calcium reactor

[john]

I built this calcium reactor about a month and half ago since hooking it to my tank I have seen no more than a small amout of calcium and dkh above tank values I have tried bubble counts from 10 bpm to 20bpm and drip rates from 20dpm to a steady stream with no better results I am useing an ehiem 1048 pump for flow and forced feed from my chiller pump could some advise me if I have my plumbing correct or if they see some other problem with it I will try to attach a picture

 

[john]

well my picture did not attach maybe someone could help me with that first

 

[spooda420]

what is the pH of the water after it comes out of the reactor?

how large is the unit?

how much media do you have in the reactor? what type?

for pictures you just attach them, easy peasy, you cant do it from a quick reply tho, you must do it from post reply.

 

[DonW]

Sounds to me like you need to start over.
What is you current CA? / DKH?
If its low get it up with additives.

Fire up your reactor, assuming it works properly. Set it to 30 DPM and 15 BPM, drip into a bucket over night. Now check the effluent ph. If your using ARM the target should 6.8, if your there check the dkh, it should be about three times the tank target value.
If all is good drip into your sump for two days then recheck the tank CA and DKH if its dropping increase the drip rate and co2. Keep doing this until it maintains the tank.

Keep in mind the reactor is used to maintain the tank and not bring the values up.

Don

 

[john]

well I'am new to the world of send things on a computer other than email and I don't always get that right I tried useing the attachement in post reply I pull up the picture in the browes push the button it seems like something is happening it the take me back to the forum and its not there the unit was made from two 16" cast acrilic tube 4" diameter holding 8 pounds of media I forgot the brand name but it is suppose to dissolve at a higher PH I never checked PH only DKH and cacium DKH would run about 9 cacium around 360 the flow from pump through half inch pipe was from top to bottom co2 was injected at pump inlet and make up water was injected just down steam from co2 outlet to second chamber was at top of first to bottom of second and out to tank at top of second Could haveing to high a resolution on picture be causing problem

 

[john]

my current DKH 8 calcium 350 mag 1350 I am aware that the reactor is for maintenace not to build values I purchased an small reactor the other day and it came up to way better values in the first day but I would rather use my diy unit two chambers built from plans of the GEO unit on rc

 

[DonW]

Its alot easier if you know the ph of the first chamber, IGNORE the second for now.
You need to get it at or below 7.0 if using ARM. (comes in 8lb jug). If you cannot get it down then the reactor is not using the co2 efficiently. If your ph is below 7.0 then your output dkh should be around 40. Dont worry about the CA output, remember its balanced. Keep it simple.

Don

 

[john]

with all the ajustments I was never able to got below 7.2 just checked the calibration on the pinpoint it was good so I guess co2 was not mixing well where should I be putting co2 in to get best mix is the pump maybe to small or large I found the media container carib sea ARM

 

[DonW]

7.2, is that the output effluent or the first chamber?????
The second chamber is designed to dissapate excess co2 and riase the ph back up to a safer level.
On my reactors the input water carries the co2 to the pump impeller.

Don

 

[john]

that was the output from second chamber I never tested the first maybe I should just hook it back up and try again I should then test first chamber thanks for the help now if only I could post a picture try to upload one to the gallery that didn"t work either maybe its this HP photo program

 

[NaH2O]

John - see if this thread helps you out with posting photos...

Posting Photos

 

[john]

I hope I got the picture this time

 

[john]

well I had a little help from a friend [my kid] and adobe7.0 finaly got it now all I need is spell check thanks also for the link Niki

 

[DonW]

Nice looking reactor. I assume the blue hose is the in at the bottom. The black being co2 at the pump inlet, water flows up???If the c02 does not mix with the water it goes directly in the white tube to the second reaction chamber. This will cause the problems you describe.

Don

 

[john]

please suggest a hose routing yes blue hose was just tied together to keep from draining black hose from top of bubble counter to elbow before pump inlet water flows up from pump down thru first tube

 

[DonW]

I must say I've had poor results with that flow direction. I'd go bottom up. The sponge at the bottom plugs as the media melts. The white hose at the top can be pushed down below the water line, that will cure the gas escape. The fitting has a built in stop, but a forsner bit will take it right out. Then just push the hose all the way through the fitting.
If you decide to change the flow direction be sure to move the co2 inlet also.
If you have a ph probe the same fittings make great probe holders. Just add one 1/2" fitting to the first chamber lid and drill the stop.

Changing the flow direction and eliminating gas escape should take care of all your problems.

Hope this helps
Don

 

[john]

ok thanks for the help I'll get busy replumbing I already did the drill and push through method on the bubble counter so I know what your talking about just one more question does the second chamber raise PH ?

 

[DonW]

just one more question does the second chamber raise PH ?

Yes, it should.

Don