Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread - Page 68

hkgar · 03/18/2016, 11:18 AM

Vincent,

If you are using a Masterflex pump, there is no needle valve to clog. The effluent drips into the tank from 1/4 inch RO tubing. I have never had a clog since switching over to this method.

Yup one virtual outlet to shut down for maintenance and repairs, no other reason. I have shut it all down a time or two if ALK drifted higher than I wanted and just let it settle back down through coral up take.

scuzy · 03/18/2016, 11:51 AM

Why the heck is my copy paste cut off

Ah64av8tor · 03/29/2016, 06:38 PM

Ok, here is my pump it runs fine I got it a few years ago but never got it hooked up to my Korallin C3002 Calcium Reactor and due to a crash I got out of SPS. So now I'm getting back into stony corals and will need to get it running. I don't know where to start so any help would be appreciated.

Is there ant maintenance I should do?
What tube to use and where to get it?

ClownsRCoo · 03/31/2016, 09:58 AM

What kind of check valves are everyone using? The ones listed earlier in this thread don't have very good reviews online. I don't want to risk my nice regulator to damage from a crappy check valve.

gus6464 · 03/31/2016, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClownsRCoo

What kind of check valves are everyone using? The ones listed earlier in this thread don't have very good reviews online. I don't want to risk my nice regulator to damage from a crappy check valve.

I have McMaster Carr ones on my regulator. They are not cheap but less likely to fail.

slief · 03/31/2016, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClownsRCoo

What kind of check valves are everyone using? The ones listed earlier in this thread don't have very good reviews online. I don't want to risk my nice regulator to damage from a crappy check valve.

I used the check valve that came with my Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser regulator.

vhuang168 · 03/31/2016, 11:06 AM

Are check valves necessary? I'm assuming it is to prevent back siphoning but it's always positive pressure.

slief · 03/31/2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vhuang168

Are check valves necessary? I'm assuming it is to prevent back siphoning but it's always positive pressure.

Yes.. I would say they are. If your Co2 tank empties, there is risk of water being pushed up into the reactor.

ClownsRCoo · 04/03/2016, 07:12 PM

I'm trying to get used to my masterflex so when I set up my calcium reactor I'll be comfortable with it. I'm using the LS17 tubing. It's slipping when I have the pump on and pulling the tubing all to one side. I have the easy load 7518-00 head. There are little pincher looking V's on each side of the head. Do you pinch those down to hold the tubing in place? Any way to tell how much is too tight? I don't want to rip the tubing

sfdan · 04/03/2016, 08:11 PM

Yes, push the black tabs on the side in and down to lock the tubing in place. There are only a few possibly settings for the tabs, so go far enough that the tubing doesn't walk but no further than necessary.

steamguy · 04/13/2016, 01:15 AM

Hi Everyone,

This has been a very informative thread. I am pleased to be joining you in using the Masterflex powered calcium reactor. The drive I got did not come with a pump head. I ordered a 7518-10 off of ebay but it does not come with any mounting hardware. I would prefer not to use the expensive cole parmer hardware. Does anyone happen to know the appropriate screw length, diameter, and thread count? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

James

royvoss · 04/13/2016, 05:57 AM

i believe the thread is 8-32, i could not find screws in stainless steel in the lengths i wanted, plus i wanted them in ss, not sure if they are available in steel,some people have used threaded rod, just cut to the lengths you need, i broke down and used cole parmer hardware, just double check the screw size before you cut the rods, i can check on the thread size when i get home from work.

swk · 04/13/2016, 11:22 AM

I can second that it is 8-32...as much as I can remember.

I just bought threaded rod, a few washers and wingnuts. For a single pump head it's fine. If I was running a couple pump heads I would likely get the more stout cp hardware but for standard calrx purposes threaded rod is fine provided you have the know how to cut and smooth the threads afterward

lynchmob3000 · 04/13/2016, 11:27 AM

Mine were exactly 3inch! For quick load head and another, so I believe those are for most. I just went with Phillips head type. Works great so far

steamguy · 04/13/2016, 01:11 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I'll pick up some 8-32 stainless socket caps.

