NEW ATI Model 2 Calcium Reactor – Demo Units Available

[ReefGeek-Greg]

Hi All,

We just got in a small shipment of the new ATI Model 2 Calcium Reactors and we need to recruit a couple experienced hobbyists to help us test them out. You must have a tank of at least 100+ gallons that is both well established (12 months old or more) and well stocked preferably with lots of SPS corals and you must already use a calcium reactor.

A $200 deposit will be required for each unit. If you decide after testing that you’d like to return the unit for any reason you will receive a full refund. Of course, we hope you like the unit and will decide to keep it. If that’s the case you will pay nothing more than the deposit.

Please send your “resume” to [email protected] Please include the following information as well as any additional information you’d like to include. Sell yourself. We want to know that you really want it.

1. Location
2. Tank size
3. Tank type
4. Years of hobby experience
5. Current calcium reactor & length of use

Regards,
Greg @ ReefGeek

[ReefGeek-Greg]

<Q> So what do we ask for in return?

<A> Your full and honest opinion whether it be good or bad, suggestions for improving the unit and your help in putting together a users manual.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/5363calcium_reactor-med.jpg

For those of you familiar with the old ATI units these new ones feature the same up-flow design.

[Aqua Keepers]

Good deal Greg. I wish i was set up. Whats the final cost of the unit looking like? ATI seems to be kicking some booty in the reef world now a days.

[itZme]

PM sent


Edit: OOPS .. didn't read as well as I should have :( sorry

[ReefGeek-Greg]

The unit should sell for $400-450.

[flowerseller]

I just sent some e-mail in hopes of becoming a demo tester.
Hope to hear something soon.

http://www.wamas.org/totm_previous.php?prev=totm-2006-11.html Here's a link to my set up (http://www.wamas.org/totm_previous.php?prev=totm-2006-11.html) (remove if inappropriate)

[Creetin]

Sent email greg. Hope to get to test this.

[ricka]

I picked up the unit yesterday.

ATi continues to impress me with the elegance and simplicity of their designs. I need to tweek a few things before I post anymore details but I hope to have a review of the product within the next week.

--Rick

[Creetin]

First off i would get rid of the rubber and add true unions. I would never trust that configuration.
Second i would get rid of the bubble counter.
Third, A small secondary reactor for bringing effluent up higher, or use it for a reactor for rowa or the likes for removing po4 so a cheap brand of substrate could be used without worrying of po4 from it. ;) It oesnt need to be big at all just enough to add the media, or rowa.
Fourth. I would take that piping out of the side and use JG ballvalve fitting on the top of the second reactor for the effluent speed rate.
And a imput on the top of the first reactor for a probe for a controller.

[flowerseller]

So I got some mail back saying they might be interested but never heard any more from it.
Does this mean ricka is the tester or is the consideration process still considering?

[ricka]

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't reported sooner but here are my initial impressions of the new reactor. I installed the reactor in my sump last Friday and it's been running ever since.

Here's a picture of the reactor in my sump:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/30925EPSN0086.JPG

My initial observations about this reactor are as follows:

Seems to be a set it and forget it type device.
Once I dialed in the bubble count and flow rate it stays put. I have seen other reactors that require fiddling to keep them operating properly. Time will tell with this reactor but my initial impression is good.

Design
The design is reverse flow and the pump output is injected into the reactor in such a way that the water spins below the media like a whirlwind. This design allows for good water flow through all of the media and I see bubbles flowing through the media all of the time.

Easy access to media chamber
I really like the fact that there are no tubes or connections on the top of the chamber. You can loosen 4 wing nuts and just dump more media in. Most other reactors have a series of tubes on top of their reactors making it a challenge to refill them.

Build quality
The build quality of this reactor is good. The cylinder is made of thick cast acrylic and seems like it could take a beating. There are a myriad of tubes and connections inside the skimmer that are thinner walled but but they should be ok. The one thing that I found disappointing is that you can't remove the base plate. It is welded on because there are so many tubes running through it.

Missing parts
For some reason this reactor doesn't come with a needle valve for the effluent or a check valve for the CO2 line. I put the reactor together using these parts from my old reactor but I really hope that by the time these things are for sale they include these parts.

