Trouble with calcium reactor

[duke62]

Anone else have trouble keeping there calcium reactor a constant number? I use a ph probe with a effluent cup and my ph numbers go from 7.09 to 6.85 constantly moving up and down. i have the mtc mini cal but the eheim pump went but i replaced it with a mag 3 with real close GPH. could it be the pump. I just took it all apart blew through all the lines with my compressor, cleaned the foam pad in the first chamber and rinsed off the media but its still doing it. my alk and calcium are fine but i like my ph steady so i can see if i need to lower or raise the flow when needed. could it be the pump thats doing this?

 

[duke62]

Anyone? i thought i figured out the problem last night with the gas leaking from the seals but i tightened the screws and its still doing it

 

[Jaftica]

it doesnt sound like a pump issue, but more of a controller issue, what are your set points for the ph? what is the hysteresis set at?

 

[duke62]

it doesnt get to a point where the selenoid is shut down. its set for 6.65 to shut down and never gets to that point.

 

[duke62]

last night after messing with it i left the flow valve open and it held staedy at 7.06. checked it this morning and it was the same not bouncing around. when i lowered the flow valve it started jumping around again and is still doing it.

 

[Jaftica]

What are you feeding the reactor with?

 

[duke62]

co2? dont know what your asking really

 

[Jaftica]

Feedwater from tank

 

[duke62]

from my fuge

 

[Jaftica]

What kind of pump are you using to get the water from fuge to reactor

 

[duke62]

no pump just have the mag 3.the pump thats attached to the reactor is all thats needed

 

[Jaftica]

How does the tankwater get into the reactor

 

[duke62]

the pipe has a split. the hose to the left is what feeds the mag 3 the water from the fuge.the pump pulls the water from the fuge

 

[Jaftica]

much more reliable running it with a pump, like an aqualifter

 

[duke62]

know other people with same reactor running it the same way with no problems. im the only one having this problem. only difference is i changed pumps

 

[Jaftica]

Ok then, good luck

 

[duke62]

plus it has been working fine until about 10 months ago. i usually just break it down clean it out and it works fine for a month or 2 then i have to do it again. i did that yesterday but its still not working correctly

 

[Macropora]

Check with Jeff at MTC. He'll guide you in the right direction. I had a piece of bubble algae clogging the input line of the Pro Cal causing it to fluctuate. Also check your output line to see if anything is clogging it. Good luck!

 

[KathyC]

It looks like you are running that mag drive externally?
They are strictly to be used submersed. You need another pump.

 

[duke62]

No there not kathy. mag pumps can be used internally or externally. i checked that already before i hooked it up