MrineLfRlz · 04/17/2016, 07:06 AM

I notice that not everyone is running the 5 different part number pumps posted at the the beginning of the thread. So as long as there Masterflex, continuous duty and 3-600rpm they should work fine right?

slief · 04/17/2016, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrineLfRlz

I notice that not everyone is running the 5 different part number pumps posted at the the beginning of the thread. So as long as there Masterflex, continuous duty and 3-600rpm they should work fine right?

Pretty much. You can always search this thread for the model you are considering using the the "Search This Thread" tool at the upper right of each page in this thread . Chances are that it's been discussed somewhere in this thread.

vhuang168 · 04/17/2016, 11:00 AM

Those 5 pumps are brushless. The main difference is noise. The brushed pumps are louder than the brushless ones.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

steamguy · 04/17/2016, 06:27 PM

I just received my used 7523-80 pump. Its quiet but not silent while running at 30 ml/min with LS17 tubing, even without the head. Is this normal or should the pump be absolutely silent at this speed? Thanks for your input.

slief · 04/17/2016, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamguy

I just received my used 7523-80 pump. Its quiet but not silent while running at 30 ml/min with LS17 tubing, even without the head. Is this normal or should the pump be absolutely silent at this speed? Thanks for your input.

Should be very quiet but not necessarily silent but darn near it. Quiet it relative though. I have the same model and at 24ml/min, it's hard to hear. Maybe a slight hum but having had a brushed model, it's silent in comparison.

machodik · 04/17/2016, 08:00 PM

Been away from this thread a long while as my calcium reactor has been very stable since learned good advises from you guys here .

But last week my surprise is that calcium up to over 500 ppm from 480 ppm while KH drop from 7.60 dkh to 6.7 dkh , I wonder why In spite my Geo 618 reactor running smoothly as in the past and calcium media and co2 are still ok and dripping as before with no clog or whatsoever as my Watson mallow pump being regularly check , is this because my alkalinity demand going up suddenly ? I have only add 1 small LPS which I doubt it demand so much KH ?

Cheers,

MD

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

steamguy · 04/17/2016, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

Should be very quiet but not necessarily silent but darn near it. Quiet it relative though. I have the same model and at 24ml/min, it's hard to hear. Maybe a slight hum but having had a brushed model, it's silent in comparison.

Thanks, I do not have a head for my unit yet. I think it may be pretty far out of calibration. When I set it for LS17 tubing and 24ml/min the equivalent pump RPM is 72.1, or 12.02%. Does this seem fast to you? I will calibrate the unit once i receive the head. Thanks again for all your guy' help. I can't wait to have it all set up.

slief · 04/17/2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamguy

Thanks, I do not have a head for my unit yet. I think it may be pretty far out of calibration. When I set it for LS17 tubing and 24ml/min the equivalent pump RPM is 72.1, or 12.02%. Does this seem fast to you? I will calibrate the unit once i receive the head. Thanks again for all your guy' help. I can't wait to have it all set up.

That is way way way too fast.. 24ml/Min should be about 8.5 RPM assuming you are using an easy load head with LS17 tubing. LS17 tubing flows at 2.8ml/min per revolution. At 72 RPM, you would be pushing about 201 ml/min. You calibration is either way off or you have it programmed wrong.

For reference, here is a flow chart for a typical Easy Load head.

Breadman03 · 04/17/2016, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swk

I can second that it is 8-32...as much as I can remember.

I just bought threaded rod, a few washers and wingnuts. For a single pump head it's fine. If I was running a couple pump heads I would likely get the more stout cp hardware but for standard calrx purposes threaded rod is fine provided you have the know how to cut and smooth the threads afterward

I usually get a couple donor nuts, cut the bar, back the nut to the cut, then smooth the cut. Once that's done, I remove the nut and gently clean up any junk.

Reefer525XL · 04/18/2016, 05:22 AM

I bought a 77301-20 benchtop system and some far things are not as stable as they should be, at least from what I've seen on here from other members.