Don't run it externally
I tried to run the reactor externally and the pump seal leaked. It didn't leak a lot, but I have a zero tolerance policy for leaks. At the first sign of salt creep I replace whatever is creeping. I also observed that none of the connections are glued together. The 90 degree elbow on the volute of the pump is shoved in and sealed with an o-ring. In one of my tests, I got the pressure in the reactor too high and it popped out.

Tonight I'll take some readings and post stuff like effluent PH, bubble count, etc.

--Rick

[Creetin]

Well not too many people will pay 700 dollars for a in sump ca/rx.
Ati should really make this an external. Its commendable they want to use the sicce pumps on these, But i would go back to ehiems on the ca/rx since they would probably be a better fit for the unions and a watertight enviornment.

[ricka]

Hey guys,

I've had more time to work with the reactor over the last week or so and I have to say :thumbsup:. I replumbed it about a week ago so that I have slight pressure in the reactor and it has been locked in since. I am feeding the reactor using a minijet 404 and I have a needle valve on the output of the reactor. I am using a mixture of ARM, Shuran and Zeomag as the media in the reactor.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

--Rick

[Creetin]

So you took it out of the sump and feed with a minijet?
Isnt the schuran a lower ph melting ca???

[ricka]

No, it's still in the sump. I don't think that this reactor is going to be external ready unless a different pump is used. I have the same complaint about Mag pumps, Quiet Ones, etc. O-ring seals aren't good enough.

I might actually do that at some point anyways because it's nice to have a spare pump for my BM250.

The Shuran media is supposed to begin dissolving at around 6.5 PH which is where I have the reactor dialed into. If that's not low enough, then I'll just wait for the ARM to dissolve and I'll add more Shuran. I think that this reactor is built for the bigger media and I wouldn't use ARM in it except that I have 30 lbs of it mixed in with 5lbs of Shuran already.

I have a mega reactor (24" x 14" x 14" square) that I built for my prop tank that holds 50lbs of media that's why I have the ARM and Shuran media mixed.

--Rick

[ricka]

Here's a brief update on my progress.

I shut off the reactor and feed pump to do a water change and when I turned it back on the reactor when into a fit of cavitation. I waited almost 24 hours for it to catch up and then finally gave up. It looks like the mini-jet is just too little of a pump to use as a feed pump.

I've switched to using gravity from my overflow to feed the reactor and I'll let you all know how it goes.

--Rick

[hahnmeister]

What are the dimensions on this thing? $400-450 should place it in the 6" diameter 20" high range if its going to compete with H&S units that are similar. If its smaller than that, then heck... why not just get the small deltec...

[Creetin]

I would guess since the 1.5 inch pvc is there that its close if not 6 inches. ;)

[ricka]

Here's another update.

Gravity feeding this reactor isn't a good idea either. I tried using a Maxi-Jet 600 and it locked in almost immediately. It's been steady since last night and I'll keep you posted.

--Rick

[Creetin]

I have a maxijet 600 on my mrc. Its a great pump for feeds and such.
I love the gen x small pumps as well.

[Creetin]

Any back syphons happen to you? Any restart issues? Keeping co2 rate stabil?
Are you keeping effluent stabil?
Building pressure in the reactor?
Any restart issues?

[Creetin]

Well excuse the excess tubes, I am moving stuff around, and havnt replumbed and tucked everything over yet. But this reactor i think will handle a big loaded sps tank! Easy will handle my 180.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/realcreetin/th_MVI_2193.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/realcreetin/?action=view&current=MVI_2193.flv)

[Creetin]

Note that i placed the JG fitting on the feed line to the sicci pump rather than the effluent line. This enables better effluent controll, and lets gas displace the water without building pressure in the reactor.

[Creetin]

Well the reactor has alot of potential, But i guess i am the only one having issues with it. Am i the only one running it external? Would the other guys testing them out please tell me your exp with them and what youre doing?
I can't keep it under 6.8 and keep the co2 from building up till i get vapor lock in the reactor. Its quite frustrating because the reactor itself is going to be great, and shows some serious potential, But it is throwing me for a loop on how to keep it dialed in and keep it from vapor locking every 2-7 days. :(

[Creetin]

BTW i have exhausted every possable way to run it to my knowledge, and i am ready to start modding it.
Like a jg fitting on top with a 1/2 inch piece of tubing on the bottom so when the gas builds up it gets blown out.

