Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by awais98

Had it, did not work well for cont water change and had sold it expensive on eBay


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What was the issue? That's what I'll be using it for but on small tanks.

[hkgar]

As I understand it one of the heads needs to have compression adjustment so that they can be calibrated. Even though the RPM is the same for both heads, small difference in compression can be problematic. I use the Apex DOS pumps for AWC as each pump is individually calibrated.

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by hkgar

As I understand it one of the heads needs to have compression adjustment so that they can be calibrated. Even though the RPM is the same for both heads, small difference in compression can be problematic. I use the Apex DOS pumps for AWC as each pump is individually calibrated.

This head type has occlusion adjustments for each cartridge. I currently use two easyload heads for an awc system and have done so on and off for years. Ot works well as long as you don't have any significant backpressure on one side and not the other.

[awais98]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

What was the issue? That's what I'll be using it for but on small tanks.

It was difficult calibrating. The LS 14 tubing would also get stuck. Tried silicone tubing too, was more hassle and not reliable for me.
Ls14... and different tiny connectors... eventually Salt water, dirt would clog it... and back pressure... loosing calibration

For cont slow water change, I now use easy load heads...3 on same motor, much easier to calibrate and consist.

Besides that it’s much more expensive... and easy load relatively cheaper and more reliable


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[m12345y]

"The only thing I would recommend above the AP Carbon Doser is the Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser add-on box with a digital screen attached to a Harris 15psi two stage regulator. As far as I am concerned this is the ultimate hobby regulator setup"

What is the add-on box?

Do you mean to buy:
1) https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/carbo...lant-life.html
2) Harris KH1052 Model 702 2 Stage Regulator, CO2, 15 psi
3) the add-on box (???)



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[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by awais98

It was difficult calibrating. The LS 14 tubing would also get stuck. Tried silicone tubing too, was more hassle and not reliable for me.
Ls14... and different tiny connectors... eventually Salt water, dirt would clog it... and back pressure... loosing calibration

For cont slow water change, I now use easy load heads...3 on same motor, much easier to calibrate and consist.

Besides that it’s much more expensive... and easy load relatively cheaper and more reliable


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Hmm, that's interesting. I talked to their engineers and they said it would work great in continuous duty. Though, I won't be running ls14, I'm using microbore tubing. I bought 10ft of the tube and will put retainers on. The microbe tubing sets for this head already come with tubing stops that hold them in place... maybe that would have been the smarter route, if I have trouble I'll give it a try.

Do you happen to remember the part numbers you had?

I would have gone normal heads but I'm doing changes on 6 tanks, I'd need 12 heads and 3 drives... All my gear for this setup is new, direct from cp... so I'm hoping I can get it to work or there will be a very nice and expensive setup on ebay...

You're point about saltwater and the tiny connections isn't something I've given much thought too. Will need to figure out a good filter setup...

[awais98]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Hmm, that's interesting. I talked to their engineers and they said it would work great in continuous duty. Though, I won't be running ls14, I'm using microbore tubing. I bought 10ft of the tube and will put retainers on. The microbe tubing sets for this head already come with tubing stops that hold them in place... maybe that would have been the smarter route, if I have trouble I'll give it a try.

Do you happen to remember the part numbers you had?

I would have gone normal heads but I'm doing changes on 6 tanks, I'd need 12 heads and 3 drives... All my gear for this setup is new, direct from cp... so I'm hoping I can get it to work or there will be a very nice and expensive setup on ebay...

You're point about saltwater and the tiny connections isn't something I've given much thought too. Will need to figure out a good filter setup...

This is what I had in the pic.

With the proper micro tubing set it may work perfectly for you. Keep me posted.
I’d just be worried about them clogging, especially the tiny connectors.





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[m12345y]

"The only thing I would recommend above the AP Carbon Doser is the Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser add-on box with a digital screen attached to a Harris 15psi two stage regulator. As far as I am concerned this is the ultimate hobby regulator setup"

What is the add-on box?

Do you mean to buy all three items below:
1) Aquarium Plant Life CARBONDOSER ELECTRONIC CO2 REGULATOR WITH JOHN GUEST FITTING
2) Harris KH1052 Model 702 2 Stage Regulator, CO2, 15 psi
3) the add-on box (???)