I'm have the pump set at 50ml and the AP regulator at 1 bubble every 10 seconds. Output Co2 pressure it's about 6psi. I'm not worried about getting the pH to the correct level just yet. I first wanted to see how stable this thing was but so far I'm not impressed.

Tank pH swings from 8.2 to 7.8-7.9 thought the day.

Calcium reactor swings from 7.53 to 7.36

Anybody experience similar pH swings? Could I be doing something wrong or is this pH swing in the reactor simply due to the tank pH swing?

03/18/2016, 11:18 AM	#1676
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Vincent, If you are using a Masterflex pump, there is no needle valve to clog. The effluent drips into the tank from 1/4 inch RO tubing. I have never had a clog since switching over to this method. Yup one virtual outlet to shut down for maintenance and repairs, no other reason. I have shut it all down a time or two if ALK drifted higher than I wanted and just let it settle back down through coral up take. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/29/2016, 06:38 PM	#1678
Ah64av8tor Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Bradenton Fl. Posts: 2,362	Ok, here is my pump it runs fine I got it a few years ago but never got it hooked up to my Korallin C3002 Calcium Reactor and due to a crash I got out of SPS. So now I'm getting back into stony corals and will need to get it running. I don't know where to start so any help would be appreciated. Is there ant maintenance I should do? What tube to use and where to get it? __________________ Greg Fish geek <')))>< Current Tank Info: Old School Reefer: Building a new 225 from the old 150 gal SPS main display, 125 gal sump W/ 10 year old Plenum, 40 gal miracle mud refugium, Reeflow 250 Skimmer, Korallin C3002 Calcium Reactor W/ 30’secondary chamber, 2 Ice cap 250w MH SE W/ AquaC Last edited by Dino; 03/31/2018 at 04:48 AM.

03/31/2016, 09:58 AM	#1679
ClownsRCoo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 813	What kind of check valves are everyone using? The ones listed earlier in this thread don't have very good reviews online. I don't want to risk my nice regulator to damage from a crappy check valve. __________________ PlanetAquariums 171g (60x30x22) - RoyalExclusiv Dreambox - Bubble King Double Cone 200 Total system volume - 225g

03/31/2016, 11:06 AM	#1682
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	Are check valves necessary? I'm assuming it is to prevent back siphoning but it's always positive pressure. __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

04/03/2016, 07:12 PM	#1684
ClownsRCoo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 813	I'm trying to get used to my masterflex so when I set up my calcium reactor I'll be comfortable with it. I'm using the LS17 tubing. It's slipping when I have the pump on and pulling the tubing all to one side. I have the easy load 7518-00 head. There are little pincher looking V's on each side of the head. Do you pinch those down to hold the tubing in place? Any way to tell how much is too tight? I don't want to rip the tubing __________________ PlanetAquariums 171g (60x30x22) - RoyalExclusiv Dreambox - Bubble King Double Cone 200 Total system volume - 225g

03/18/2016, 11:51 AM	#1677
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Why the heck is my copy paste cut off

04/03/2016, 08:11 PM	#1685
sfdan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: San Francisco Posts: 451	Yes, push the black tabs on the side in and down to lock the tubing in place. There are only a few possibly settings for the tabs, so go far enough that the tubing doesn't walk but no further than necessary.

04/13/2016, 01:15 AM	#1686
steamguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 7	Hi Everyone, This has been a very informative thread. I am pleased to be joining you in using the Masterflex powered calcium reactor. The drive I got did not come with a pump head. I ordered a 7518-10 off of ebay but it does not come with any mounting hardware. I would prefer not to use the expensive cole parmer hardware. Does anyone happen to know the appropriate screw length, diameter, and thread count? Any help would be greatly appreciated. James

04/13/2016, 05:57 AM	#1687
royvoss Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: nj Posts: 467	i believe the thread is 8-32, i could not find screws in stainless steel in the lengths i wanted, plus i wanted them in ss, not sure if they are available in steel,some people have used threaded rod, just cut to the lengths you need, i broke down and used cole parmer hardware, just double check the screw size before you cut the rods, i can check on the thread size when i get home from work.

