My DIY Calc reactor and a question.

T

tres0422

Hey guys. First DIY post. I made a calc reactor it wasn't too hard and I only used everyday tools. Here is a pic let me know if you need any more detailed pics.

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The question is should a mag 7 get hot to the touch when running it in this setup? My mag 7 was noisey and hot when running it this way. Does anyone have any ideas why? I have the input to the pump from the reaction chamber as 1/2" Clear PVC then it goes to 3/4" Clear PVC where it is fed by the CO2 Supply and Sump water supply both 1/4" lines then it goes to the pump. Then from the pump it goes into a 3/4" line that goes into the reaction chamber. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
It doesn't look like you've put a screen to prevent the CaCO3 from going into the pump. This will probably cause the pump to seize.
 
The intake for the pump is on the top. It is an updraft style calc reactor. This should make it next to impossible for the gravel to get in the pump. Do you think it is likely that gravel is working its way to the pump throught the output from the pump?
 
If the mag dies on you, try an eheim with less flow. I've had one on my ca for years now. Mag's don't do well externally imo.
 
@tres0422 wrote:
The intake for the pump is on the top. It is an updraft style calc reactor. This should make it next to impossible for the gravel to get in the pump. Do you think it is likely that gravel is working its way to the pump throught the output from the pump? said:
Sorry,

I didn't realize the intake was on top. Then this is not the cause of the Mag overheating. The C02 is feeding into the input right. The noise may then be caused by cavitation if the Co2 flow is too high. Like Tony said, Mag's run warm externally. Is it too hot to keep your hand on it. My external mag 7 is warm but I'm able to keep my hand on it without pain. What a test, right? :)
Click to expand...
 
I am going to yank it apart tonight and make sure it isn't just crud building up inside of it. It is actually hot. Not "can't keep my hand on it hot", but definately hot. I can hear the split second cavitation ...I am running roughly 1 bubble per 2 seconds. So I hear the bubble hit the impeller then clear.

I am running a mag 18 turned way down on my tank and it feels slightly warm, but never hot. I should turn on my mag 9.5 on my skimmer and see how it feels.

Tony, Do you use a pressurized line to feed sump water to the Ca Reactor or do you use the Ca Reactor's siphoning ability?

Thanks for the input guys. Did either of you have any recomendations on the Ca reactor? ....Aside from the eheim pump?
 
I'd add more media. Have you tested the effluent for alk, pH and ca?
 
I am just making sure everything works as it should before I dump in more media.

I tested the PH and it is right at about 7.8. Since it has passed through the media at that point I want to believe it is <7.6 when it begins to flow through the media so it should be breaking it down. I am going to test the Ca after the pump decides to start working right. What do you use to test your Alk? I only found stuff that was intended for freshwater. If I understand correctly what I really want to measure is Carbonate Hardness. Is that correct?

I am not using a Tee off of the return to the tank for the Ca reactor supply. I am relying on the venturi created by having the 1/2" - 3/4" interface. It seems to suck the water pretty well.
 
There's just enough suction on the intake side of my pump for it to pull its own water through a short tube. No pump or gravity to aid.
 
You're going to need to drop pH down to 6.5 to dissolve the media. But don't go lower. :)
 
Where do I get plans and parts list for this reactor :?: :?:

How much did it cost and where are the components purchased?

What pump was finally used successfully?

Or
How was it fixed to make the Mag 7 work?

That's one nice looking reactor :!:
 
Josh,
I have rectified the problem by adding tee to my return pump outlet for my tank and using that to feed my reactor. I think the turnover for the reactor is still low so I am going to add a shelf(eggcrate and mesh) to give me more area for my pump to push water into the media.

I will post some pics of the stuff once I decide not to be lazy and make the shelf. I have been a horrible reefer lately and my tank has been neglected.

I can't even begin to tell you cost, since I did it with junk I had laying around from other projects and random plumbing stuff. If you need the Tee Eliminators I have those just let me know and I will sell them to you for what I bought them for. <$2.00 each. mail order. The plans were all in my head. I just made it from what I saw pictures of and had laying around. Sorry man. I can measure or take more pics of whatever parts you need/want to see.

Thanks,
Thomas
 
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