Korallin Reactor Users HELP!!!

[Acronuts]

I cleaned the hoses and hose valves for the reactor.
After I connected everything back, I started on the process of adjusting so I closed valve #2. Waited till water from valve #1 started to stream out. As I started to restrict water from valve number #1 I noticed that air bubbles would come out of the co2 chamber which also caused water droplets to run down on to the stand flooring.
As I opened the gate #1 valve it would stop but that left me with too much drips into the sump.
I have another gate valve that controls that the water that comes from the lift pump. I opened gate valve #1 and started to close the valve that is closest to the lift pump. At first that seemed to work fine but then I noticed that the same thing was happening.
I started to run the co2 but the thing never turns off!
Have any of you run into this problem?
How did you fix it?
I really need help!

Thank you,

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

I have used koralins for years and could possibly help. I am a tad confused about this part. Could you try again to explain what is actually happening.




As I started to restrict water from valve number #1 I noticed that air bubbles would come out of the co2 chamber which also caused water droplets to run down on to the stand flooring.
As I opened the gate #1 valve it would stop but that left me with too much drips into the sump.

by co2 chamber do you mean the bubble counter? Is the reactor actually leaking from the o'ring connection when the valves are restricted?

 

[Acronuts]

I have used koralins for years and could possibly help. I am a tad confused about this part. Could you try again to explain what is actually happening.




As I started to restrict water from valve number #1 I noticed that air bubbles would come out of the co2 chamber which also caused water droplets to run down on to the stand flooring.
As I opened the gate #1 valve it would stop but that left me with too much drips into the sump.

by co2 chamber do you mean the bubble counter?
Yes I do mean the bubble counter.
Is the reactor actually leaking from the o'ring connection when the valves are restricted?

No rtbm78. What makes the leak by the co2 bubble chamber happen is from what I beleive is pressure backing up. Before I cleaned the hoses it ran fine and then afterwards it had this probelm.

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

so it's leaking at the hose fitting on top of the bubble counter?


if a fitting is leaking from pressure buildup, than it could just be tht the hose wasn't fastened properly. do you have the gray fitting that it came with still on there?
i am asking because some people swap them out for JG's myself included.

 

[Acronuts]

so it's leaking at the hose fitting on top of the bubble counter?


if a fitting is leaking from pressure buildup, than it could just be tht the hose wasn't fastened properly. do you have the gray fitting that it came with still on there?
i am asking because some people swap them out for JG's myself included.

I still actually have the grey fittings that you are talking about. I will take apart and make sure it is secure. In the meantime can you tell me about the JG's?
Thanks

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

sure can.

You can replace all the gray hose fittings with John guest ones if you want to. It will allow you to use stiffer hose and remove the easier. It took me a long time but i finally ended up doing this to the water input and two outputs on mine.

John Guest Male Connector (Tube x MPT) - Dultmeier Sales

 

[SDguy]

I run this reactor. I use a JG fitting on the feed line, but that's really only to stop/start the water feed off the return pump, not for any tuning. I run my reactor slightly pressurized. It allows for better control of drip/bubble rates, IME.

I use these PVC needle valves on the outlet lines for precise adjustments.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/search.aspx?search=needle%20valves&page=1

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

defiantly agree on those valves. It wasn't until i got one myself that was able to get a consistant flow

 

[Acronuts]

Well guys I finally attahced everything back. So far I have things under control. I have my co2 bubble count at 18 per minute. I am still adjusting the output. I am going slow so that I can get as close as possible to the 40 drops per minute. When these ca reactors get dialed in the work absolutely fantastic.
Question for you guys. If I want to inrease my Ca I am assuming that I increase the dpm, right? Would this lower my alk? If so then do I need to increase the bpm as well?

 

[SDguy]

Well guys I finally attahced everything back. So far I have things under control. I have my co2 bubble count at 18 per minute. I am still adjusting the output. I am going slow so that I can get as close as possible to the 40 drops per minute. When these ca reactors get dialed in the work absolutely fantastic.
Question for you guys. If I want to inrease my Ca I am assuming that I increase the dpm, right? Would this lower my alk? If so then do I need to increase the bpm as well?

A calcium reactor increases both calcium and alkalinity. If you are not happy with your current proportions of each, you need to adjust them. To raise calcium, use calcium chloride. Once it's where you want it, use the reactor to keep both ca and alk constant.