reactor setup...help

[coralmorphian]

I just got a tank for my reactor and need some advise on how to get it running.

I tried to get it going the other day and I blew the lid of the GEO into 3 pieces

This is how I had it set up

CO2 tank
Regulator- Dialed to about 20 pounds...connected to
Needle valve to fine tune...connected to
Solenoid...connected to ph controller...connected to
Reactor.


I was told that because I am using a controller and solenoid, that I did not need the bubble counter.

So I opened the regulator, and the needle valve.
Dailed the ph controller to about 6.7 and plugged in the solenoid

In about 2 seconds there was a loud bang and.........POOOF there goes the top of the reactor.

How do I properly do this, to avoid THAT the next time

 

[AFH]

Contact GOE, he can make another top for you. I don't know much about acrylic but I am sure there are different grades and thicknesses.

I have a reactor that leaks it was not made by GEO. I bit the bullet and ordered a reactor from MTC. It has cost me more money it the long run. I should have order one it years back.

 

[coralmorphian]

thanks
George is getting a new lid out to me. I would still like to know how to get it running properly though, so it doesn't happen again.

 

[slojmn1]

I have a GEO reactor and use a solenoid connected to a pH controller and I do use a bubble counter. I don't count the bubbles but that is where the line goes in and the CO2 bubbles little by little in the counter then travels down into the reactor. Clearly you had a build up of CO2 very quickly. I would use the bubble counter just to get a sense for how fast the bubbles of CO2 are pouring into your reactor. I have my regulator set to only about 5lbs of pressure, thats what worked best. My last regulator ran at 15-20lbs of pressure just fine this new one seems more tempermental and works best at the lower setting. Definately play with it and start very low. If you have water pumping into the reactor to fast from your feeder pump you can have a problem as well. Wish I could be of more help :?

 

[coralmorphian]

slojmn1

thanks for the info. What pump are you using on it?? I was told a Mag 250 would be fine, so thats what I bought. It seems abit powerful though.

 

[AFH]

What kind of regulator are you using, I have my regulator set to about 15 pounds. Which is less then 10 cc per minute. my drip rate is his about 190 -200 ml. This is on a gal tank all sps tank. When the co2 was in the chamber could you see lots of bubbles in the chamber, if so definitely too much co2. I test alkalinity I try to keep it around 12-12.5 dkh my calcium has been about 450. Take a look at this link
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.htm

 

[slojmn1]

I use a mini-jet 404, very small and minimal power. I use these mini jets in my 7g nanoreef for circulation. This little mini-jet pump is all I have needed. I got a few of them free in my recent 200g Instant Ocean Salt buckets. I originally bought a couple from Marine Depot as well, pretty cheap. [/quote]