[ricka]

Hey Creetin,

What are you doing with the output? One of the things that I think helps alot with mine is that I don't make the effluent run up hill. I have the needlevalve on the directly on the output of the reactor then it goes into a cup (with a ph probe in it) that drips into the sump at the same water level.

This might help..

http://www.arabian.am/fish/gallery-photo-data//1024/EPSN0003.JPG

--Rick

[Creetin]

I cannot controll the effluent rate on the out. If i do place a needle valve there the pressure builds up too great and shuts the pump down and all the seals start leaking. It can't handle the pressure, so i am controlling the in on the pump side and leaving the exit unobstructed.

[ricka]

That's weird. I feed it with an MJ600 (the white tube going into the black one under the needlevalve) and I've never had a problem with back pressure.

I'm using ARM with some Shuran and Zeomag mixed in. What are you using for media?

--Rick

[Creetin]

I am using large sized genx media, And i tried schuran as well to no avail. As soon as i restrict the effluent the pump shuts down to half if not more in flow and a couple hrs later the oring starts to leak no matter how tight i crimp it down. Then the pump starts to rattle. It is doing the same thing the schurans do, and i am not about to get a $200 perstaltic pump for it. :(
I tried feeding it with maxi's,genx,feed from the circ pump, and all the same results. Leaks, and pump stalling. :(

[Creetin]

BTW i had it so it ran down hill to the sump when i had the effluent regulated.
I have tried syphon breaks in the effluent lines and everything.
Restricting the feed on the pump side works well, But i am getting a negative pressure in the system, because the co2 displaces the water. Just like the schurans do.
Have you added anything to yours?
Also i would like to hear the other tester's results. I guess i am the only guy having this problem.

[glassbox-design]

what is the flow rate? perhaps you could get away with the cheap aquamedic dosing pump instead of the cp.

[Creetin]

A suggested 50-70 drips per minute is suggested, But i am at 120 to keep the ca/rx from filling with co2 so its not very efficiant at the moment.

[ricka]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9945637#post9945637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Creetin
BTW i had it so it ran down hill to the sump when i had the effluent regulated.
I have tried syphon breaks in the effluent lines and everything.
Restricting the feed on the pump side works well, But i am getting a negative pressure in the system, because the co2 displaces the water. Just like the schurans do.
Have you added anything to yours?
Also i would like to hear the other tester's results. I guess i am the only guy having this problem.

Hey Creetin,

I think that downhill is also a problem because it will have trouble keeping the reactor full because the water will drain. It needs to be at the same level.

--Rick

[Creetin]

I tried it at a slight upward about the same as yours and to no avail it still did the same. LOL I am at my wits end. I am already to put an ehiem on it with unions and get a thick oring for the top and just see if if it runs.

[ricka]

Can you put it in the sump? Mine seems to like being under water.

--Rick

[Creetin]

No my sump is full, But was thinking on setting it a tub of water though just to see.

[ricka]

I'll try taking mine out of the sump by next weekend to see if it runs any differently.

I promised Greg that I'd do that a while back and never got around to it.

--Rick

[ricka]

So I took some measurements this morning.

The effluent on my reactor is flowing at a rate of around 40ml/minute with a PH of 6.5. The alkalinity of the effluent was around 19 DKH.

19 seems a little low, but that could be because of the mash (ARM, Shuran and ZeoMag) the I use for reactor media. I'm going to push the PH down a bit more to see if I can get it a little higher. I would normally expect it to be in the mid to high 20s.

--Rick

[Creetin]

Alk i have no issues with if i could keep it at 6.5 and under my alk is 30+ dkh cal about 550-600

[ricka]

I ran another measurement this morning. At a 6.4 PH with a drip rate of 30 ml/minute I have an alk reading of 25DKH.

I'm going to work on moving it out of my sump and I'll have more readings tomorrow.

--Rick

[Ewan]

A lot of these reactors that like to form a siphon do best unrestricted on the outlet side, and fed via a metering or peristaltic pump. I've been using an aquamedic SP3000 that I got on sale for $69 last year. It replaced my cole parmer after it started shocking me (!!). The quality of the SP3000 is not what I'd like to see, but it gets the job done... one noisy clunk after another.

