Aqua-Lifter for CA Reactor Supply?

[jef4y]

I've been running my CA reactor T'd off my main return, with the effluent controlled at the output of the reactor for a bit over a year. It had the common problem of after a few weeks, algae & crud causing the effluent to slow, so I'd clean it out and go again.

Recently I tried controlling the drip through the INPUT side of the reactor. I put a ball-valve on the T junction off my main return and control the drip that way. In theory this should be great because it removes most all pressure from the CA reactor (which I was concerned with when I was controlling the drip at the output), but the adjustment is way too sensitive and unreliable.

In reading, the optimal solution would be a continuous duty peristaltic pump, but at several hundred dollars for a USED one, I don't think I'm going to go that route (and the BRS pumps are not continuous duty, I checked).

At this point I have a couple of options. I think I'm going to try and control the drip at both the INPUT and the OUTPUT, dialing back the input to avoid excess pressure and then doing the fine adjustment at the OUTPUT. However, I had another thought...

Has anyone ever used a Tom's Aquatics Aqua-Lifter to supply a CA reactor?

They're cheap enough that they can be replaced every 6 months or year if needed, and they are slow enough that they shouldn't create a ton of pressure.

My only concerns are in running it 24x7...

Any advice would be great.

Cheers.
-Jeff

 

[jef4y]

It's a K2R calcium reactor, and yes, it has an ehiem recirc pump on it already. The recirc pump doesn't add any pressure since it's only dealing with water already IN the reactor. The supply pump on the other hand can induce a lot of pressure.

Just curious but why would you go with a stronger supply pump? The reactor effluent output is ~50ml/ min whereas that small MJ puts out 104GPH or 6,689ml/min

 

[enderg60]

it will work, but I would want something that can provide a bit more pressure should something clog the line. Pumps can always be valved down.

Most of my stuff is T'ed off the main pump, but I would say use a maxijet over a aqualifter. Even the small 404 ones would work.

 

[jef4y]

I think for now I'll just remain uncomplicated and keep on the T off my main return, dialing it down at the input and output.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[weaglereefer]

Why not just put a valve on the input line with a T off the return? That's how my reactor is run and I have a constant output. There is no pressure because you don't valve down the output line, only the input line.

 

[jef4y]

au01st;543899 wrote: Why not just put a valve on the input line with a T off the return? That's how my reactor is run and I have a constant output. There is no pressure because you don't valve down the output line, only the input line.

That's exactly what I have right now and I can't keep a consistent drip rate from it. I'm not 100% sure why, but I will set it and it will be fine for a day and then drop off to 20% of where I had it. And adjusting a ball-valve on the line is a lot like doing surgery with a chainsaw. It's quite coarse for the adjustment needed.

 

[weaglereefer]

Oh, I got a needle valve that has quick fittings on it. Cost like $7.

 

[jef4y]

Update... I knew that regardless, I'd have to throttle it, it's just that throttling a lower amount is easier than dialing back a firehose.

As intended, I implemented a dual-throttling method whereby I have the ballvalve on the input which is dialed down to a steady stream and then I put the needle valve on the exit which controls the drip. Thus far it's staying very consistent. Guess time will tell on it.

 

[weaglereefer]

Cool. Are you using the prefilter for the Aqualifter?

 

[grouper therapy]

One area to look into is the pressure setting on your co2 regulator. If it is set a little high it can pressurize the reactor and cause variations in effluent output rate.

 

[jef4y]

au01st;544971 wrote: Cool. Are you using the prefilter for the Aqualifter?

I skipped the aqualifter and am still T'd off my main return.

grouper wrote: One area to look into is the pressure setting on your co2 regulator. If it is set a little high it can pressurize the reactor and cause variations in effluent output rate.

I'd have to look at the pressure on the regulator, but don't konw that i can actually change it. Just curious, what difference would the regulator pressure make when it's dialed back by a bubble counter?

 

[grouper therapy]

JeF4y;544979 wrote: I skipped the aqualifter and am still T'd off my main return.



I'd have to look at the pressure on the regulator, but don't konw that i can actually change it. Just curious, what difference would the regulator pressure make when it's dialed back by a bubble counter?

I don't think it would. I was thinking you were using a ph controller for some reason and just had the bubble counter valve opened up.

 

[jef4y]

grouper therapy;544988 wrote: [/B]I don't think it would. I was thinking you were using a ph controller for some reason and just had the bubble counter valve opened up.

I use both. I use a controller, probe & solenoid to keep it 6.8-7.1 as a failsafe, but use the bubble counter to try and keep it within the range without the controller kicking in. I generally have it close enough that the solenoid only trips around once a week if even.