[Poseidon]

Thanks Charlie! I hope this thread is helpful, it is FUN that is for sure!

I'll call the shop where I had the tank filled, it is only a couple miles from my house. Of course that will have to wait till TOMORROW!

[charlie]

PVC= big boys play toys.

[zhenya]

I'll call the shop where I had the tank filled, it is only a couple miles from my house. Of course that will have to wait till TOMORROW!

That's your best bet, Mike. Instead of calling and trying to explain what exactly you need just drive down there if it;s only couple of miles. For some reason I always had trouble explaining what it is exactly bothering me... Maybe I'm just old grumpy reefer?
Where exactly your reactor is leaking, Mike?

[Poseidon]

Well now it is leaking from the gasket.... All the way around!

I had a leak from the bottom of the reactor, where the hose barb attaches to the reactor. I epoxied the crap outta that threaded barb, and I think it is resolved.

The gasket material I am using is the same as the gasket on the other 2 reactors we built, why MINE is the only one leaking, is my bad luck I guess.

[Poseidon]

Ca Reactor Update: Gasket problem FIXED! I found some closed cell foam at Joann's fabric store, called "Foamies", I bought 2 3mm pieces, and used both!

Now the EHEIM Pump is leaking!!!! ARGH! I am going to put my MAG5 on there instead for recirculation. Just need a few different PVC pieces. Another trip to Lowes!

I didn't have any luck with the CO2 tank adapter yet either, so that is on the to do list for tomorrow as well.

Here are a few more pictures, this time actinic only:

[Poseidon]

Hmm..... HAving issues with hotlinking tonight.....

Perfect Pix Photography- powered by SmugMug

[Cas]

Love the pics.

[Poseidon]

Well here are some updates to the sump:

Giant sized Ca Reactor:


That Sprite bottle is a 1 liter, and it is in there for size reference.

Chaeto Basket... I need to get another bulb, or 2 I broke one....


Overall from the front of the sump:


Auto Top Off and pH Controller:


As of right now, the effluent is at 25dKh @ a pH of 6.8, not to bad I don't think. My drip rate is about 2 drops a second, I may increase that, but want to start out slowly. Wish me luck!

[Poseidon]

Here is a closeup of my reactor, and my home made Venturi:

That venturi serves to recirculate any CO2 that accumulates at the top of the reactor, and it does also serve as the water input. One of the sister reactors we built uses just the venturi to draw in water from the sump, no feed pump at all!

[rjs5134]

Mike,

What is the coral in the third picture in your November 30th post?

Thanks

[charlie]

Good Lord Mike, that thing is a monster!!! Things are looking good, what is that thing getting your Ca. levels too?

[SouthBayPhoto]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

Look! It's a big box of sesame seed sticks! My gosh...that damn thing is bigger than my friggin' 46g! Hehehe... Cool though!

[Poseidon]

Originally Posted by rjs5134

Mike,

What is the coral in the third picture in your November 30th post?

Thanks

That is a form of Pavona Sp. I wish I could give you more details.

Originally Posted by charlie

Good Lord Mike, that thing is a monster!!! Things are looking good, what is that thing getting your Ca. levels too?

Uh.... That is a problem at the moment! 500ppm! My Alk was only 6/7 though, so I did a 10 gallon water change and mixed up the IO to an Alk of 12. I have a feeling I will need to do another couple water changes to get things right.

[Reefland]

Mike, I love the three "stag type" acro's you've got growing in there. Your tank looks absolutely spectacular!

[Poseidon]

Thanks Scott! I have some bad news though....

If you had a Ca reactor running, and you were feeding it with your return pump, which do you think would fail first?

This:


Or this:








Answer:







I am still in shock myself! I have had nothing but issues with this reactor, leaking gasket, leaking recirculation pump, leaking regulator.... I persevere through all that, get the BEAST up and running, and then I try to do some fine tuning.... POW OUT THE SIDE GOES!

I will look at my options later, this may be the proverbial straw... I have to calm down, I think a Jack and Sprite or 2 are in my immediate future.

[SouthBayPhoto]

Awwww man....

Just not cool. Sorry to see that happen man.

Take a deep breath and wait a bit before you get back at it. I feel for ya man, I really do!

[Poseidon]

Thanks Mat, I just don't understand. I had TWO ball valves on the feed, the first was a regular 3/4" valve, the next was one of those little blue and white ones that are for 1/4" OD tubing. I can't believe that the Blueline 55 could produce enough pressure to blow out the side like that.... I wonder if the CO2 input had anything to do with it.... I am just really heartbroken right now.... On the verge of unplugging the whole da%& thing!

[charlie]

Wow, that is not cool. Sit back and do like Mat said, plus take a good stiff shot of Jack, and sit back again. You obviously have to take the reactor offline, but don't toss it in the garbage can, the Olympics don't have that sport yet!!!!
I know you worked a long time on this, but is it fixable?

[Poseidon]

ANything can be fixed.... The question is do I want to?

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

ANything can be fixed.... The question is do I want to?

Yeah, you probably do.