Setting up a Calcium Reactor

®eefer · 03/28/2006, 11:34 AM

I'm in the process of setting up a reactor and I'd like to know a few of the best methods to set it up. I've got a solenoid, flow meter, bubble counter, and hopefully soon, a controller.
What is the best way to setup the inlet? I am debating between a siphon from the main tank, or a t-off from the skimmer's pump. The siphon sounds dangerous, If the siphon breaks, wont the CO2 buildup in the reactor?
Should I set the effluent to drip into my skimmer?
Should I setup the controller to monitor the PH level in the reactor or the main tank?

Thanks for helping out a noob to the reactor world.

discus010 · 03/28/2006, 11:24 PM

I use a maxijet to feed my calcium reactor and I let the effluent drip into the return pump side of the sump. I use a timer instead of a ph controller to control my solenoid for the co2. The only time when the solenoid is activated is when my metal halides are on so that I avoid any large ph drops at night.

®eefer · 03/29/2006, 10:25 AM

How much effluent do you have dripping out? I would think the maxijet would have to be very restricted?

hokiefish · 03/29/2006, 10:56 AM

I also suggest using a powered method to pump water to your reactor. It will give you more control. Some reactors also have the inlet line entering right before the reciculating pump, in which case you can use the suction to draw water into your reactor. In any case you will need a valve to control the effluent drip rate.

mikeatjac · 03/29/2006, 11:03 AM

I have my line drip into the skimmer side of the refug so the skimmer can remove some residue CO2. Also, I drip into the water and not in the water. That way any gas bubbles do not go into the tank.

I too like the pump method of feed water to the CR. Better control.

®eefer · 03/29/2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikeatjac
I have my line drip into the skimmer side of the refug so the skimmer can remove some residue CO2. Also, I drip into the water and not in the water. That way any gas bubbles do not go into the tank.

I too like the pump method of feed water to the CR. Better control.

Yea I am going to drill my skimmer to help disipate excess CO2. What size pump are you using to feed the reactor?

hokiefish · 03/29/2006, 04:13 PM

I have heard of a lot of people using the maxijet1200. I threaded a small hole into the side of my sump return line and adjust the flow with the valve provided on the CA reactor.

®eefer · 03/29/2006, 04:36 PM

I guess what I am trying to get at is how much effluent should I be dripping? A maxi 1200 does what 230 GPH? So i'm thinking I t-off a 1/4" line from my skimmer pump (just spent a lot of time trying to elimite all powerheads from my tank...hate to have to add one back in). The feed line would be controlled by the effluent which I need to drip at what rate?

03/28/2006, 11:34 AM	#1
®eefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SC Pierbowl Posts: 835	Setting up a Calcium Reactor I'm in the process of setting up a reactor and I'd like to know a few of the best methods to set it up. I've got a solenoid, flow meter, bubble counter, and hopefully soon, a controller. What is the best way to setup the inlet? I am debating between a siphon from the main tank, or a t-off from the skimmer's pump. The siphon sounds dangerous, If the siphon breaks, wont the CO2 buildup in the reactor? Should I set the effluent to drip into my skimmer? Should I setup the controller to monitor the PH level in the reactor or the main tank? Thanks for helping out a noob to the reactor world. __________________ And all the while you're just really wondering are we gonna get hopped up enough to make some bad decisions. Current Tank Info: Bunch of junk slammed into and above a 150g glass box: Roughly $5k. More junk stuffed underneath the glass box: Roughly $3K. Total net worth of glass box and junk? Priceless

03/29/2006, 10:25 AM	#3
®eefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SC Pierbowl Posts: 835	How much effluent do you have dripping out? I would think the maxijet would have to be very restricted? __________________ And all the while you're just really wondering are we gonna get hopped up enough to make some bad decisions. Current Tank Info: Bunch of junk slammed into and above a 150g glass box: Roughly $5k. More junk stuffed underneath the glass box: Roughly $3K. Total net worth of glass box and junk? Priceless

03/29/2006, 10:56 AM	#4
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	I also suggest using a powered method to pump water to your reactor. It will give you more control. Some reactors also have the inlet line entering right before the reciculating pump, in which case you can use the suction to draw water into your reactor. In any case you will need a valve to control the effluent drip rate. __________________ Carpe Noctum Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder w/ Penguin Biowheel & MJ1200 for circ

03/29/2006, 11:03 AM	#5
mikeatjac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,433	I have my line drip into the skimmer side of the refug so the skimmer can remove some residue CO2. Also, I drip into the water and not in the water. That way any gas bubbles do not go into the tank. I too like the pump method of feed water to the CR. Better control. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 525 - BK 160- G5 Blue - GHL

03/29/2006, 04:13 PM	#7
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	I have heard of a lot of people using the maxijet1200. I threaded a small hole into the side of my sump return line and adjust the flow with the valve provided on the CA reactor. __________________ Carpe Noctum Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder w/ Penguin Biowheel & MJ1200 for circ

03/28/2006, 11:24 PM	#2
discus010 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Daly City, CA Posts: 133	I use a maxijet to feed my calcium reactor and I let the effluent drip into the return pump side of the sump. I use a timer instead of a ph controller to control my solenoid for the co2. The only time when the solenoid is activated is when my metal halides are on so that I avoid any large ph drops at night.

03/29/2006, 04:36 PM	#8
®eefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SC Pierbowl Posts: 835	I guess what I am trying to get at is how much effluent should I be dripping? A maxi 1200 does what 230 GPH? So i'm thinking I t-off a 1/4" line from my skimmer pump (just spent a lot of time trying to elimite all powerheads from my tank...hate to have to add one back in). The feed line would be controlled by the effluent which I need to drip at what rate? __________________ And all the while you're just really wondering are we gonna get hopped up enough to make some bad decisions. Current Tank Info: Bunch of junk slammed into and above a 150g glass box: Roughly $5k. More junk stuffed underneath the glass box: Roughly $3K. Total net worth of glass box and junk? Priceless