DaStaCo Reactor Thread

[svogun]

I replaced the regulator and the pressure is staying constant at .8. However - I’m getting an alarm. I believe it is due to the fine tuning for the CO2 stream. I can never get it right. Can you explain further that part? Slow stream?

Gotta talk to @uniquecorals or Aiisa

 

[Black Pearl]

Turn the unit off at the power source, flush all the air out of the chambers like you did at initial setup, close the fine completely then open it about 3-4 turns, restart the unit, let it run, if you get an alarm because the co2 is evacuating the mixing chamber too fast, close the fine by a small increment and restart the unit you may have to flush the media chambers again before the restart.

 

[KPersico]

Anyone know of someone in NYC that can take a look at my reactor?
Will pay in green paper and beer

 

[svogun]

Anyone know of someone in NYC that can take a look at my reactor?
Will pay in green paper and beer

Reach out to @uniquecorals. I believe they have an affiliate with Manhattan Aquariums

 

[Mark Novack]

Old thread. I gave it a read through because I use a DaStaCo. I think that its the heart of my aquarium. Its just another way of dosing alk and calcium in a balanced nature. Its easy to use. I have never had faster growth. I would replace it with another DaStaCo if needed. Do not oversize on this machine. I use an 800liter on my 800liter and its perfect. They can turn up really high but if its too big you cannot turn it lower than 1 and 1. The drawback is the initial cost. Its expensive for something so simple. The electronic module is just a switch board. Its not a smart machine but it has pegged my alk solid 9 since the first coralline algae appeared. The tank is 5 and a half months old and the reactor is already on 2 ventings per day and number 4 on alk. The setting is justified by the growth.

 

[Jimbo327]

What does it take to join their Facebook support group? I requested to join the private group a few days ago, no response yet.

 

[Clarkjw2002]

Does anyone know if AMS DaStaCo is still in business or did they just stop distributing in the US? Appears Unique is selling off all parts and no longer has reactors for sale. Reached out to them but have not heard anything.

Have an A2 I bought in 2018 that I'm finally nearing set up time on but am worried about replacement peri tubes and such when needed. Seems Unique is already sold out of the standard tubing so I need a replacement source.

I don't do Facebook (or any social media) so joining there is not an option if they are still active.

 

[reef_ranch]

I'm sure you can get replacement peri tubing form other sources. The peri pump is made by another manufacturer and uses readily available tubing. I bought a couple extras from Unique so am set for a few years, but I'm sure you can source the tubing by researching the pump

 

[Dennis Cartier]

You can still order them from Europe, so the European online sites still offer the units and parts.

 

[Clarkjw2002]

Thanks. Seems they've blacked out the pump details and manufacturer on the peri pump. Only the serial # is visible. Anybody know who the pump manufacturer is? All I can glean from the label is made in Germany.

Also, any suggestions for an EU vendor that ships to the US? Being and A2 I'm pretty sure I have the standard 4L/hr pump.

I may need to set up sooner than later if my demand keeps rising like it is so I finally opened up and did a good inventory and inspection. Gave the instructions a first read. Was a little confusing at first but it's starting to make sense. I was assuming it was more complicated than it really is.

 

[Clarkjw2002]

I did find one site but they only have two in stock. For 100 Euros shipping I'd rather buy a bunch at once.

Anybody know the tubing specifications? Wondering if I can get a roll from a Med Supply place and cut to length myself.

 

[reef_ranch]

i would go ahead and set it up. I changed my peri tubing once every couple of years. It's pretty robust.

 

[-JoJoReefing-]

Anyone using other brand pump connecting to dastaco? I have the compact version, i am using Kamoer fx stp2 pump right now, seems working fine but i am a bit concerned if the frequent on and off will hurt the kamoer pump. But good side is i can adjust pump speed so running at 3x the flow rate right now.

 

[Clarkjw2002]

Curious how you did this? Could you explain?

I set mine up at the end of May this year and never had an issue until last week. I'm pretty sure that the change in house temp with the cooling weather decreased the CO2 pressure in the tank just enough to set off the alarm every 1-8 hrs. I'd turn off/back on and sometimes the CO2 would not fill in time and give me a constant beep alarm. So I reset the regulator pressure and re-dialed in the fill time to the original 2-3 min as per the set up instructions and that seems to have fixed the issue (regulator pressure had dropped from the originally set 0.75 BAR to 0.6 BAR on the second gauge).

This got me thinking, I need a back up plan for when something like the 1046 pump goes out. Seems to me that you can't just swap the circulation or feed pump out because it needs to plug into the integra controller (unless you buy a European 220V plug item).

I can't find any more 1046 pumps. Could still get a back up feed pump from Unique but is it worth it? Anybody have work around plans for contingencies? Especially for if the CO2 float switch/sensor goes out?

Was toying with the idea of getting another reactor to have as a back up plan. Really love the way the dastaco works but not sure I want to go with a Deltec and have them go out of business too. I was thinking a GEO or life reef that I can just run at saturated levels w/ a pH controller--but then I need to mess with a probe and bubble counts and such.

Thoughts?

 

[reef_ranch]

I see 1046 pumps available online. As for the float switch, they can be replaced with off the shelf switches. I did it once. I expect many more years of service from my DaStaCo.

 

[Clarkjw2002]

Can you use a straight 1046 pump? I was under the impression you needed the 1046 that was modified specifically for the Dastaco. I couldn’t tell from looking at pics. Assumed the intake or outlet was modified somehow.

Do you have info on how you replaced your float? Saw somewhere it has been done but haven’t dug to see if I could find.

I love this thing so I’d prefer to know I can make it last a long time.