constant drip rate with Ca reactor?

[ickmagnet]

I've been gravity feeding my Ca reactor and I find that I have to adjust the drip rate every two or three days. Is there a better method? I hear that some people use pumps. Any suggestions and how much would a workable pump cost?

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

You could feed it through your main pump.
it will pressurize the reactor and the valve will be adjusted accordingly.
mine been running that way for a year.

[Delphinus]

I settled on using a small powerhead to feed the reactor from the sump and then a dripline valve on the exit side of the reactor to adjust the effluent rate. Wasn't perfect: it would tend to vary a tiny bit, some days a little higher, some days a little lower. The overall average flowrate was the basic key. If I ever did a calcium reactor again (but I wouldn't, but if I did) I would use a peristaltic pump or a metering pump set at the desired flowrate.

[mark]

started off just by tapping off my main pump to feed mine.

[ickmagnet]

Nice pic. So I guess I would just drill a little hole in the PVC on the return pipe.

[mark]

drill, tap and a little teflon tape...

[reefermadness]

Originally Posted by ickmagnet

. Is there a better method?

yes...dosing pumps and 2 part.

seriously though I got tired or adjusting my old ca reactor and went 2 part. I feel its much more controlled and calculated system.

[whatcaneyedo]

Mine's fed from my return line the same way Mark is describing. I've got it dialed in so that now I only adjust it about once a month and service the reactor once every three months. I've done the required reading for 2 part but to me it still sounds like a lot more work compared to a Ca reactor if you can figure it out.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

I've done the required reading for 2 part but to me it still sounds like a lot more work compared to a Ca reactor if you can figure it out.

+1
same here, reactor is way cheaper, simpler (once you figure it out, they all are the same principle), less testing and corals love it!
If dosing screwed its more trouble in very short time. If calc reactor screwed you have a lot longer to fix the problem.

Sure dosing is a nice toy, just like LED lighting (compare to MH) but it cost so much more initially as well as in the long run to replace all vulnerable parts i am staying away from it.

I go for what is simpler, has less vulnerable/breakable parts, easy to control/fix, does not require large investment and the only moving part is the circ pump. Can't make it more simple.

[Willito]

CA reactors are PITA to get working properly. I've tried every possible way without good results until I implemented a peristaltic pump. The feed to the reactor was gravity fed and the output was attached to a peristaltic pump. I formulated the amount of drops the tank required and got a non adjustable pump to match that (think it was 50ml/minute). Of course a variable speed pump (adjustable) would have been better, but thought it was too pricey at the time. With a CA reator you do need to run a ph controller to properly adjust the ph, otherwise it's a guessing game and the results become sporatic. After getting a consistant result for a year, the pump started getting noisy, too much ware on the motor 24/7. This is when I switched to 3 part dosing with a high end dosing pump. This setup was highly controllable, accurate, easy to use, and a nice piece of mind. Next to the RO/DI filters, this is the best investment for any reef requiring contant dosing. Scrap the CA reactor and join the new era of reefing, you'll see what I mean.