- Messages
- 93
- Reaction score
- 6
The small valve that regulates the drip back to the sump is getting stopped up every day . Is this a problem for everyone. Anything I can do.
cal reactor help
- Thread starter mike oglesby
- Start date
I agree.. Same thing happens/ed to me. More flow through helped, but then you can't dial in as good...
I have it wide open with no co2 now trying to get everything back to normal from that and the loose ph wire
I have it wide open with no co2 now trying to get everything back to normal from that and the loose ph wire
- Messages
- 93
- Reaction score
- 6
I don't see how I am going to get stable cal numbers with opening and closing this valve everyday
I don't have an issue. Two things that might help your issue:
1. Effluent tube is vertical where it drips into sump - not horizontal
2. Run my drip rate around 60 drops a minute - decent flow through. It is dialed in through the use of a ph controller - not drip rate and bubble count. Had issues in the past with clogging when I tried to control by drip count.
If it is still getting clogged at the valve, try to get one of the valves MRC uses ... I'm sure they are available from somewhere. Other valves I've used in the past had issues. MRC valve is by far the best one I've ever used ... by a wide margin.
1. Effluent tube is vertical where it drips into sump - not horizontal
2. Run my drip rate around 60 drops a minute - decent flow through. It is dialed in through the use of a ph controller - not drip rate and bubble count. Had issues in the past with clogging when I tried to control by drip count.
If it is still getting clogged at the valve, try to get one of the valves MRC uses ... I'm sure they are available from somewhere. Other valves I've used in the past had issues. MRC valve is by far the best one I've ever used ... by a wide margin.
Mike I had the same problem. Mine Is a white plastic needle valve. I changed 2 things. I took the needle valve apart and trimmed the tip off and reinstalled. I noticed immediately the flow was much easier to control. Second I went to a fine media. Rather than the coarse media reef octopus recommends.
Now the reactor maintains the levels close to perfect.
Now the reactor maintains the levels close to perfect.
- Messages
- 93
- Reaction score
- 6
Reef Tec
Not sure if you had/have MRC's standard valve or you/somebody else removed/modified it, but I've used geo, korallin and another mfg calc reactor ... MRC's valve blew those away. I've seen several "MRC reactors" on ARC with non-MRC tops and/or valving. Certainly way better than a ball valve. 18 months and not a single clog for me. 3 months tops without a clog with my other reactor valves.
I was at SEA and Jeremy showed me a trick to help with clogged effluent lines. You regulate the flow into the reactor, not out from it. Place a John Guest type valve or needle valve on the water in line and adjust that until you get the drip rate you want. The effluent line has no valve or crimper on it at all, open tubing all the way.
Another way to deal with an iffy effluent rate is to use a peristaltic pump to feed the reactor. That eliminates the need for needle valves altogether.
The longer your media has been in the reactor, the more sediment/detritus you will have and the harder the rate is to regulate. Cleaning the reactor and flushing the media help keep a stable effluent rate as well.
US Plastic makes some nice all plastic needle valves. Lots of different styles. I use these:
Another way to deal with an iffy effluent rate is to use a peristaltic pump to feed the reactor. That eliminates the need for needle valves altogether.
The longer your media has been in the reactor, the more sediment/detritus you will have and the harder the rate is to regulate. Cleaning the reactor and flushing the media help keep a stable effluent rate as well.
US Plastic makes some nice all plastic needle valves. Lots of different styles. I use these:
Similar threads
