Setting up a calcium reactor

[Breakthecycle2]

I decided to go with the Aquamaxx T1. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Either way, I bought the reactor, the calcium and MAG media, Co2 tank and regulator. It says I should use a Co2 check valve. My questions is, do I need one ? What kind of pump do I need? It says an aqualifter is recommended, but isn't that basically an air pump? The third is, once I get it all set up, how long after should I discontinue my dosing pumps?

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I like how @hybridazn has his set up. I'll be doing mine the same way.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I like how @hybridazn has his set up. I'll be doing mine the same way.

Where can I see it?

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Also, what is a good PH probe to use?

 

[hybridazn]

I used this video as a starting point. This way is insanely easier to set up and maintain as opposed to the conventional way of setting up a CaRX

 

[lilchris_357]

Check valve: yes, because once reactor is full of saltwater, water will flow into the CO2 tank, the check valve will prevent that. You can use any small pump or if you have a reactor manifold, you can use those. The aqualifier is a small pump that pulls water, it's not an air pump. Once you get the reactor setup, and if it's dailed in, you can take the dosing pumps offline. The video above is pretty good.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Check valve: yes, because once reactor is full of saltwater, water will flow into the CO2 tank, the check valve will prevent that. You can use any small pump or if you have a reactor manifold, you can use those. The aqualifier is a small pump that pulls water, it's not an air pump. Once you get the reactor setup, and if it's dailed in, you can take the dosing pumps offline. The video above is pretty good.

Doesn't a regulator help with that?

 

[hybridazn]

Doesn't a regulator help with that?

You need a check valve on the line that goes from the regulator to the reactor to prevent water from siphoning thru when the regulator isn't on

 

[NCreefguy]

Doesn't a regulator help with that?

A regulator just regulates how much co2 is fed to the reactor.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

You need a check valve on the line that goes from the regulator to the reactor to prevent water from siphoning thru when the regulator isn't on

Just out of curiosity, does if have to be Co2 specific or can I use and airline check valve?

 

[hybridazn]

Just out of curiosity, does if have to be Co2 specific or can I use and airline check valve?

Airline check valve

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Airline check valve

OK, so in the video you posted, he said to use a needle valve, would just a standard valave be OK? Also, in the video, he says start at PH 7.4 and off 7.3. I confused, what goes "off" at 7.3? I have a controller.

 

[NCreefguy]

OK, so in the video you posted, he said to use a needle valve, would just a standard valave be OK? Also, in the video, he says start at PH 7.4 and off 7.3. I confused, what goes "off" at 7.3? I have a controller.

The "off" and "on" is your regulator. Regulator on to let co2 into the reactor when your ph rises above 7.4(in the reactor)...Then regulator off when your ph level gets lower than 7.3(in the reactor).

 

[Breakthecycle2]

The "off" and "on" is your regulator. Regulator on to let co2 into the reactor when your ph rises above 7.4(in the reactor)...Then regulator off when your ph level gets lower than 7.3(in the reactor).

Ahhh...so that's the plug that should be into the Apex ( at least).

 

[NCreefguy]

Ahhh...so that's the plug that should be into the Apex ( at least).

Yes plug the regulator into the apex powerbar.

Your Apex will control the regulator with your ph probe(that's in the reactor) readings.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Yes plug the regulator into the apex powerbar.

Your Apex will control the regulator with your ph probe(that's in the reactor) readings.

Thank you

 

[NCreefguy]

Thank you

You're welcome.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Also, this reactor recommends using an aqualifter pump.

 

[NCreefguy]

Also, this reactor recommends using an aqualifter pump.

Some people use aqualifters,some use dosing/peristaltic pumps or just any small pump/powerhead. I use a small Rio 600(10 watts I think) on one system and a small minijet on another. It just needs to be big enough to constantly feed the reactor.

 

[erk]

Airline check valve

Be careful using regular airline check valves with CO2. When I used to run CO2 on my planted tanks, the regular airline check valves would fail due to the diaphragm hardening with exposure to CO2. This was a common problem in the planted tank community. Granted I doubt you run CO2 continuously like they do on planted tanks.