The ReefBox Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 So noticing some inconsistency with the effluent in my reactor by supplying water from return pump on manifold . Thinking bout just adding sep pump to supply water. Any thoughts on size? It's a GEO 18 so larger than normal but not huge Thought? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beer503 Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 818? I think manufacture recs maxijet 1200? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share Posted February 7, 2016 Ok is that what you have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beer503 Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share Posted February 7, 2016 Yeah checked the site and that's what they recommend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caolewis Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 If u have ur main pump on and off alot for feeding, better run separate maxject 1200 dedicate for Ca reactor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share Posted February 7, 2016 If u have ur main pump on and off alot for feeding, better run separate maxject 1200 dedicate for Ca reactor I do not shut it off at all but I have to adjust effluent all the time And I have the brs needle valve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattv Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 I'm going to try using 1 head on my doser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattv Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 I'm going to try using 1 head on my doser. Not sure how well it will work but worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share Posted February 7, 2016 I'm going to try using 1 head on my doser. Not sure how well it will work but worth a try. To feed your CA reactor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattv Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 To feed your CA reactor? You don't think it will work? Was just thinking it would be more consistent. Seams like every time I get mine dialed in its time to add media or gas and I start all over again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattv Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Plus my effluent runs a broken stream so not a ton of flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share Posted February 7, 2016 Plus my effluent runs a broken stream so not a ton of flow. Guess all depends how big your reactor and pump are, what kind of media your using as it can change how much flow through you get. But heck worth a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 If you can figure this out, let me. know. I've been having quite the battle dialing in my reactor specifically because I can't get my effluent consistent. I'm running it off my return pump, but it's always needing adjustments. I only run it on a steady drip, but after a couple days it will slow way down, sometimes even stopping. Super frustrating for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share Posted February 7, 2016 If you can figure this out, let me. know. I've been having quite the battle dialing in my reactor specifically because I can't get my effluent consistent. I'm running it off my return pump, but it's always needing adjustments. I only run it on a steady drip, but after a couple days it will slow way down, sometimes even stopping. Super frustrating for sure. Exactly what's happening with mine and thing it has to do with being hooked into the return pump that is why I am going back to auxiliary pump. When I had a dedicated rector pump it was flawless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattv Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 I have tried the aqualifter, manifold from the main pump and many different small pumps. Always the same, needs adjustment after a short period of time. I use reborn media in a big dual chamber reef octopus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 I run a sicce 1.5, reduced down to 1/4" tubing, with a tee that allows majority bypass back into the sump. That way I've got pump pressure at all times, but not over pressuring my reactor, and making my needle valve so sensitive. I read it and saw details online somewhere when I was setting my ca reactor up. Works pretty good for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 I run a sicce 1.5, reduced down to 1/4" tubing, with a tee that allows majority bypass back into the sump. That way I've got pump pressure at all times, but not over pressuring my reactor, and making my needle valve so sensitive. I read it and saw details online somewhere when I was setting my ca reactor up. Works pretty good for me Can you post a picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 How are you guys adjusting your effluent flow? Before or after the reactor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beer503 Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Mine is after reactor with vertex needle valve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 How are you guys adjusting your effluent flow? Before or after the reactor?After the reactor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Ok good, I've seen a few people have inconsistent reactor flow from trying to limit the flow on the incoming side instead of the outgoing. If you have a controller turning your c02 off and on that can also cause inconsistent flow from the reactor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 One advantage of a separate pump... You can have APEX turn it off if the PH crashes in the reactor. This could possibly prevent a crash. Another possible advantage... It is not susceptible to pressure changes in anything else on the manifold. I have been using this 12 dollar pump with good results, steady flow. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LWSPLS0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage It is cheap to have a backup pump too at this price. Arson makes an excellent point. If your pressure is fluctuating for any reason such as: - Regulator - Solenoid opening/closing That could cause fluctuating flow also as the pressure inside the reactor fluctuates the pressure on the feed pump fluctuates also. I dunno, a good dual stage regulator really makes a big difference on pressure fluctuation. Worse case when I am out of tune, the solenoid only runs every 10 minutes or so. When needle valve is well tuned for the target PH, it can go for hours or even days without toggling the solenoid. This thread is great if you like DIY: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2461771 If you don't, wanareef makes them locally and I hear they are top notch. Feeling kind of dumb lucky, my flow is very steady for long periods of time... I have plenty of 'other' problems to deal with.. Sharing for what its worth in case someone can get some ideas from this info... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 You don't think it will work? Was just thinking it would be more consistent. Seams like every time I get mine dialed in its time to add media or gas and I start all over again. Hey Matt, On a similar note I tried using a dosing pump head to feed kalk. Even added a PWM controller on it to control pump speed and flow. Put that on an apex outlet and ran it periodically to hit the target flow. It was very precise, which was awesome. The downside for me is that the dosing heads I had did not last for more than a month or two. They were easy and low cost to change, but not always predictable. It is retired now for that reason. I am sure you have seen the RC threads where folks have the high end 400 dollar plus peristaltic pumps. Give unlimited reef resources those would sure be nice. If you can make the dosing pump work that is a huge win... If you want my pump housing with the pwm speed controller shoot a pm and its yours. Heck I see the 4 head Jebao pumps are 69 bucks now on amazon, unreal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Hey Matt, On a similar note I tried using a dosing pump head to feed kalk. Even added a PWM controller on it to control pump speed and flow. Put that on an apex outlet and ran it periodically to hit the target flow. It was very precise, which was awesome. The downside for me is that the dosing heads I had did not last for more than a month or two. They were easy and low cost to change, but not always predictable. It is retired now for that reason. I am sure you have seen the RC threads where folks have the high end 400 dollar plus peristaltic pumps. Give unlimited reef resources those would sure be nice. If you can make the dosing pump work that is a huge win... If you want my pump housing with the pwm speed controller shoot a pm and its yours. Heck I see the 4 head Jebao pumps are 69 bucks now on amazon, unreal! I am using a wannareef built regulator and adjust after the reactor as well I think the issue is from coming out of the manifold it throttled down because to much inlet pressure can cause leaks and or crack reactor. Jeremy I just read a good article about using perilistic pumps for reactors and says it can be done but requires a high end doser than can deliver 20-150 ml per minute so the cheap stuff is out of the equation 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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