Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[GXPKY]

Ended up getting a great deal on this bad boy, gotta love the fact it doesn't look like it was used

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[Jonnywhoop]

10g tank
7.5 sump

47.5 ml flow rate
1.2 psi
10 seconds per bubble

Display dKh: 10.19
Ph in Reactor: 7.4ish

Tank alk has been on the dot for the past few days, but I am wondering why I am still getting co2 bubble accumulation at the top of my first chamber? It's slow but the bubbles are merging into one giant bubble. I feel that I am maxing out on my flow rate already? Any suggestions of how to have my media absorb the co2?


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[slief]

Originally Posted by Jonnywhoop

10g tank
7.5 sump

47.5 ml flow rate
1.2 psi
10 seconds per bubble

Display dKh: 10.19
Ph in Reactor: 7.4ish

Tank alk has been on the dot for the past few days, but I am wondering why I am still getting co2 bubble accumulation at the top of my first chamber? It's slow but the bubbles are merging into one giant bubble. I feel that I am maxing out on my flow rate already? Any suggestions of how to have my media absorb the co2?


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Given the pH in your reactor, I tend to think you are getting air in the reactor and not Co2. Excess Co2 would likely result in much lower pH levels in the reactor. I would double check all the connections and fittings as you might have a vacuum leak.

[AquamanE]

Any one using Kaomer fs1 continuous duti peristalsis pump?

Know tubing size and source to get replacements?

[Stickboy97]

FYI I just posted several Masterflex 7523-60 Brushless model pumps for sale here on the forum.

[mic209]

Will a fixed 20rpm be a good choice for a calcium reactor? What would the ml/minute be with LS17? I currently run a fast drip rate, almost a steady stream on my effluent line.

[slief]

Originally Posted by mic209

Will a fixed 20rpm be a good choice for a calcium reactor? What would the ml/minute be with LS17? I currently run a fast drip rate, almost a steady stream on my effluent line.

The flow rate will depend on the head being used but if it's a Easy Load I or Easy Load II, you would be looking at about 2.8ml per RPM so figure about 56ml/min.

You're only way to tune the reactor with a fixed RPM will be via the tubing size and or Co2 rate. I'd much prefer a variable speed one so you can really dial it in since different media has different pH requirements for proper dissolution.

[mic209]

Looks like these pumps use a lot of power. I just picked up a 7543-20 not realizing it uses 1.2 amps.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by mic209

Looks like these pumps use a lot of power. I just picked up a 7543-20 not realizing it uses 1.2 amps.

I just checked my 7523-90 at .18 amps and about 7 watts and running at 55 ml/min

[greengeco82]

Originally Posted by mic209

Looks like these pumps use a lot of power. I just picked up a 7543-20 not realizing it uses 1.2 amps.

These pumps are capable of running multiple heads (I've seen 4 heads) at one time. While I dont know how many amps I draw, I run 1 head. My speed is 2.5 on a dial that varies 1-10. Basically, I'm drawing a small fraction of the the amps it' rated for.

[scuzy]

That's usually at full draw amps not if your running fractions of the max draw. Mines showing 11watts

[greengeco82]

I don't necessarily agree with the 6-600 rpm units that were recommended in the beginning of this thread. I have both a 1-100 rpm and a 6-600 rpm motor. With the LS17 tubing in my EasyLoad 1 head, the 6-600 rpm motor was too fast. The speed selection was on my dial was between .5 and 1.5. It was very hard to make small adjustments. I have since switched the head and tubing over to my 1-100 rpm motor. Now I have an easier time making small adjustments. I now am running my dial between 2.5 and 3 (which makes my effluent just shy of a steady stream).

[scuzy]

That's because you have the analog version if you were using a digital one the 6-600 works great.

[slief]

Originally Posted by greengeco82

I don't necessarily agree with the 6-600 rpm units that were recommended in the beginning of this thread. I have both a 1-100 rpm and a 6-600 rpm motor. With the LS17 tubing in my EasyLoad 1 head, the 6-600 rpm motor was too fast. The speed selection was on my dial was between .5 and 1.5. It was very hard to make small adjustments. I have since switched the head and tubing over to my 1-100 rpm motor. Now I have an easier time making small adjustments. I now am running my dial between 2.5 and 3 (which makes my effluent just shy of a steady stream).

