How do you prefer to feed your calcium reactor?

[ChrisRD]

I'm setting up another tank - primarily for SPS and I'm wondering what methods others prefer for feeding their calcium reactors. I've tried a few different methods so far - just wondering what others have found to be the most reliable, trouble-free technique...

 

[Fatal Morgana]

low wattage (5Watts) water pump that can also pump air... forget about the name

 

[Travis1]

Maxi Jet 1200...

 

[ChrisRD]

low wattage (5Watts) water pump that can also pump air... forget about the name

If you're talking about this, that's what I'm referring to as a vacuum pump in the poll.

 

[Anonymous]

The circulation pump also feeds the reactor by design (vacuum

Anyone care to 'splain how this works? Or have a diagram?

I have a home made Ca reactor, that is fed with a small pump. I didn't vote though, because this is the only method I have tried, so I don't think I can say I have a preferred method.

 

[Anonymous]

daaaa what do you mean by feeding a calcium reactor? The co2, the calcium source, the effluent, the tank water, the mixing system? Just curious as I don't understand the question.

 

[ChrisRD]

Anyone care to 'splain how this works? Or have a diagram?

Korallin reactors supposedly work that way - never tried one though.

"Self-suction water intake by the silent Eheim pump eliminates the use of a dedicated powerhead, gravity-fed or tee-off methods. It also serves for water recirculation."

I have a home made Ca reactor, that is fed with a small pump. I didn't vote though, because this is the only method I have tried, so I don't think I can say I have a preferred method.

If that method is working well for you, vote!

 

[ChrisRD]

daaaa what do you mean by feeding a calcium reactor?

Feeding it water from the main system.

You don't use a Ca reactor so you can't vote Bob. :wink:

 

[GSchiemer]

IMO, the best way to feed most reactors is with a tee from the main circulation return pump. It often supplies the best pressure and requires the least maintenance.

Greg

 

[Fatal Morgana]

I agree with GSchimemer's comment. But the draw back is that if you often shut off the return pump, it can be a problem when the CO2 is still not shut off too.

Chris, yes, Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump AW-20 by TOM is what I was talking about.

 

[ChrisRD]

Teeing off the return is the way I'm leaning for this setup (in fact I already picked up the fittings )... ...don't plan on having the return pump off much. Just wondering if pressure would be steady enough...

The first option (vaccum formed by circulation pump) is pretty much out for me because my reactor is DIY and doesn't work that way...

Small powerhead - I've killed a few powerheads doing that - maybe too much restriction on them?

Vacuum pump - seems to work better than the powerhead thing, but still requires some tinkering - doesn't have much pressure.

Peristaltic pump - seems like it would be the most set-n-forget method but cost and noise seem to be the biggest issues there...

I'm just wondering what others' experiences are. Thanks for the feedback so far everyone!

 

[Anonymous]

daaaa what do you mean by feeding a calcium reactor?

Feeding it water from the main system.

You don't use a Ca reactor so you can't vote Bob. :wink:

thanks. I really do appreciate your response because I did want to know.

Unfortunately I did vote for other. Hope that doesn't screw up the pole too much.

After all I do use a mag5 to get my calcium up to 400 or so.

But then I guess that is not a reactor. :lol: 8O 8) :wink:

 

[GSchiemer]

Teeing off the return is the way I'm leaning for this setup (in fact I already picked up the fittings )... ...don't plan on having the return pump off much. Just wondering if pressure would be steady enough...

The first option (vaccum formed by circulation pump) is pretty much out for me because my reactor is DIY and doesn't work that way...

Small powerhead - I've killed a few powerheads doing that - maybe too much restriction on them?

Vacuum pump - seems to work better than the powerhead thing, but still requires some tinkering - doesn't have much pressure.

Peristaltic pump - seems like it would be the most set-n-forget method but cost and noise seem to be the biggest issues there...

I'm just wondering what others' experiences are. Thanks for the feedback so far everyone!

Chris,

I agree that "shutting off the return pump" is not an issue for most applications. Other than for maintenance, I don't know why you would turn off the main circulation pump. Unless you're using electronic ball valves or some other switching device on your main circulation pump, the pressure should be very steady.

Peristaltic pumps may appear to a good method, but they aren't. In addition to the initial cost and noise factors, these pumps are not manufactured to run 24/7. Most peristaltic pumps also don't push enough water to supply larger reactors.

Greg

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Again, I agree with your comment about the use of peristaltic pump, beside, it is one of the biggest overkill you can have in this hobby.

I used to have actuated ball valves, but I have removed them temporarily. I just use AquaLifer because I can have more control over the pressure. My setup is low pressure with only a 4 to 6 inches difference of the water levels between sump and main tank, so it is not going to be steady even without the actuated valves.

 

[ChrisRD]

On the peristaltic pumps - I was thinking along the lines of Cole-Parmer/Masterflex pumps (or similar large, lab-type pumps) which can definitely supply enough flow. I do agree that the rebuilt medical feeding pumps that are more popular in the hobby wouldn't be able to provide near enough though.

Are the large, Masterflex-type pumps not made to run continously? I assumed they were, but maybe not. I have a small single-speed Cole-Parmer/Masterflex pump I've used to feed my kalkreactor, but it was on a timer and only ran for a few minutes at a time, several times a night. At any rate, there's still the noise/expense issues...

Thanks again for all the feedback so far...

 

[Anonymous]

I am going to be putting a tee in my return line for a future Ca reactor. I do not shut off my main pump for feeding or any thing so it should be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread. I always thought a dosing pump was the ideal way to do it, but I've never used a reactor.

 

[Anonymous]

I run mine off a small powerhead, but am thinking about teeing it off the return.

Helpful eh?

 

[dcamp]

I use the Aqua Medic dosing pump. Cost about $90.00. Othe than replacing the rubber hose about every 6-8 months they are maintenance free and very consistant. I have used them on systems up to 150 gallons with no problems. Haven't had one fail in 2 years.

 

[ChrisRD]

I use the Aqua Medic dosing pump.

I assume the SP3000? Isn't that a fixed dose rate? From AquaMedic's website it looks like you'd be fixed at 50 ml/min. Do you just dial-in the reactor based on pH since you have no effluent adjustment? I didn't think that would work...