Calcium Reactor feed valve: Do you have trouble adjusting fo

[Nathan1]

My reactor is just over 3 weeks old. I have a needle valve that I can use to adjust the flow of water through the reactor. However I am having a hard time getting a constant flow. I'll set it to 40ml/min and the next day it will be significantly less, like 25ml/min or 30ml/min. So I open the valve a tiny bit and repeat the process only to have the same thing happen again. I'm using a MJ400 to feed the reactor.

What do you use to accurately control the flow of water through your reactor?

What powerhead and valve are you using to feed the reactor?

Would buying a more powerful powerhead that produces greater pressure make it easier to control the flow with the valve?

Thanks for your help!

-Nathan

 

[Dewey]

There is a little bit of tricky-ness to the adjustment, but I agree it could be your power head. I would consider T-ing off your return line to get a constant (and light) flow. You don't need alot of pressure, you just need it to be very constant.

 

[golfish]

Nathan,
My guess is your feed pump is not strong enough. I use a MJ 1200 on my Geo reactor.

 

[-JB]

I have the same problem. you think it's the pressure going into the reator? I always thought it was the valve getting clogged. I have a MJ 600 going into the reactor. it seems to be plenty, but I have they same problem with my effluent valve, it's not holding a constant value. Always adjusting it, going on 2 months. Always thought it was a bad valve. hmmmm.

 

[mweber]

This ate my lunch untill I added a secondary regulator between the CO2 bottle regulator and the needle valve. I used a natural gas regulator set at about 1 PSI.

 

[henkelsfamily1]

The trick is both pressure and consistancy. Your best bet is to T off from your return or from your skimmer. are you using a selanoid? If so this should aid in the set up and dial in of the reactor. Good luck.

Walter