The reason that a 600 rpm motor is recommended is because you have less wear and tear on the motor. The 600 RPM motors are the same as the 100 RPM motors but they have a grear box on them which means that at 10 RPM at the head, you are turning 10 RPM on the motor. On the 600 RPM pump, at 10 RPM at the head, you are turning at 1.66 RPM on the motor itself. This means that the brushes will last much longer on the 600 RPM units and the motors themselves will last longer too. At 6 RPM with an Easy Load head running LS17 tubing, you are flowing about 16.8 ml/min which is a VERY slow drip. I think your issue is the pump you chose. The digital ones make it much easier to fine tune the flow then the older ones with the little knob that you turn. Mine is controllable from .5 RPM to 600 RPM with the push of a button. I can make adjustments in .001 ml increaments and that makes fine tuning the reactor a dream. Granted, mine (7523-80) is a much newer model but even the older digital ones make fine tuning the reactor as easy as can be as it's done accurately with the push of a button in minute increments.

[greengeco82]

So, I reread the recommendation. It is for digital brushless. I dont have digital or brushless. I didn't purchase them because they were about 3 times the cost. So, I'll rephrase. I find that the 6-600 motor is geared too high to make small adjustments when using a non digital and brushed motor. I have switched to a 1-100 non brushed, non digital motor and am happier. Now I can make fine adjustments much easier.

My recommendation is for Non Digital that is NOT brushless with LS17 tubing. I have bought both 1-100 RPM and 6:600 RPM. My 6:600 RPM is sitting in a box. I am very happy with my current setup.

[slief]

Originally Posted by greengeco82

So, I reread the recommendation. It is for digital brushless. I dont have digital or brushless. I didn't purchase them because they were about 3 times the cost. So, I'll rephrase. I find that the 6-600 motor is geared too high to make small adjustments when using a non digital and brushed motor. I have switched to a 1-100 non brushed, non digital motor and am happier. Now I can make fine adjustments much easier.

My recommendation is for Non Digital that is NOT brushless with LS17 tubing. I have bought both 1-100 RPM and 6:600 RPM. My 6:600 RPM is sitting in a box. I am very happy with my current setup.

The recommendation is for digital. Both brushed and brushless. The older brushed models are the same interface as brushless just like the newer digital units. Brushless is better for the sole reason of being a maintenance free motor that is nearly silent where as the bushed models make a humming noise when the motor is running. That is why a brushless model is the best choice if you can afford it but digital regardless of being a brushed model allows for easier control. Curiously, what model 600 RPM Masterflex do you have?

[Haksar]

Guys need your advise - how do I mount or stack two masterflex standard 7021-24 pump heads . After fixing the tubing and mounting to the pump the head doesn't turn.
I am using a 7023-40 pump . Also how do I start the prime for these heads .

I checked the tubing many times and it has been loaded properly but
I am not getting any water to get pulled . Please help .

[Bpb]

Can someone show me the Pharmed tubing that matches the masterflex LS15 tubing? My head doesn't accept the LS17 like everyone uses so I've been using the clear cole Parmer LS15 tubing and I feel like it doesn't last very long. I understand the pharmed tubing lasts longer


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[scuzy]

Pharmed ones should be tan beige color

[BillFW]

Originally Posted by Bpb

Can someone show me the Pharmed tubing that matches the masterflex LS15 tubing? My head doesn't accept the LS17 like everyone uses so I've been using the clear cole Parmer LS15 tubing and I feel like it doesn't last very long. I understand the pharmed tubing lasts longer


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I believe the Cole-Parmer Norprene tubing is tan. Sounds like you have the wrong tubing.

https://www.masterflex.com/tech-arti...technical-data

[greengeco82]

[QUOTE=Bpb;25208444]Can someone show me the Pharmed tubing that matches the masterflex LS15 tubing? My head doesn't accept the LS17 like everyone uses so I've been using the clear cole Parmer LS15 tubing and I feel like it doesn't last very long. I understand the pharmed tubing lasts longer

I believe this is it, but I am not 100%.
They both have 3/16" ID. Here is the link-----> https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/it...5400&catid=634

[scuzy]

That's the tubing I'm using for ls17 tygon pharmed works great.

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by Haksar

Guys need your advise - how do I mount or stack two masterflex standard 7021-24 pump heads . After fixing the tubing and mounting to the pump the head doesn't turn.
I am using a 7023-40 pump . Also how do I start the prime for these heads .

I checked the tubing many times and it has been loaded properly but
I am not getting any water to get pulled . Please help .

You don't need to prime them, they have enough suction that they prime themselves. Stacking heads is easy, as long as they are correct you just mount them and the drive shafts continue from one to another. If the motor is turning and the head is not then something else is going on. Care to post pics or explain what happened if you got it fixed already?

[scuzy]

Anyone know what motor over current means in a masterflex?


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[Krazie4Acans]

It means that the motor is drawing more current than it's rated limits. This usually means a bearing has gone bad or the head is frozen or stuck and it's taking more power to turn is than it should.