Aquarium Engineering ACR

[jpas]

Everything is color coded. Blue is all effluent, yellow is all CO2 and red is tank water feed. The solenoids should have a blue & yellow dot indicating which is which. The wires out of the controller should also be color coded

 

[Nep2nRevision3]

Yup, but therein lies the problem, the solenoids are color coded wires out of the controller are not.

 

[jpas]

Lol, I guess this is an issue with hand made products, they’re inconsistent. I’ll check which wire goes where tomorrow.

 

[Nep2nRevision3]

Thanks.

 

[jpas]

 

[jpas]

This is how my controller is wired, but yours maybe different. You can tell by listening for the effluent solenoid triggering at the timers set point

 

[Nep2nRevision3]

Gotcha, exactly what I needed. Not exactly the same controller but my bet is the configuration is going to be the same. I'm really wanting to get this running but this weekend I'm out of town until Sunday morning so maybe, maybe not. At least now I know which goes where! Thanks for the info.

 

[Tim340]

Here my CO2 controller for CR1218 reactor

 

[jpas]

Hey Tim

is this a custom controller made by AE?

Here my CO2 controller for CR1218 reactor

 

[ScubaDan206]

I'll be getting one of these within a few months. I live just a few minutes away from Bill. He likes the idea of having one running close by. He may even get me to test out some of his new upgrades to the calcium reactor. My tanks are currently empty and rebuilding so I will be starting from scratch.
My system is about 450 gallons. Display upstairs is a 120 gallon that will be SPS [acropora] only.

 

[Tim340]

Hey Tim

is this a custom controller made by AE?

yes

 

[biecacka]

So Tim, he built that for you and now your GEO reactor is automated?

Corey

 

[yepreef]

Good Luck!!!

It is pretty simple to setup and purge, Let me know if you have any questions. I have my ACR running great, ALK is super stable. My SPS are already responding with growth and coloration.

Can you post a picture of ur set up? got mine today an all assembled but doesn’t know which line is for tank water feeding and which line goes into co2 regulators and which line goes back into tank.
Thanks

 

[DangerDave]

I just ordered an 8” ACR from Bill yesterday. I’m very excited, and knowing me I’m sure the wait is going to kill me.

 

[Lawpoke87]

Is there a guide for the size of tanks the 6”, 8” and 10” are rated for ?

 

[DangerDave]

So I should be getting my ACR 8" delivered in a few weeks. This is my first calcium reactor, can anyone make a regulator suggestion? The prices on Amazon go vary so much, I'm not sure what I need.

Dave

 

[BrianReefer]

How do I purge the air from the reactor after first setting it up? I'm not clear on what I temporarily disconnect to purge it. I think Bill said to unplug the "CO2 to Reactor" yellow tube below, and plug that into a new line that goes back up to the sump, and let that run for 10 min, is that correct? I'm confused on why that helps, since isn't that line meant to provide CO2 into the reactor? Why would water ever flow through it and why would that line help with a purge? Confused (this is my first reactor)! Guidance pls!!

 

[DangerDave]

I just ordered an 8” ACR from Bill yesterday. I’m very excited, and knowing me I’m sure the wait is going to kill me.

The wait is still killing me... I’m at almost 10 weeks now

 

[Dennis Cartier]

The wait is still killing me... I’m at almost 10 weeks now

I just received my unit this past Wednesday. I ordered it midway through January. My advice would be to check in with Bill periodically by phone rather than just relying on email.

Dennis

 

[Dennis Cartier]

It is going to be awhile before I can have my ACR on an actual tank as my sump is delayed. I thought it worthwhile to set it up for a leak test now, so anything can be addressed while I wait for the sump.

I rigged up some pumps and buckets and something for the ACR to sit in in case of leaks. It was good planning on my part expecting leaks. The o-ring that the lid sealed against had a bit of swarf on it and it leaked a lot. Removed the lid, cleaned up the o-ring area and voila, no leaks. Well, no leaks until I was trying to diagnose if the air pump I was using had enough pressure and had one of the CO2 lines off. It was lying on the floor for a minute or two before I noticed the water level in the reactor going down and then the small pool forming. So much for planning ahead.

I wanted to run the reactor with all functions being tested, but the air pump was just not up to the job. Then I remembered that my tank build uses pneumatics and I had a small air compressor on hand to test those with. Problem solved. Everything worked as expected. Bleeding the trapped air (CO2), caused the controller to refill the CO2 reservoir.

While snapping a few photos to document the test. I caught my lab assistant trying to make off with some lab equipment (paper towels)

I can hardly wait to fill this baby with Reborn and get it on a tank.

Dennis