[IUfan]

I have a GEO reactor, and I keep having an issue where water from the bubble counter flows back into the Co2 feed line, then the Co2 struggles to push the water back and it can sometimes block Co2 from getting into the reactor.

Is this normal? Gas is set a 10 psi, bubble count is 5s.

What could I be doing wrong?

[Vinny Kreyling]

First thing is a check valve in the CO2 line.

[IUfan]

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

First thing is a check valve in the CO2 line.

Isn’t that what the grey thing is, bottom left of the picture?


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[2una]

Guys with your masterflex units is it possible to programs differant flow rates for differant times of the day? Or is there a model you know of that can do that?

[Vinny Kreyling]

Looking closer it could be -- is it flowing in the right direction?
Blow into the end to check.
It could be bad if water flows backward.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

Looking closer it could be -- is it flowing in the right direction?
Blow into the end to check.
It could be bad if water flows backward.

There is an arrow on the check valve to show the flow.

[tkeracer619]

Make sure your reactor isn't clogged!

Are you using the masterflex to pull through the reactor?

[scuzy]

Also if that a soft clear tubing? Thought those are meant to use hard rodi tubing to keep air tight? Clear tubing's might not be rigid enough for the push connect.


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[scuzy]

Originally Posted by 2una

Guys with your masterflex units is it possible to programs differant flow rates for differant times of the day? Or is there a model you know of that can do that?

You can hook up a 0-10v line to the masterflex to change the rpms of the pump.


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[IUfan]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Make sure your reactor isn't clogged!

Are you using the masterflex to pull through the reactor?

I’m pulling through the reactor, don’t think it’s clogged, I’m still getting some Co2 in, but it fades because it struggles to push the water out of the tube into the bubble counter, I have had to keep turning it up.

Originally Posted by scuzy

Also if that a soft clear tubing? Thought those are meant to use hard rodi tubing to keep air tight? Clear tubing's might not be rigid enough for the push connect.


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I bought the tubing from aquarium plants, so long ago, but I’m sure it was the recommended tubing for the push Connect style regulator.

-

I wonder if the check valve has just gone bad?



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[2una]

Originally Posted by scuzy

You can hook up a 0-10v line to the masterflex to change the rpms of the pump.


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Via apex okay thank you

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by IUfan

I’m pulling through the reactor, don’t think it’s clogged, I’m still getting some Co2 in, but it fades because it struggles to push the water out of the tube into the bubble counter, I have had to keep turning it up.





I bought the tubing from aquarium plants, so long ago, but I’m sure it was the recommended tubing for the push Connect style regulator.

-

I wonder if the check valve has just gone bad?



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This is a symptom i've seen of a clogged reactor. If the pressure inside the reactor is high it doesn't want gas to flow. You may want to make sure everything is flowing smoothly.

You're getting the right amount of effluent out of the reactor?

[Vinny Kreyling]

Turn off the gas to check flow in a no pressure situation.

[IUfan]

Just tested the flow.

The CP is set at 50ml/min, in 2 mins had 100 ml in the cup. CP appears to be flowing fine.

Turned the gas off, flow was fine. - the Co2 feed line filled with water up to the check valve and then when I turned the gas back on, it couldn’t push the water back out at all, had to crank up the bubble count to push the water out and get bubbles again.


I just used a standard John Guest 1/4 push to connect fitting between the Co2 in and the bubble counter, could that be an issue?


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[Vinny Kreyling]

http://www.smartproducts.com/check_v...00_modular.php

This is directly under my bubble counter so no water gets into the gas line.
IF there is too much pressure in the reactor I have problems pushing the gas.
I run @ 5 PSI with a slower flow than you. I like RO tubing better than flexible because it seats better into the fittings.

[IUfan]

I have about 6” of tube between the Bubble counter and the check valve - could that be an issue?

Given the fact that when I turned the gas off, water filled the tube between the bubble counter and the check valve, does that indicate that there is an air leak in that section? - Given that the check valve should trap the Co2 on one ends, and the water should trap the Co2 at the bubble counter, so the Co2 should stay in the tube an not allow water to fill it? - is this thinking correct, or does the check valve only stop water?


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[scuzy]

So out tubing with rodi tubing and check.


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