Calcium Reactors

[kgross]

I am working on makeing a few Ca reactors to sell, and I will be documenting the plans and process as I get time. But I have a couple of questions for people. Pump flow rate. Are there any good guidelines on the flow rate needed for a set size of a reactor. I am making reactors that are 6 by 18 inches and planning on using a 290 gph pump on them. Looking at the specs on the Geo 618, which is the same size reactor, it is only using a 150 gph pump. While the larger 624 only uses a 250 gph pump. So is my larger pump going to cause a problem, that I can't for see?

2nd question. pH probe port. Most reactors put the pH probe port in the lid. I was thinking about putting it into the plumbing line rather than the lid. The only thing that will be in the lid of my units is a CO2 recirc line. The reason I would rather put the pH into the plumbing is I was thinking that it would give a more stable reading, no chance of CO2 bubbles building up, plus there will be light into the probe, so no chance of algae growth. So what do other people think?

Kim

 

[Anonymous]

1, recirculation rate is very difficult to calculate before hand, and most probably just do it by trival and error. It depends on the drip rate to a great extend, and you can't really controll that, as well as CO2 injection rate, etc. Anything reasonable is fine.

2, People in the lip for easy access. If you put it in the plumbing, you need to make sure it can be inspected and easily replaced. They typically only last for a year or so unless there are better one out there nowadays.

 

[kgross]

Very interesting. Do you know the calculations for recirc rate, I would love to know them. I was guessing that most people just do trial and error and it does some that there is a lot of flexibility in flow rate as well.

pH probe. I never thought about maintenance of the probe. If I put it in the plumbing like I was thinking at least 1/2 if not more of the water in the reactor would have to be drained to remove the probe. So I think leaving it in the lid might be a better idea.

Thank you for the info.

Kim

 

[lemonyx]

Just my .02 cents.

If you go with a bigger pump, you will have to deal with more pressure build up in the "tube" you will need better sealing.

The lid will/should be quick lift off and on, so key hole flanges or a quick turn like on Brent Barr's reactors. I use 3/8" for my flanges for strength and I can really trun the thumb screw down for better sealing. And also for the bases, nothing 1/4" on my stuff.

I make my own "O" rings, I have about a 50' length 1/4" dia and just cut it to size and super glue it together to make my own custom size "O" rings.

You'll need to learn to make tap thread's in acrylic and keep them straight.

The Ph probe as mentioned, is better off in the lid or make a collection cup to hang on for the sump and a holder for the probe. (one idea) The effulent can flow into this cup and drip into the sump, providing arreation for the co2 to escape and reconmended to be place in the fuge area for the cheto to further filter out the co2.

Also you will need to decide wether to have reverse flow in the chamber , meaning bottom to top ot the other way top to bottom will also depend on your pumps output.

sorry for a long post, just some ideas that I use in my designs

good luck

 

[Anonymous]

sorry that I completely missed your question, Kim.

Yes, the recirculation rate is usually done with the TAE method (trial and error). A dozen or so of complete recirulation per minute is sufficient in most cases, unless you have a very high output, and a very small chamber. It can be even lower rate, but higher recir. will get your reactor into static state faster when you reset it.

 

[Ben1]

FWIW my schuran jetstream 1 had the probe in the plumbing and the way it was setup I was able to remove the probe easily with out draining any water. I would remove it and turn the ballvalve to shut off the area where the probe sat in the pipe. I loved the design of this reactor.