Solenoid Valve Calcium Reactor Idea

[EasyEd77]

Does anyone know of an adjustable solenoid valve that will work for effluent control on a calcium reactor? As of now, I am using a John Guest needle valve and once a week I purge it because the flow starts to slow down.

I had an idea of using a solenoid valve that I could set to a drip of 50 ML a minute and once a day have it open full for a minute to purge it and then close back to the set point to keep the flow steady. I don't know if such a thing exists but if it does can you point me in the right direction.

[RokleM]

Problem is most solenoids used by the hobby are not salt water safe.

[AcroporAddict]

It is the whole saltwater and metal thing. I use these plastic needle valves, and they need to be adjusted once in a while, but require much less maintenance that a micro ball valve or a pinch type valve:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24525&catid=662

[RokleM]

Same one I use.

[EasyEd77]

That is the same one I use and I need to purge it weekly or it will clog. How many ML a minute are you passing through yours that you rarely need to touch it? Also, what PH are you running your reactor at?

[AcroporAddict]

That is the same one I use and I need to purge it weekly or it will clog. How many ML a minute are you passing through yours that you rarely need to touch it? Also, what PH are you running your reactor at?

GEO 818 reactor, about 60 ml/min effluent rate (almost, but not quite a stream, fast drop). Controller set at 6.5 w/hysteresis of .03.

[chadfarmer]

Sounds like you need to open your effluent up a little

[RokleM]

Agree. If it's too slow and clogging, one solution is to open it up a bit more. In order to do that raise the pH slightly so that your parameters are still in line.

[AcroporAddict]

You might also try a vinegar soak of the needle valve.

[tkeracer619]

what the heck happened to your masterflex????

[bag151]

Swap for a Peristaltic pump and do away with the needle valve, best decision I ever made. I found a Digital Masterflex on Ebay to keep the cost down.