Another MACO DIY Success!

[hfmann]

I can't believe I made these things so I had to show them off here. All due to the great job Brian Ferguson did in walking us and holding our hands through the entire process. The pictures show the Calc Reactor made as a result of the class and the KW Reactor I made simultaneous with the class unit. The calc reactor isn't in service yet as I'm waiting for my CO2 tank to get here.

Thanks Brian and to all my classmates for their help.
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Rare Diseases Forum

 

[Anonymous]

They look great Hal. Good job!

What kind of pump do you have on the Kalk reactor. Is it plumbed different than the CA reactor?

Louey

 

[hfmann]

Hey Louey,

Thanks. I can't believe they don't leak :lol: Wasn't that class great fun? I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It almost seemed like learning all those skills and techniques was secondary!

What kind of pump do you have on the Kalk reactor. Is it plumbed different than the CA reactor?

On the Kalkwasser reactor, I just used a maxijet powerhead. Apparently an awful lot of people use those if they aren't using a magnetic stirring motor underneath the reactor. I was thrilled with the way it turned out. Here's the info on how I managed the fittings and mounting: http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=29824 The plumbing is exactly the opposite of our Calcium Reactor. The input is plumbed to the vertical tube, while the output pushes into the base. When it's mixing (6/day - 15 minutes), you can see the fluidized KW powder rise up to the top of the 1/2" pipe.

Take care classmate.
Hal
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Ferrari Inter

 

[hfmann]

Oh, I forgot to tell you Louey about the plumbing for the RO/DI water source. A Reeffiller unit pushes the fresh water into the reactor via the T plumbed into the output section of the powerhead. I use the lime water for all top off and the Reeffiller is cycled on and off by a float switch in my sump.

hal
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[mattboy]

Hal;

Congratulations; your reactors look great. Are you going to use both reactors on the same system? I'm still dripping KW while using my calcium reactor, mostly for ph issues. I'm gradually weakening the KW mixture, trying to wean my tank off the high ph it's used to. I would think that using both reactors (KW and calc) on a big system would keep calc, ch, and ph all very high.

Matt

 

[ChrisRD]

Great job Hal!

 

[hfmann]

Thanks Matt, Chris,

Yes, I'm planning on using both at the same time. I read in one of Craig Bingman's articles (or thread on some bulletin board), that the use of both is the best because it keeps some ionic balance in order. I have to admit that I don't know what that means. But the article made a lot of sense. I know that he's said on other places that using just one or the other is fine, but the best balance is obtained using both. However, I also know I'll have to monitor all the parameters and see what happens.

Now that I'm dripping fully saturated KW, my pH is swinging too much. So I'm pulling it back to only drip at night. It's going to take some tuning since I use that for all my topoff. Can't run the sump dry during the day. :lol:

Take care all,
Hal
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Laos Forum

 

[fish1]

Congrats , looks like a great job. Pretty satisfying isn't it ?
Good luck with it !!!!!

 

[Modo]

This could be a dumb question so smack me if it is.

Shouldn't the Maxijet on the kalk reactor be submerged? Or is it and you just have it out for the pics.

Let the trouts fly! :wink: