How is your Calcium reactor Plumbed?

[stang69]

Do you have it outside the sump drawing in water and returning it via drip? Do you have in inside the sump drawin in water and returning it via drip? A pic would help alot or a drawing


TIA Jeff

[golfish]

outside the sump with a MJ 1200 feeding it from the sump. I then return it to the same area of the sump except that I have the effluent drip into a large glass beer mug. The mug is about 1" above the water level in the sump. This allows me to throw my PH probe in the mug when I need to check effluent PH.....

[dougchambers]

We have our reactor next to the sump and feed it with a small Mag pump. The drip is regulated at the effluent end next to the sump inlet.

The reactor recirculation is done by a Mag2. There are some pictures under our [SETUP] section on the website.

Doug

[stang69]

OK this is where I am confused... Do I need a feed pump like a maxi 1200 or can I run without? Whats the advantages or having one? I have a mag 2 for the circ. pump btw.


Thanks guys
Jeff

[dougchambers]

Jeff,

I've seen some people feed their reactor off the sump return line or the sump feed line.

Most of the systems I've seen utilize a separate feed pump to maintain consistency. Effectively you just need to create a positive feed pressure to the reactor.


Doug

[stang69]

So what your saying is I need some kinda feed because the mag 2 wont pull enuff in from the feed line? What is going out wont be pulled in without right?


Jeff

[golfish]

Originally posted by stang69
OK this is where I am confused... Do I need a feed pump like a maxi 1200 or can I run without? Whats the advantages or having one? I have a mag 2 for the circ. pump btw.


Thanks guys
Jeff

Jeff,
Some reactors use the same pump (in-sump) to feed and circulate. Most don't. Either way you need a pump to circulate the water in the reactor and feed the reactor.....Its pretty simple stuff once you see how it works....

You NEED to pump water from the tank to the reactor, how else will you get water to it? I use a Mag2 for circ and a MJ 1200 to feed it

What kind of reactor are you setting up?

[dougchambers]

Originally posted by stang69
So what your saying is I need some kinda feed because the mag 2 wont pull enuff in from the feed line? What is going out wont be pulled in without right? - Jeff

Jeff,

That's right. You need to feed the reactor independent of the recirculation loop. I like to keep the chamber at a bit of a positive pressure which is accomplished by a separate feed pump and regulating the flow via a needle valve at the effluent.

Doug

[stang69]

It is a Dual chamber that Scubadude made for me

[scubadude]

Hey Jeff

Some ppl I have heard can even gravity feed from their tank and drip their effluent, I have heard of others tapping into their return pumps but most just use a Maxijet....Mine is plumbed exactly like Golfish except i use a Maxijet 400 or 600 cant remember....you dont need much to supply it, I dont recommend gravity feed and I think FWIW that a simple powerhead will work great for your feed....So to answer your question NO you cant use the Mag2 for your feed supply. Let me know if you need I can probably take some pics.

[reefhead]

i gravity feed my reactor with a toms filter--scuba made mine 2

[stang69]

Yes Rocky if you would pls take some pics


Jeff

If you would email them to me also Thanks

[oscar c]

might want to take a look at MTC out of new jersey ,they make a nice reactor

[Papa Doug]

I use a Mag2 for recirc. and a Hagen 301 feed pump. Tried the siphon, never liked it, pressure to un-reliable.

[stang69]

Ok I understand the reasoning behind it now. It keeps the effluent drip constant. Man I am so blind sometimes. Thanks for being patient with me and understanding. hehehhehe

Jeff

[golfish]

Using a gravity feed or smaller pump might work. Some people have problems with this because the effluent drip rate isn't consitant. You'll just have to see what works for your reactor

[stang69]

Well its up and runing In the sink. I ended up taking a maxi 600 outa my wifdes tank to feed it but we r up and sink running. I will let it run till tonight to make sure everything works right. 6.5 effluent drip right? I think thats what I read on a earlier post.


Jeff

[scubadude]

[stang69]

Thanks for the Pics Dude. Im keepiing my fingers crossed hoioping I am close with my settings.


Jeff

I will keep you posted

[stang69]

I just got my cal.reactor goin again and I seem to get a bubble between the top of the first chamber and the bottom of the second. It happens about every 2 hours or so. Do I need to upgrade my feed pump to a maxi 1200 I have a 600 on there now.


Jeff