Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread - Page 20

hkgar · 12/03/2014, 03:35 PM

I think most of us use either the LS 16 or the LS 17 because the id of these tube sizes will fit standard connectors (1/8" and 1/4" id respectively)

tkeracer619 · 12/03/2014, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

And if I wanted to do it faster for any reason I could just up the RPM's?

So basically as long as the head has a variety of tubing diameters listed on it like 15, 24, 35, 36 I should have plenty of options, correct?

Yup, however it is best to get one that lists 13,14,16,25,17,18 as they are 1/16" wall tubes. The 15,24,35,36 sizes are afaik proprietary wall thicknesses. If you get these sizes you will just need to buy actual masterflex brand ls tubing which can be expensive as I am not sure of anyone who sells it by the foot.

I generally recommend to keep tubing as small as possible while keeping rpms low. Lower RPM gives a longer tube life. Smaller tubing is capable of more head pressure.

d2mini · 12/03/2014, 04:25 PM

ok, thanks guys. Good info for a really confusing search. lol

tkeracer619 · 12/03/2014, 04:28 PM

You're welcome. If you want some help I'll already be going through the search this evening and can shoot you a pm with what I find.

HiImSean · 12/05/2014, 07:22 AM

Besides brushless, what models have you guys found to be the quietest? I will be placing mine under my stand so it needs to be relatively quiet. We use some pretty old masterflex pumps here at work and they're quite noisy.

ca1ore · 12/10/2014, 10:51 PM

What an awesome thread.

I've been wrestling with my Calcium reactor for longer than I'd care to admit (hint, I've had it for close to a decade). It's a terrific unit, but the suction feature never worked. I feed it off a tee on my main pump return, through a small prefilter, and then into a needle valve. Still the darn thing always seems to require fiddling.

I'm going to keep an eye out for a used one of these master flex units. Seems like an infinitely better way to run the reactor.

zachts · 12/10/2014, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

What an awesome thread.

I've been wrestling with my Calcium reactor for longer than I'd care to admit (hint, I've had it for close to a decade). It's a terrific unit, but the suction feature never worked. I feed it off a tee on my main pump return, through a small prefilter, and then into a needle valve. Still the darn thing always seems to require fiddling.

I'm going to keep an eye out for a used one of these master flex units. Seems like an infinitely better way to run the reactor.

Might be the best upgrade you've ever made.........

skidrow52 · 12/11/2014, 12:44 AM

Anyone who is using Kamoer's stepper motor peristaltic Pump KSP-F01, what is the tubing size in PharMed BPT

Adamc1303 · 12/11/2014, 03:59 PM

Is there any benefit to a digital drive other then noise and digitally controlling it? If my setup is in the basement and I can get a drive and head that isn't digital for a very good price should I pull the trigger or look for a digital one?

Adamc1303 · 12/11/2014, 10:25 PM

One more question. What happens if the tubing fails? You get a leak all over the place? How would you know when it's time to replace?

d2mini · 12/12/2014, 11:38 AM

So I was able to nab a Masterflex 77521-50 with 7518-00 easy load head for $195 shipped.
The head takes 13, 14, 16, 25, 17, 18 Tubing.
Where should I get this and what else do I need for it to run my CaRx?

Adamc1303 · 12/12/2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

So I was able to nab a Masterflex 77521-50 with 7518-00 easy load head for $195 shipped.
The head takes 13, 14, 16, 25, 17, 18 Tubing.
Where should I get this and what else do I need for it to run my CaRx?

Where did you buy the pump? New or used?

gregr · 12/12/2014, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

So I was able to nab a Masterflex 77521-50 with 7518-00 easy load head for $195 shipped.
The head takes 13, 14, 16, 25, 17, 18 Tubing.
Where should I get this and what else do I need for it to run my CaRx?

LS17 is what I used for my Korallin- found a decent deal right there on ebay. Somewhere in this giant thread are some pointers on which type of tubing is best. After that all you need are the adapters to attach less expensive tubing to the short piece of 17 that goes in around pump. I just used 1/4" barbed fittings like these.
Adamc1303- pretty sure most people are getting theirs on ebay.