Put a peri on that and stop fiddling around :)

-rob

[Creetin]

Thats what i will use, I wasnt going to shell out 200 for a coleparmer.IMO
70 bucks i can handle a little better to get a kick azz reactor.
I am at a lul with this, and i cant go any further untill i get one, Thanks ewan!
If this thing was stabil i could easy feed a 400 gallon sps tank with this. JMO

[Ewan]

The thing about the Sp3000 is that it's not adjustable. The set rate is about 50ml/min. Some folks look at this as not being a decent candidate because of the lack of control... but I assure you that this can be dealt with using 2 other variables, I'll be glad to explain it further is you are concerned about having a fixed-flow pump. You may already be aware of how to deal with a moderate/high flow fixed rate feed... I don't want to offend.

You'll be pleased with the peri pump, I promise. I've switched dozens of users over, and their reactor instability issues disappear (under the right circumstance, obviously). It's not the only way to deal with a siphoning reactor, but it's definitely the most hassle free. JMHO.

regards,

rob

[ricka]

Hey guys,

I pulled the reactor from my sump and it's now running external. The thicker o-ring Greg sent me stopped the leak from the pump, but now it seems to have a real slow leak between the rubber tubing and the reactor chamber. I'm still dialing it in right now (48 hrs so far). It seems to burp every few seconds. the water drips then spews for a second or so then drips again. Has anyone else see this?

--Rick

[jdieck]

Based on your discussion and the video here are some comments:
a) The reactor is obviously missing means for purging the air out upon initial filling and for means of getting rid of excess CO2 at the top due to the fact that the effluent line is below the highest point on the chamber.
Moving effluent line to the top flange or installing a small recirculation line from the top of the chamber to the pump inlet elbow will help get rid of the CO2 but that will be only solving a symptom.
Beside stability issues, excessive bubbling will cause premature failure of the pump due to cavitation. If what I hear in the video is the pump running that is some serious cavitation going on.

b) Very often CO2 gas do not dissolve and will accumulate in the gaseous form at higher than 6.5 PH when there is an area of low pressure in the chamber, this is very noticeable when the effluent control valve is at the inlet of the reactor and not at the outlet.
In this case also the suction of the pump is creating a zone of low or negative pressure on top of the chamber causing the CO2 to bubble out or not getting into solution.

c) Bubbling out of CO2 could be minimized two ways. First by introducing the CO2 at the pump inlet so the sudden increase in pressure going from the inlet into the discharge will help dissolution. It is not clear from the picture where exactly the CO2 is going in so I can't see if this is already being done.
The second part of the solution will be to run the reactor slightly pressurized by the discharge pressure of the powerhead, unfortunately seems the reactor is also lacking in that respect due to the leaking potential at the pump O ring, the pump connecting hoses and the top flange. In this case I doubt four screws will be enough to provide for proper top sealing. By the way my preferred will be a minimum of 6 to 8 screws. I prefer thumb screws with keyholed flange, just loosen and remove rather than having to completely remove the nuts.

d) I do not know what is the recommendation by the manufacturer but I usually recommend to run the reactor at least 3/4 full. This not only increase the performance by adding a lot more area of dissolution but also more media creates more pressure drop across the chamber also improving the dissolution of the CO2.

e) Finally, take note that when testing effluent for alkalinity in up flow reactors the sample has a tendency to carry a lot of media particles, this particles will dissolve during titration and give you the impression that there is more alkalinity than it really is. You need to extract at least half a cup and let it stand still for half an hour (or try filtering the sample with coffee filter) then take the sample careful not to pull any sediment from the cup.

So in summary:
Improved hermeticity of the system is required to improve CO2 dissolution and either a recirculating or dripping small line from the top of the chamber is required to purge the system and vent any accumulation of air or CO2 and to prevent the pump loosing priming or cavitating. If not being done, CO2 should be injected at the pump suction, install effluent needle valve at the exit of the reactor and run the reactor with additional media.
As a test I would also try the effluent line coming out from the bottom of the chamber rather than the top. The higher pressure at the bottom and the reduced bubbles will help with stability regardless if the effluent line is directed downward or upward.

