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11/11/2017, 07:55 AM | #1 |
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how do I use an old Ca reactor as a second chamber?
I am planning on using an old Korallin calcium reactor as a second chamber, with the goal of raising the effluent pH a bit.
Question: is there any reason to use the circulation pump on the old reactor? Or, should I just hook up the in and out, cap off the CO2, and let it run? Or... should I pull off all the old plumbing for the bubble chamber and circulation pump to avoid dead spots (least attractive option due to increased work and ruining it reactor).
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11/11/2017, 08:08 AM | #2 |
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The water will follow the path of least resistance, if you didn't have the pump running and just capped off the CO2, you wouldn't get 100% flow through the media, also would probably run into hydrogen sulfide issues with dead space water. If it were me, I would sell the Korallin as is or trade it for something more appropriate. You can easily make your own 2 camber with a container, ridgid tubing and some silicone.
Also have seen ppl use old Add on DI canisters as 2nd chambers too, Just fill the cartridge with fine grain ARM instead of DI resin. Hope this helps
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"I glue animals to rocks" Current Tank Info: 80gal build in the works |
11/11/2017, 10:38 AM | #3 |
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I made one for 36 bucks without ruining an old reactor.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2657434 You just need a chamber with a lid, with 2 john guest fittings to put anywhere inline with your effluent. No circ pump is needed. |
11/11/2017, 10:41 AM | #4 |
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Thanks. I have the same thoughts. I might just try it with both pumps running and do something more energy efficient later.
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11/11/2017, 10:44 AM | #5 | ||
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11/11/2017, 10:46 AM | #6 |
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11/11/2017, 12:04 PM | #7 |
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I think you could make it work well enough, but I'd probably just sell it and turn that cash into a cheaper reactor and a few frags.
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11/11/2017, 02:02 PM | #8 |
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You could try using the reactor as is, but I agree that dead spots might become an issue. If so, you could disconnect it, though. I wouldn't ruin a calcium reactor to make a second chamber, though. I agree that a DI canister should be fine.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
11/11/2017, 03:07 PM | #9 |
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Should the size of the second chamber have any relationship to the size of the first chamber? I am using a Reef Octopus CR5000 9" Calcium Reactor. Could a DI canister function ok with this?
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
11/11/2017, 03:14 PM | #10 |
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That's an interesting question. I hadn't realized that your reactor was that big. If I had a canister around, I'd give it a shot, but it does seem very small to do much. You probably would need something bigger. Sorry about that.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
11/11/2017, 03:25 PM | #11 |
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Nothing to be sorry about (do you prefer Jon or Jonathon?), I hadn't previously brought it up.
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
11/11/2017, 03:40 PM | #12 |
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I'm with bertoni, way to small to be effective.
I built one that holds between 5 and 6 qts of media to go with my GEO. That holds close to that amount of media. Later I will post test results showing effluent PH verses effluent PH leaving second chamber. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2657434 I thought about 2 ro 10" filter housing plumbed with a 1/4" line going through the media to the bottom, but I'm glad I made my own for under 40 bucks. |
11/11/2017, 05:10 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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Jonathan Bertoni |
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11/11/2017, 05:29 PM | #14 |
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For reference
my effluent is 6.85 currently leaving first chamber my effluent is 7.25 leaving second up flow chamber with 5qts of media. GEO 6/18 reactor set up about a bubble a second and effluent at a fast drip to small stream. |
11/12/2017, 08:01 AM | #15 |
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That's cool outy - great work! What is the alkalinity of the two effluents? Did it make any difference there?
I'm using a GEO 818 on a reef with some monster SPS - and barely keeping up these days. Pushing the reactor at full capacity - effluent pH 6.6 with the max bubble and flow rate that it will take without gassing out , the tank pH is running about 7.6. So... I will need a pretty big secondary chamber to make an impact. Selling the old reactor instead of modifying it is the sensible idea - thanks for talking some sense in to me guys!
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11/12/2017, 08:05 AM | #16 |
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Outy... where did you get that cookie jar. I see that 2 gallon cookie jars are available. I might copy your design - otherwise looking at a $250.00 GEO secondary chamber.
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11/12/2017, 12:35 PM | #17 |
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Under the sink for ten years, I was just guessing at size.
The top on mine opens up to 6" and the cap has an o ring. If you clone, just go to plumbing store and but the 6" threaded end on one side coupler, and but the O0ring cap. Then if you go to a thrift store you can match up size. Key to it all was using dremel to sand glass so the epoxy would get a good bond. 5 minute epoxy would work just as good if you are quick. |
11/12/2017, 12:36 PM | #18 |
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Bubble Magus makes a second chamber for like 69.99 I got mine from fish tanks direct. Google then.
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11/12/2017, 12:43 PM | #19 |
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By the way a 6" well cap fits right on the black threaded coupler fitting. It could have been done all plastic, but I wanted to save money and see the media
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11/12/2017, 12:45 PM | #20 |
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11/12/2017, 02:45 PM | #21 | |
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Quote:
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
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11/12/2017, 02:57 PM | #22 |
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11/12/2017, 04:10 PM | #23 |
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Yup, any leak detected and my return, skimmer, ATS pump, and ATO pump all instantly shut down.
And I get an email notification. https://www.neptunesystems.com/produ...detection-ald/ Is it the leak detection or controllers you did not know existed?
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
11/12/2017, 05:05 PM | #24 |
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Leak.
been doing this for 25 ish years, never had to worry about a leak, so I never researched it. I have a PH controller on the ca reactor, and I have little faith in it. Usually just eyeball flow and co2 buibbles by eye matched to what the tank needs. |
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