Aqualifter as a negative pressure pump for a CA reactor.

i have one of theses I could bring over for your experiment.
http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Lift...aqualifter


 

 

I have an extra one that I would let go $5.00, if it works.

 

Following along.

My CARx has been pissing me off big time. I can't keep a steady effluent drip rate.

I assume it is the needle valve....it used to keep a consistent drip rate but not anymore.

Now I wonder if it is my pump? I have a MRC duel reactor with an ehiem pump.

Anyone know where I can get a better needle valve?

 

Do you have a link for this peristaltic pump? Or a link to your intel? I can't picture how this pump would work.....

I have two pumps on my CaRx. An Ehiem that 'manages' the reactors and a MJet that feeds the water to the reactor. Do you have something similar?

My reactor behaves just as you say. It usually stops dripping completely after a couple days.

 

JB - Would you be using the aqualifter on a timer, or how would you control the amount it pumps?

 

I have never really had issues with this. I feed my reactor of off my Ehiem 1262 return pump and have a plastic micro valve on the effluent output that drips into my sump. (These valves are cheap and you can get them from F&S in 6 packs) My effluent line is about 5 feet long with the valve on the sump. Micro valves and needle valves aren't the same thing. I can see the stainless steel needle valve giving you issues (unless it's titanium the needle will rust over time causing inconsistent dripping)
Your Co2 apsorbstion rate is actually going to be higher when it is a pressurized reactor vrs a negative pressure but I don't think it's going to make much of a differnce for what we are doing here.
That RC thread seems like their throwing very expensive and complicated solutions to a simple problem. Something as simple as moving the effluent valve as far away from the reactor could fix the issues. Or moving the reactor below the sump if possible. Since the flow is a mear fast drip tiny particles are allowed to settle in the hose and dissolve there over time instead of cloging the valve. You could even put a in-line sediment only filter (yes like the ones for RO Units) in-line on the effluent to prevent any fine particles from clogging the needle valve if that's the cause of the problem. The one sold for the the aqualifter might work also if the micron rating is small enough. Just remember the more complicated you make something the more WILL go wrong.
But then I don't even run a ph controller on my CA reactor (not necessary and just more equipment to maintain and fail IMO) I just adjust the co2 until I get a little co2 buildup in the reactor and I know I"m maxed out on absorption. I run Caribsea's fine grain media as well and don't have issues with it turning to mush.