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Calcium Reactor Effluent Issues, please help.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by erayk1, Dec 11, 2011.

  1. Dec 11, 2011 #1
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    I've got this calcium reactor that I have had up and running for about 2 months now on my 220 reef tank.  It's about 4' tall and maybe 7" in diameter.  I've been having trouble with regulating the coming out of the effluent which gradually decrease over a couple days.  It's been going from a speedy drip to barely a drip every 2 seconds within a matter of 3-4 days.  I think the weak link is the t-ball valve I am using to regulate the flow out (flow in is constant from my return pump).  Please show me what you are all using or give me ideas that I could use to make mine work consistently and not tapper off like it does.
    Here's what I've been using...
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    All help is appreciated!!
    Thanks,Elliot
     
  2. Dec 11, 2011 #2
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    I'm using a pinch valve vs. a ball valve, specifically, this one (http://www.marinedepot.com/Flow_Control_Pinch_Valve_Calcium_Reactor_Replacement_Parts-Plumbing_Parts-FT0002-FICRRP-vi.html).  It's stayed pretty steady for me.  Also, I was given the advice to set your effluent to a slow, but steady stream, then just adjust the pH inside the reactor until you get the calcium and alkalinity levels where you want them in your tank.  That advice has worked well for me. 
    --AJ
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Dec 11, 2011 #3
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    AJ: So that means you are using soft tubing for your outlet? Approximately what is your drip rate, I know it's different for all tanks, but I'm just trying to get this thing dialed in.
     
  4. Dec 11, 2011 #4
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Below is a graph from my newly acquired Apex which shows that I unclogged the effluent valve on Dec. 4th which allowed the pH to rise with the steady drip.  The graph shows how it has progressively gotten to be a slower drip, to where it is basically not dripping at all today.  My kH goes down as well which bothers me because I don't want this fluctuation... 
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Dec 11, 2011 #5
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    No, I'm using hard tubing. The white tubing that you see on most RO units. I have mine set to about 3 ml/sec. Probably higher than most would set it, but it's worked well for me.

    --AJ
     
  6. Dec 11, 2011 #6
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Alright, just didn't know since the description said it was for soft tubing. Might try this unless someone has a better idea. Thanks!
     
  7. Dec 11, 2011 #7
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    This is what I am using as well.  The drip rate at the shop is well over 100 ml a minute and is a solid stream rather than a drip.  On my tank here at home I run about 30 drips a minutes because I use limewater in my ATO which takes care of most of my ALK/Ca needs at this point.
     
  8. Dec 11, 2011 #8
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    Take a look at the picture of my effluent stem valve I just posted on Facebook. Idk where to get them exactly aj have you seen those ones before?
     
  9. Dec 11, 2011 #9
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    Take a look at the picture of my effluent stem valve I just posted on Facebook. Idk where to get them exactly aj have you seen those ones before?
     
  10. Dec 11, 2011 #10
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Never seen them before Andy. It's a needle valve of some sort, but never seen that configuration. Here's a link to US Plastics where you can find a variety of quick connect needle valves that are similar. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=662&parentcatid=870&clickid=popcorn

    --AJ
     
  11. Dec 11, 2011 #11
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    A needle valve would probably be the best, although the pinchy thing does seem to work pretty well on my system.
     
  12. Dec 11, 2011 #12
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Sounds good, I'm guessing none of these items could be picked up locally anywhere??
     
  13. Dec 11, 2011 #13
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    I doubt it
     

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