04/13/2016, 11:22 AM	#1688
swk Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wine Country CA Posts: 2,593	I can second that it is 8-32...as much as I can remember. I just bought threaded rod, a few washers and wingnuts. For a single pump head it's fine. If I was running a couple pump heads I would likely get the more stout cp hardware but for standard calrx purposes threaded rod is fine provided you have the know how to cut and smooth the threads afterward __________________ Member of Wine Country Reefers Current Tank Info: 75 gal SPS dominant reef. Geo calcium reactor with masterflex pump, Deltec 1455 skimmer, 2 mp40QD, mp10wes, lit by a 6x54 dimable ATI sunpower and controlled by Reef Angel

04/13/2016, 11:27 AM	#1689
lynchmob3000 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Elverta Posts: 635	Mine were exactly 3inch! For quick load head and another, so I believe those are for most. I just went with Phillips head type. Works great so far

04/13/2016, 01:11 PM	#1690
steamguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 7	Thanks for all the responses. I'll pick up some 8-32 stainless socket caps.

04/17/2016, 07:06 AM	#1691
MrineLfRlz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: eldon M.O. Posts: 1,167	I notice that not everyone is running the 5 different part number pumps posted at the the beginning of the thread. So as long as there Masterflex, continuous duty and 3-600rpm they should work fine right? __________________ Jim its not a obsession its a way of life!--75g DT/125g sump/40g growout/30g frag/ATI sun power x8/t5 on DT/X2 D120 leds 40g/Sun blaze x4/t5 30g Current Tank Info: BubbleMagus(calc.,alk/Clearwater CW-300 Scrubber//56wAQUA UV/Reef Oct.SRO6000SSS Protein sk./1/10HP Chiller/GENESIS AWC

04/17/2016, 11:00 AM	#1693
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	Those 5 pumps are brushless. The main difference is noise. The brushed pumps are louder than the brushless ones. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

04/17/2016, 06:27 PM	#1694
steamguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 7	I just received my used 7523-80 pump. Its quiet but not silent while running at 30 ml/min with LS17 tubing, even without the head. Is this normal or should the pump be absolutely silent at this speed? Thanks for your input.

04/17/2016, 08:00 PM	#1696
machodik Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Posts: 1,225	Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread Been away from this thread a long while as my calcium reactor has been very stable since learned good advises from you guys here . But last week my surprise is that calcium up to over 500 ppm from 480 ppm while KH drop from 7.60 dkh to 6.7 dkh , I wonder why In spite my Geo 618 reactor running smoothly as in the past and calcium media and co2 are still ok and dripping as before with no clog or whatsoever as my Watson mallow pump being regularly check , is this because my alkalinity demand going up suddenly ? I have only add 1 small LPS which I doubt it demand so much KH ? Cheers, MD Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ MD I love Taiwan, a free democratic independent country. Current Tank Info: 90cmx60cmx60cm (420 liters total volume), 12mm thick tampered glass aquariums , Eheim compact +5000, Jns SK2 protein skimmer, T5 x 4 x39 watt (2 blue , 2 white), MP40WES, SEIO 1000, TLF 150 2 + 550 1 Last edited by machodik; 04/17/2016 at 08:10 PM.

04/18/2016, 05:22 AM	#1700
Reefer525XL Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: South Florida Posts: 375	I bought a 77301-20 benchtop system and some far things are not as stable as they should be, at least from what I've seen on here from other members. I'm have the pump set at 50ml and the AP regulator at 1 bubble every 10 seconds. Output Co2 pressure it's about 6psi. I'm not worried about getting the pH to the correct level just yet. I first wanted to see how stable this thing was but so far I'm not impressed. Tank pH swings from 8.2 to 7.8-7.9 thought the day. Calcium reactor swings from 7.53 to 7.36 Anybody experience similar pH swings? Could I be doing something wrong or is this pH swing in the reactor simply due to the tank pH swing?