[Creetin]

Thank you!! You touched on a couple things i suggested to reefgeek. About slightly pressure in the system, and the weak spots you described. And the negative pressure in the reactor.
Also touching on the 6 or more thumbscrews, and a solid connection of the pumps via unions instead of the silicone hoses.
I think the sicci pump is a little overkill for this reactor, All thats needed is a 2-300 gph pump for recirc.
The design is very good design, I think slight pressure on this system would be the best/easiest solution. JMO
Thanks again for the tips! They are appreciated.

The Co2 is injected next to the bubble counter via a hole driled at the top of the bubble counter into the main body.
I'll try a couple mods that you suggest, and report on it.
Thanks for your reply.

[jdieck]

See if you can seal it a bit better enough to run a slight pressure in it.

[ricka]

Hey guys,

I think that I got mine to work outside of the sump. I had to get the output to be slightly higher (less than an inch) than the sump. I tried it a bit higher (3 inches) and lower (2 inches) and I had problems until I made it basically level. I'll post a picture later tonight so you can see what I'm talking about.

--Rick

[Creetin]

Cool let me see, I am waiting on ordering a pump. I don't want it to be the solution to this reactor. But i will pursue it if need be.
Thanks.

[ricka]

Here ya go!

http://www.arabian.am/fish/gallery-photo-data//ATI_Reactor/1024/EPSN0007.JPG

http://www.arabian.am/fish/gallery-photo-data//ATI_Reactor/1024/EPSN0008.JPG

http://www.arabian.am/fish/gallery-photo-data//ATI_Reactor/1024/EPSN0009.JPG

--Rick

[ricka]

As you can see, I still don't trust it not to leak but so far it hasn't.

--Rick

[Creetin]

Thanks i'll have to see if i can get someting going like that.
Thanks again.
Alex

[ricka]

I tried running it with no bricks and with two layers of bricks with the same results. basically it would drip for a few seconds then spit out a bunch of water. at this level it seems to drip at a consistent rate.

[hahnmeister]

is it just me, or is anyone else worried about the channel you can see in that pic... all the water bypassed the media it seems.

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10101440#post10101440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
is it just me, or is anyone else worried about the channel you can see in that pic... all the water bypassed the media it seems.
Not a channel in itself but is the internal recirculation pipe IMO located too close to the wall of the chamber which promotes channeling trought the space between the pipe and the wall that is not filled with media.
Another observation is that the upflow is either too high or too turbulent and its creating that turbidity in the reactor chamber.
The issue is that those suspended particles of media are bare surfaces of calcium carbonate that when carried over into the aquarium will promote precipitation of calcium and alkalinity upon them negating part of the addition.

[ricka]

The water isn't normally cloudy. Here's a picture from this morning as well as a video of the unit in action.

http://www.arabian.am/fish/gallery-photo-data//ATI_Reactor/1024/Photo_060807_001.jpg

http://www.arabian.am/fish/gallery-photo-data//ATI_Reactor/1024/Photo_060807_002.jpg

http://www.arabian.am/fish/gallery//ATI_Reactor/Video_060807_001.3g2

--Rick

[jdieck]

That looks better. The drip in the video looks quite slow, how much effluent flow do you have? loos like about 20 to 30 ml/min.
Have you tested the effluent alkalinity? If you do try passing the sample trough a cofee filter paper.

[Creetin]

So you are still using a feed pump?

[ricka]

That's my next thing to try. I'm still using a MJ600 but I'm hoping that I don't need it anymore.

--Rick

[ricka]

So, I've been futzing around with this reactor for the past couple of weeks without a lot of success. It always seems to eventually stop flowing. I've got one last thing to try before I give up and either go back to running it in the sump or to my old reactor. Has anyone had success running the reactor externally?

--Rick

[Creetin]

Well i have not heard from the other guy, Greg told me he was running it externally without problem, I dont think he checks in the forum here. 2 out of 3 not working externally. I am going to try a dosing pump when profilux gets thiers out, Till then i think i will go with my old ca/rx.

[ejocam]

I've been running mine externally since he got them a couple of months ago. The good thing is I have no leaks, but I cannot keep pressure in the reactor to keep a consistent effluent. It keeps on stopping throwing my ph, kh and ca out of wack. I am using a little Rio feed pump but I think it's not sufficient. I would go back to my old one too but I sold it :(

[hahnmeister]

According to Sicce, those pumps are only rated to be submerged. I bet its a heat thing.

[Creetin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10282336#post10282336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
According to Sicce, those pumps are only rated to be submerged. I bet its a heat thing.