IUfan · 12/13/2014, 06:24 AM

Post #3, you'll find links to usplastics.com where you can buy the tygon tubing.

You only use about 6-8" at a time on the rollers, so the other few pieces there are to convert to and from john guest tubing to the tygon tubing.

d2mini · 12/13/2014, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregr

LS17 is what I used for my Korallin- found a decent deal right there on ebay. Somewhere in this giant thread are some pointers on which type of tubing is best. After that all you need are the adapters to attach less expensive tubing to the short piece of 17 that goes in around pump. I just used 1/4" barbed fittings like these.
Adamc1303- pretty sure most people are getting theirs on ebay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IUfan

Post #3, you'll find links to usplastics.com where you can buy the tygon tubing.

You only use about 6-8" at a time on the rollers, so the other few pieces there are to convert to and from john guest tubing to the tygon tubing.

Great, thanks!

zachts · 12/13/2014, 10:53 AM

Keep in mind Tygon has a relatively short service life (a few hundred hours at 50 rpm) and will need replaced often. Norprene or PharMed are the recommended tubing choices 4000+ hrs at 50 rpm).

Tygon is fine just make sure to stick to a routine replacement schedule.

d2mini · 12/13/2014, 11:09 AM

I just don't want to buy 50 feet of the stuff if I don't have to.
Anywhere to get the better tubing by the foot?

zachts · 12/13/2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

I just don't want to buy 50 feet of the stuff if I don't have to.
Anywhere to get the better tubing by the foot?

US Plastics also carries it.

d2mini · 12/13/2014, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachts

Keep in mind Tygon has a relatively short service life (a few hundred hours at 50 rpm) and will need replaced often. Norprene or PharMed are the recommended tubing choices 4000+ hrs at 50 rpm).

Tygon is fine just make sure to stick to a routine replacement schedule.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachts

US Plastics also carries it.

So i looked at us plastics and found this...
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=54291
Is that right?

And this...
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=57320
It says it's Pharmed but made by Tygon???

Adamc1303 · 12/13/2014, 05:43 PM

Is there any benefit to a digital drive other then noise and digitally controlling it? If my setup is in the basement and I can get a drive and head that isn't digital for a very good price should I pull the trigger or look for a digital one?

zachts · 12/13/2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

So i looked at us plastics and found this...
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=54291
Is that right?

And this...
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=57320
It says it's Pharmed but made by Tygon???

That's the stuff. I normally think vinyl when people say Tygon as that is usually what get's refered to as "Tygon" tubing. I guess they make the PharMed stuff also.

d2mini · 12/13/2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachts

That's the stuff. I normally think vinyl when people say Tygon as that is usually what get's refered to as "Tygon" tubing. I guess they make the PharMed stuff also.

Ok good.
Definitely like that I can order by the foot.

Well I just scored a clean looking 7523-30 Digital model for $190 shipped! Lol
No heads though. I'll have to wait till funds recover early next year and pick up two heads and run this one for my auto water changes.

Adamc1303 · 12/13/2014, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Ok good.
Definitely like that I can order by the foot.

Well I just scored a clean looking 7523-30 Digital model for $190 shipped! Lol
No heads though. I'll have to wait till funds recover early next year and pick up two heads and run this one for my auto water changes.

How many heads can go on one drive?

d2mini · 12/13/2014, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamc1303

Is there any benefit to a digital drive other then noise and digitally controlling it? If my setup is in the basement and I can get a drive and head that isn't digital for a very good price should I pull the trigger or look for a digital one?

Sorry, i meant to reply to this earlier but i was on tapatalk on my phone and forgot.
For our purposes, we really don't need the digital from what I understand. The analog dial versions will suit us just fine.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but that's what I have gathered from this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamc1303

How many heads can go on one drive?

It may depend on the drive, but I've seen up to 4.

