing it. But lately it keeps clogging, stopping the water output. Then the external ph probe reads a high ph and lets tons of co2 into the reactor dissolving the media and none of it going to the tank. If you have a good way to regulate the effluent drip rate please post. I am willing to try till I find the most DEPENDABLE way to do so. Thank you.

07/26/2009, 08:07 AM	#4
108reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: naples Posts: 355	a pinch valve and gate valve from US plastics did the trick for me. __________________ Matt the reefer Current Tank Info: Currently tankless.... Med school - need I say more...

07/26/2009, 04:49 PM	#5
Los Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Salisbury, MD - 2 hrs from DC Posts: 819	Just to make sure: it is generally safer to put the needle, gate, or pinch valve on the supply side. If you have it on the output side of the reactor, pressure can build up in the reactor to the point of having anything from a small leak to a catastrophic failure. I don't know if the aqualifter pump has enough head pressure to cause your reactor to burst, but it is something to watch out for. Back to your question. I used to have the same problem. I solved it by buying a small filter that I suck the water through before sending it to the needle valve and then the reactor. This ensures that no gunk clogs up your valve. I went from having to adjust the flow daily to never changing it. The specific filter I use is the "suction filter for aqua lifter pump": http://www.aquariumguys.com/aqua-lif...edium=Shopping And they only cost $3 a piece or so. I bought two so I'd have one as a spare and the first has been running strong for >6 months already without any problems. Hope that helps. __________________ ~~~~~ / ^ ^\ \| 0 0 \| .\ ~ / The Big Mo' - in honor of Trey and Matt Current Tank Info: 360 reef / 700 system with 4xSfiligoi XR6s, Sfiligoi XR4, BubbleKing 300 Deluxe Internal, Deltec PF601s, PM Kalk, Deltec FR616, Deltec FR509, AquaController APEX, Tunze 6305, 2x6205, 2x6101, 6100, 3xDart Golds, Barracuda, Snapper, 2xOceans Motions

07/26/2009, 10:30 PM	#6
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 433	Thank you guys for your posts. I will try some and see how they work. I like the idea of putting the valve before the reactor. But still after the pump. __________________ Chad Jones, self made, one of kind, 3/4"thick, 90 gallon, rimless, starfire cube. 250 watt Lumen Max Elite Mogul fixture with Rapid Led night light. Two vortech mp40's for flow, and an ATB 840 V2 cone skimmer.

07/26/2009, 07:35 AM	#2
vresor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 285	Good question Chad. I am having the same problem. I have tried putting a large pleated filter in front of the valve and that helped, but eventually the needle valve clogged. What's the answer?

07/26/2009, 07:52 AM	#3
frank2926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: phila Posts: 1,645	There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to slow down the flow via the input of the water to the reactor. The other is to set the effluent flow to a very fast drip. So fast that it is almost a stream but not. The faster flow will require more co2 , but it will prevent clogging.

07/27/2009, 01:04 AM	#7
AcroporAddict There is no substitute. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 2,269	Take a look at these Two Little Fishies micro ball valves. This is what GEO includes with their Calcium reactors. I find they work great for effluent control on my two GEOs. You can find online sources for these on the TLF website. http://www.twolittlefishies.com/tlf_...html?lang_id=1