Mine is not hotter than any mag pump, I seriously think its not the pump. Eric if you have a dosing pump like Ewan suggested i would use it for the reactor. Theres alot of the same qualitys as the schurans. I bet if ran with a peri pump or the likes would solve all the probs. I am currently running an effluent of 100-120 , and co2 of 80-90 bps. That has kept of with alk and ca, But still needs to be purged every week or two.

[ricka]

Hey guys,

I've gotten close to good several times and I've only been successful when the reactor was in my sump.

My current config consists of using Shuran media (with Zeomag on top) externally with a mini-jet 400 feed pump. For two weeks I tried regulating the flow through the reactor but putting the needle valve on the input to the reactor and it will always eventually slow down. Last night I switched to controlling flow on the output and we'll see how it goes.

I really like the way the pump moves water using the larger media. I see a constant stream of bubbles and I can tell that all of the media is getting some CO2 action. I'll keep you guys posted when I have concluded this test. If it doesn't work after this I'm probably either going to have to fix my old reactor (I dropped it by accident when it was sitting in the garage) or buy another one.

--Rick

[Creetin]

Mine would leak and the pump would stop eventually when i put the valve on the output. It does it every time, and eventually spray water all over. Rick you may have not noticed it if it was in the sump. I am surprised you pump stays running with it on the output.

[ricka]

I ran it this way with the small media with no problems, but Greg did send me a slightly thicker gasket for the pump. Where was the leak?

--Rick

[Creetin]

Mine leaked from the pump connections via the silicone. I had to use zip ties, and it still leaked. The silicone gasket at the top leaked and eventually sprayed water out. I lost 5 gals of water the first time it happened.
The pump gasket was fine, I did get the new one as well from greg.

[hahnmeister]

Well... perhaps I can use this pump externally on a skimmer then if the heat isnt too bad. I suppose, its nothing more than a Quiet One 3000 without all the fancy casing on the outside.

[ricka]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10289441#post10289441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Creetin
Mine leaked from the pump connections via the silicone. I had to use zip ties, and it still leaked. The silicone gasket at the top leaked and eventually sprayed water out. I lost 5 gals of water the first time it happened.
The pump gasket was fine, I did get the new one as well from greg.

I didn't have that problem, but I put those little plastic clamps on each of the 4 ends of the silicone tubes to be sure.

--Rick

[Creetin]

Where did you get the clamps from?
Does aquaticeco sell them?
I
ll have to look. I am still debating on putting it on a pofilux dosing pump. I still have to pony up and buy one.
Hell i have to devote some time and learn how to work the controler first. Another work in progress.

[ricka]

I used the normal plastic hoseclamps that you can get at any LFS. You can also use the metal ones from homedepot if you keep the reactor external.

--Rick

[hahnmeister]

When and if the time comes for any of you to replace the PSK 2500s (they seem to run pretty hot external to me), as it turns out, the Quiet One 3000 is the same pump, but for $40-60 at most places. It just looks different, and has a 1" MPT output, but its the same 40 watt pump, just with a casing for external use, 40 watts, same volute and impeller, made by Sicce for Pentair.

[ejocam]

Just my luck, I broke the imput nipple for the Co2 while taking it apart to clean it. It is beyond repairable. That was an expensive experiment:(

[ricka]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10394670#post10394670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
When and if the time comes for any of you to replace the PSK 2500s (they seem to run pretty hot external to me), as it turns out, the Quiet One 3000 is the same pump, but for $40-60 at most places. It just looks different, and has a 1" MPT output, but its the same 40 watt pump, just with a casing for external use, 40 watts, same volute and impeller, made by Sicce for Pentair.

I figured that they were the same (or very closely related). The QO 3k/4k volute fits into the PSK pumps perfectly.

--Rick

[ricka]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10394708#post10394708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ejocam
Just my luck, I broke the imput nipple for the Co2 while taking it apart to clean it. It is beyond repairable. That was an expensive experiment:(

I bet it can be fixed with a bit of weld on and a drill.

The CO2 intake on this skimmer sucks. They should have used a john guest fitting like the output has.

--Rick

[Creetin]

Yeah a JG fitting and rubber seals with unions for the pump to make it a solid connection. I bet pressurizing the system with 5-10 psi would kick azz.