Stable output setup for Ca reactor

[CO2doser]

I’ve a 3' 70g mixed reef tank with 10 fishs, some LPS and SPS. To keep KH/Ca/Mg level, I bought an used Ca reactor, CO2 cylinder, and a pressure regulator from my friend, and he has switched to dosing pump to supply those elements. He told me that the output of Ca reactor is not stable, and I have to fix the problem of unstable CO2 and effluent rate to make the output stable.

OK, I installed the Ca reactor, and found the CO2 rate changed from time to time, and need fine tune the needle valve. The effluent rate decreased after a week due to clog. No wonder my friend switched to dosing pump.

I google to get an answer, and found digital CO2 doser, which is not needle valve, could solve the problem, and keep stable CO2 rate.

To keep efflent stable, someone in a forum suggested me to buy a peristaltic pump, but wow, it is expansive.

Later, I got an idea, in order to keep the PH value inside CA reactor in a certain level, a PH controller to turn on and off a usual water pump to pump out the Ca water could stable the PH level, and effluent output. For example, when PH value of a Ca reactor drop to below 6.8 (my setting) PH controller will turn on a water pump until the PH value rises to 6.9.

This allow the use of a cheaper pump to let effluent out, and the high flow rate prevents clog.

This is my way to solve the usual problems of calcium reactor to make it stable in a long run.

 

[mcarroll]

Good luck! The usual (best?) answer is to use a gear-driven peristaltic pump such as a Stenner or Chemtrek, etc. Something to consider as a backup plan. :)

 

[CO2doser]

Yes, I considered this setup before, but those peristalic pumps are expansive, and tube need to be replaced in several months.

The setup of using PH controller to pump out Ca water to stable PH value has ran about a year to serve for my tank. Digital CO2 doser work fine. They are very stable. I think it is a better and easier way than dosing pump to dose these elements.
Anyway, thanks for your suggestion.

 

[Timtim]

Hi CO2doser,
I am having the same problem as you do. The needle valve is just a pain in the A** to get it right. Do you mind to show a picture or two of your setup. Thanks.

 

[Diesel]

The gear-driven peristaltic pumps you can find on Ebay or sometimes here for less than $400.
This electronic doser is a no brainer for CaRx http://www.aquariumplants.com/CarbonDoser-Electronic-Co2-Regulator-p/co2.htm
I just use a regular plain old Eheim pump for three years and I haven't had a single problem with my effluent.

 

[CO2doser]

Sorry, I do not have picture right now, I will post it later.

I get a Digital CO2 doser from amazon
you could google it "digital co2 doser"
https://www.amazon.com/AquaWiz-CO211-Digital-CO2-Doser/dp/B01H17KHFC

I find a setup video


test run

 

[CO2doser]

The gear-driven peristaltic pumps you can find on Ebay or sometimes here for less than $400.
This electronic doser is a no brainer for CaRx http://www.aquariumplants.com/CarbonDoser-Electronic-Co2-Regulator-p/co2.htm
I just use a regular plain old Eheim pump for three years and I haven't had a single problem with my effluent.

It is expansive solution.

The way I suggested is using PH controller to control a much cheaper pump to pump out the effluent.

The advantage includes

(1) You do not need to fine tune peristaltic pump to match PH value inside CaRx when tank demand changed.

(2) Constant PH value inside CaRx is required to stable ratio of Ca and Mg output, if use Mg media.

(3) More efficient usage of CO2: when PH inside CaRx not reach set point, for example 6.7, then no effluent out. All CO2 is mixed with media to make Ca/Mg water. Less residual CO2 results less PH drop in display tank.

 

[csb123]

Keep checking on eBay for a Masterflex or Stenner pump. I bought 2 with an appropriate head, used, for about $140 each. They apparently live forever and the tubing is cheap. You can buy 10 foot lengths from US plastics. These in combination with an electronic CO2 regulator make calcium reactor adjustments a breeze...priceless!

 

[CO2doser]

Here is my setup

Digital CO2 Doser control CO2 flow with long term stability.

PH controller turn on/off a cheap pump to stable PH inside CaRx.

 

[Timtim]

Cool !
I have put an order on this co2 doser thing over the weekend, too bad it is not on Black Friday sale. Overall still cheaper than the peristaltic pump solution . I'll update when I receive it from Amazon.

 

[gus6464]

Carbon doser is a $20 regulator wrapped in $280 worth of electronics. It is a very cheap unit. For $300 you can put together a dual stage setup with an ideal vernier needle valve that will last longer than you.

Funny how the carbon doser was initially advertised for planted tank folk but no serious planter will even touch it with a 10ft pole.

As for a continuous cycle peristaltic is concerned keep checking ebay. I got my Masterflex for $200 with head and then got enough LS-17 tubing to last a lifetime on ebay for $30.

 

[Timtim]

Gus6464,
Are we talking about the same thing ? The one I ordered is called "digital co2 doser" sold in amazon and is cheaper.

 

[gus6464]

Gus6464,
Are we talking about the same thing ? The one I ordered is called "digital co2 doser" sold in amazon and is cheaper.

You talking this?
https://www.amazon.com/AquaWiz-CO21...=1480448701&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+co2+doser

That unit is a whopping $200. That's crazy.

 

[julian0326]

I’ve a 3' 70g mixed reef tank with 10 fishs, some LPS and SPS. To keep KH/Ca/Mg level, I bought an used Ca reactor, CO2 cylinder, and a pressure regulator from my friend, and he has switched to dosing pump to supply those elements. He told me that the output of Ca reactor is not stable, and I have to fix the problem of unstable CO2 and effluent rate to make the output stable.

OK, I installed the Ca reactor, and found the CO2 rate changed from time to time, and need fine tune the needle valve. The effluent rate decreased after a week due to clog. No wonder my friend switched to dosing pump.

I google to get an answer, and found digital CO2 doser, which is not needle valve, could solve the problem, and keep stable CO2 rate.

To keep efflent stable, someone in a forum suggested me to buy a peristaltic pump, but wow, it is expansive.

Later, I got an idea, in order to keep the PH value inside CA reactor in a certain level, a PH controller to turn on and off a usual water pump to pump out the Ca water could stable the PH level, and effluent output. For example, when PH value of a Ca reactor drop to below 6.8 (my setting) PH controller will turn on a water pump until the PH value rises to 6.9.

This allow the use of a cheaper pump to let effluent out, and the high flow rate prevents clog.

This is my way to solve the usual problems of calcium reactor to make it stable in a long run.

How much is the PH controller?

 

[David Cher]

try watching this :

 

[CO2doser]

How much is the PH controller?

PH controller price is low. You could get a new one starting from 40.

 

[CO2doser]

try watching this :

Great video.

It is a kind of fix effluent method. By adjusting co2 rate to adjust the Kh output.
He use a digital co2 doser to keep co2 rate stable. That is good.
The continuous flow is the part that I do not agree to have long term stability.
I used continue flow before, but fail to be stable in less than a month.

Therefore, I switched to use a PH controller to turn on/off a water pump to keep PH value inside CaRx stable.

You could start the turn on PH from 7.4 like the video suggested, and then reduce it with more co2 if tank demand more.

 

[CO2doser]

You talking this?
https://www.amazon.com/AquaWiz-CO21...=1480448701&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+co2+doser

That unit is a whopping $200. That's crazy.

It is a high CP solution.
I would not worry about the co2 rate any more,
and enjoys a weeks travel with my family.

If using a needle valve, I would not like to go outside over 2 days.