Calcium reactor drip valve

[Joker79]

I'm having issues with regulating my effluent from my reactor.
What's the most reliable valve or combination I can use?

 

[TUSI]

What kind of problem are you having.

 

[Joker79]

Its not consistent. The drip rate will drip at a certain pace and then change.

 

[TUSI]

Yes that is a very common problem with mine too. Tried different valves and the issue is the valve gets calcified and it slows the drip. I adjust mine every day.

 

[Joker79]

Oh boy... Which one do you use?

 

[TUSI]

My reactor is vertex but the valve is a cheap plastic one that came with it. Changed to few different ones and they all did the same. Try to keep it clean by opening it full once in a while in a jar to clear anything in it. Hope someone have a better answer than me cause I'm in the same boat as you

 

[Live Water]

I do the same but stopped having issues after a few months, I've heard needle valves work a lot better, but have not tried one yet.

 

[TUSI]

I do the same but stopped having issues after a few months, I've heard needle valves work a lot better, but have not tried one yet.

That's what mine is and it's the same thing. They work good when it's new media but when it starts getting mushy it starts to get clogged.

 

[Joker79]

If you guys could provide pics that would be sweet.
I'm thinking of using my DOS to control the drip rate if it's possible.
I'm using the aquamaxx star S2 reactor and the tlf valve.

 

[Bpb]

The dos isn't intended for 24/7 use. It's been done but it takes some seriously complex code and a lot of testing to fine tune it to where it runs intermittently, but the reactor ph stays consistent. Not advisable. Ultimately the most stable way to regulate carx flow is through the use of a Cole Parmer masterflex peristaltic pump. It's a medical grade adjustable speed pump designed for 24/7 use, has a brushless motor. Can be found on the used market for around $250. Not cheap but the best way to go. Just google search "masterflex calcium reactor"

 

[hybridazn]

Brs sells a needle valve that is perfect for thus application

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hayward-needle-valve-1-08860acb2e1ce88385ffe4badc802922.html

They also sell a vertex brand one that is about half the price

 

[Live Water]

Brs sells a needle valve that is perfect for thus application

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hayward-needle-valve-1-08860acb2e1ce88385ffe4badc802922.html

They also sell a vertex brand one that is about half the price

That's is a pricy valve but it's intriguing, might have to get one

 

[Live Water]

Brs sells a needle valve that is perfect for thus application

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hayward-needle-valve-1-08860acb2e1ce88385ffe4badc802922.html

They also sell a vertex brand one that is about half the price

That's is a pricy valve but it's intriguing, might have to get one

 

[zoomonster]

Try the vertex... cheaper and its available with Murloc fittings (john guest/speed). Also available with barbed fittings. Think BRS is out but Aquacave has them too. There's a video here where the guy has the same exact same setup I do but he uses that valve for a constant flow, no clog method. I still have a Murloc gate valve from a RO/DI backflush kit but I'm getting a vertex myself.

 

[flamehawk1613]

I use the constant flow and love it . I battled with that drip rate for years and now it is set and forget.

 

[zoomonster]

Yeah not too long ago lost a bunch of SPS (frags and colonies) and post mortem has it as alk issues most likely undetected big swing with blame square on CaRx and never reliable drip. I've gone to the constant flow method, and tracking alk pretty much daily. So far so good and survivors in full recovery mode (and new stuff doing good). Should have picked it up sooner when the monti's took the hit first followed by some acro's but live and learn. Monti Cap is pretty much the perfect canary in the coal mine for alk issues. Grow like weeds but react quickly to alk issues.

 

[gcrawford]

This small valve came with my geo reactor and can be found on eBay I believe or from geo. Has never clogged and is close to the reactor. I have two reactors in service on two systems and both use these with no issues.

 

[zoomonster]

LOL sorry but that valve is the root of all evil. Hard to adjust, constantly clogs and never maintains a drip. For a stream maybe but steady drip is virtually impossible. You might be the first person ever to claim that's a good valve. Had mine close to two years (same Geo reactor) and nothing but trouble. Until I switched to continuous stream I was ready to put an overpriced peristalic pump on the reactor to get a reliable flow.

 

[Bpb]

Interesting video. Removes the expensive masterflex pump from the equation. If you have a quality solenoid valve like a Burkert, you're rated for up to a billion on/off cycles. And even switching on and off over and over will still get you years out of that valve. A solenoid in a constant open position will actually overheat and fail faster than one that cycles anyway. It's using power to open. Closed is the resting state. Id be tempted to try this method. I'll be doing some googling. Anyone else on here use the constant flow method?

 

[Jainc]

I am using the needle valve from Bulk Reef Supply took a while to get it tune in. But I put a filter before it and it works great. I travel for my job and it was a problem to get it right and not have to adjust it everyday.