Can anyone else answer this more definitively???

zachts · 12/13/2014, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Sorry, i meant to reply to this earlier but i was on tapatalk on my phone and forgot.
For our purposes, we really don't need the digital from what I understand. The analog dial versions will suit us just fine.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but that's what I have gathered from this thread.

It may depend on the drive, but I've seen up to 4.

Can anyone else answer this more definitively???

Generally most of the masterflex drives can handle up to 4 heads but it depends on the model. Just refer to the specs of the drive. the tubing used also plays into how many heads can run off one drive unit.

12/03/2014, 03:35 PM	#476
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I think most of us use either the LS 16 or the LS 17 because the id of these tube sizes will fit standard connectors (1/8" and 1/4" id respectively) __________________ 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

12/03/2014, 04:25 PM	#478
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	ok, thanks guys. Good info for a really confusing search. lol __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

12/03/2014, 04:28 PM	#479
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	You're welcome. If you want some help I'll already be going through the search this evening and can shoot you a pm with what I find. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/10/2014, 10:51 PM	#481
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	What an awesome thread. I've been wrestling with my Calcium reactor for longer than I'd care to admit (hint, I've had it for close to a decade). It's a terrific unit, but the suction feature never worked. I feed it off a tee on my main pump return, through a small prefilter, and then into a needle valve. Still the darn thing always seems to require fiddling. I'm going to keep an eye out for a used one of these master flex units. Seems like an infinitely better way to run the reactor. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/11/2014, 12:44 AM	#483
skidrow52 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Posts: 271	Anyone who is using Kamoer's stepper motor peristaltic Pump KSP-F01, what is the tubing size in PharMed BPT __________________ Adnan Mumtaz Current Tank Info: 150g Mixed Reef Tank, Hamilton Technology Cebu Sun HQI 250w x 2 + 54w x 4 T5, 100+ lbs Fiji Live Rocks, 150 NW Reef Octopus Skimmer, Filter Sock, Vortech MP40w x 2 on, Tunze Osmolator, American Marine Pinpoint PH Monitor, GFO & GAC Reactors

12/05/2014, 07:22 AM	#480
HiImSean Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 834	Besides brushless, what models have you guys found to be the quietest? I will be placing mine under my stand so it needs to be relatively quiet. We use some pretty old masterflex pumps here at work and they're quite noisy.

12/11/2014, 03:59 PM	#484
Adamc1303 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 964	Is there any benefit to a digital drive other then noise and digitally controlling it? If my setup is in the basement and I can get a drive and head that isn't digital for a very good price should I pull the trigger or look for a digital one? __________________ Metal Halide Connoisseur!

12/11/2014, 10:25 PM	#485
Adamc1303 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 964	One more question. What happens if the tubing fails? You get a leak all over the place? How would you know when it's time to replace? __________________ Metal Halide Connoisseur!

12/12/2014, 11:38 AM	#486
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	So I was able to nab a Masterflex 77521-50 with 7518-00 easy load head for $195 shipped. The head takes 13, 14, 16, 25, 17, 18 Tubing. Where should I get this and what else do I need for it to run my CaRx? __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

12/13/2014, 06:24 AM	#489
IUfan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 841	Post #3, you'll find links to usplastics.com where you can buy the tygon tubing. You only use about 6-8" at a time on the rollers, so the other few pieces there are to convert to and from john guest tubing to the tygon tubing.

12/13/2014, 10:53 AM	#491
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	Keep in mind Tygon has a relatively short service life (a few hundred hours at 50 rpm) and will need replaced often. Norprene or PharMed are the recommended tubing choices 4000+ hrs at 50 rpm). Tygon is fine just make sure to stick to a routine replacement schedule.

12/13/2014, 11:09 AM	#492
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	I just don't want to buy 50 feet of the stuff if I don't have to. Anywhere to get the better tubing by the foot? __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

12/13/2014, 05:43 PM	#495
Adamc1303 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 964	Is there any benefit to a digital drive other then noise and digitally controlling it? If my setup is in the basement and I can get a drive and head that isn't digital for a very good price should I pull the trigger or look for a digital one? __________________ Metal Halide Connoisseur!