Problems with MRC Calc Reactor

[jschottenfeld]

I've been running an MRC 1 with a spray bar option for a couple of years now. For the first year everything was fine with the exception of some cheap regulators crapping out after 4 to 6 mos of use, switched over to the Aquarium plants electronic regulator and that has worked nicely. I use a Reefkeeper lite to monitor the ph of the effluent at 6.5 and control my CO2 tank.

Relatively speaking...the first year of use went smoothly, over the last year or so I continually have problems with the drip of my effluent stopping. I will dial in the drip rate anywhere from 1 drop every 1/2 second to just short of a constant stream...after a few days the drip stops.

Here are things that I changed to help alleviate the problem:

• In the beginning I used a small maxi-jet powerhead to feed water to my reactor. I found that if the reactor stopped dripping for a period the pump would back up and stop pumping water. I recently changed this to tap off of a supply line into my display and gravity feed into the reactor.
• I changed the John Guest speedfit with a new one
• I continually try to rinse out my Reborn or Aragonite media because when it stops dripping my CO2 keeps pumping and the media breaks down even faster.
• Recently I moved my effluent cup closer to the reactor so that it is a more vertical drop as opposed to a more diagonal drop.
• I tried slowing down my CO2 rate of bubbles.
• I tried adjusting the size of the CO2 bubbles (gotta love the regulator!)

I would really appreciate any input on this one. It is making me crazy and my SPS have suffered because my calcium levels have dropped.

Thanks,
Jan

 

[MIKE NY]

I've been running a MRC dual chmber for many years and had the same problem. I just increased the effuent flow rate to more of a stream while increasing the bubble count. With a stronger flow rate there is a less likely hood of anything clogging up. My bubble counter is attached to the regulator so about once a year I clean them out with hot water and vinagar even though I use RO/DI water in the counter.

 

[jschottenfeld]

I will try the steady flow and see how that works. Just don't understand why more people aren't having this problem.

 

[Alex]

what you have, most likely is calcium build up. in addition your flow might be contributing because of the slow drip. There are several things you can do to help keep your drip constant here are a few Ideas:
1-change out your 1/4" hose every couple of months.
2- increase effluent flow.
3- Have the Co2 on a timer so it shuts off when the PH gets to low.

You may want to keep an eye on your phosphate when you increase Co2, or run your effluent into a GFO reactor.

 

[jschottenfeld]

Alex,
Never thought of build up in the 1/4" tubing. I will change that out. I have always thought the effluent flow should be a drip instead of a stream...but it might have to be a stream. CO2 is controlled by a Reefkeeper lite so that it working well except when the flow stops, gradually the effluent that is in my cup with the ph probe slowly rises so that the controller gets tricked into thinking it needs to supply more. I guess that I can put it also on a timer to reduce the problem somewhat.

 

[pecan2phat]

Lots of reefers will use peristaltic pumps to feed a stubborn CA reactor to overcome the clogging issue with the effluent line.

 

[Alex]

The change of the 1/4" tubing might be all you need, so do that first. As for the stream flow some have their flow a bit more with less Co2. Keep it the way you have it and change the tubing, you'll probably see a major difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[MIKE NY]

I still have all the orginal tubing and fittings on mine. I clean the reactor and add new media twice a year that is when I just flush out all the tubing and clean out all the fittings.....the steady stronger effluent stream will help.

 

[cali_reef]

The tubing is not clogging... It's the "dirt" in your water being trapped in the flow control valve.

A positive feed pump like peristaltic type will eliminate the need for a flow control valve, alternative is tap the feed line to a high pressure pump. I (actually, my wife) have to open the feed valve every week for a few minuets and re-adjust the feed flow after, my reactor is being fed by a maxi-jet 900, rest of the water goes to the GFO reactor.

 

[jschottenfeld]

I changed the effluent stream to a stronger flow and that seems to help.

 

[Justin_NY]

I just bought the mrc reactor. I thoght the reactor need maxi jet 1200 to feed it. Thats what i see in the manual. But may be im wrong

 

[MIKE NY]

thats what I use ....