Kessil

Calcium Reactors

derek_SR

derek_SR

DBTC Coordinator
Staff member
BAR Sponsor
BAR Sponsor
BAR Sponsor
BAR Sponsor
BAR Sponsor
BAR Sponsor
BOD
VP Extraordinaire
Robot
LFS Owner
Honorary Supporting Member
Former BOD
BARcard
Question for folks that are using a CaRx - can I install one in the garage and run the effluent through RODI tubing about 20ft to the house? Would there be any issues with that?

I am kind of tired of messing with kalkwasser (and I suspect it may be precipitating @Alexander1312 ) and 2-part is getting very expensive for the amount I am using. I would like to consider switching to a carx but I do not have the space immediately under the tank for this setup, so wondering if I can use one "remotely".

TIA
 
Only as far as your feed pump will let you. Peristaltic pumps are limited by the vacuum they can create - max vertical lift is around 32ft. I'd guess horizontally you'd be fine horizontally up to 30ft then flows rates may decrease. Keep in mind the total distance is a round trip of the fluid, into reactor from tank, then back.

I got tired of messing with kalk and two part too. That's why I got way too many calcium reactors tuning at my house.
 
derek_SR said:
Question for folks that are using a CaRx - can I install one in the garage and run the effluent through RODI tubing about 20ft to the house? Would there be any issues with that?

I am kind of tired of messing with kalkwasser (and I suspect it may be precipitating @Alexander1312 ) and 2-part is getting very expensive for the amount I am using. I would like to consider switching to a carx but I do not have the space immediately under the tank for this setup, so wondering if I can use one "remotely".

TIA
Click to expand...
It should be fine.
 
RandyC said:
Only as far as your feed pump will let you. Peristaltic pumps are limited by the vacuum they can create - max vertical lift is around 32ft. I'd guess horizontally you'd be fine horizontally up to 30ft then flows rates may decrease. Keep in mind the total distance is a round trip of the fluid, into reactor from tank, then back.

I got tired of messing with kalk and two part too. That's why I got way too many calcium reactors tuning at my house.
Click to expand...

I am using an ecotech versa right now to move kalk from the garage to the tank, so I assume this pump will do the same for carx effluent.

What do you mean by round trip? If the entire carx assembly is in the garage, and only the effluent is going to the tank, is there a need for a round trip line from the tank itself? isn't the effluent a one-way street?
 
derek_SR said:
I am using an ecotech versa right now to move kalk from the garage to the tank, so I assume this pump will do the same for carx effluent.

What do you mean by round trip? If the entire carx assembly is in the garage, and only the effluent is going to the tank, is there a need for a round trip line from the tank itself? isn't the effluent a one-way street?
Click to expand...
I think he means since you have 20 feet of run, you'd want a pump that can handle at least 40 feet (round trip of tubing).
 
So it needs to pull water from the tank? I have no idea how these operate.

This means I'll need to either replace my AWC or run a 4th tube. Currently I have 3 lines to the garage - 1 kalk, 1 SW, 1 wastewater
 
1747330201888.png
 
derek_SR said:
So it needs to pull water from the tank? I have no idea how these operate.
Click to expand...
Yup. Then there's the debate between push and pull. Do you have the pump on the input side and push water into the reactor and forces effluent out? Or you do you have the pump on the effluent side and pulls water through the reactor? Pull is supposed to be better in case of clogs but I had issues with a vacuum leak so I ended up setting it up to push.

btw since it's in your garage, go for a bigger co2 tank (20lb+). Cheaper to refill
 
CaseyP said:
Yup. Then there's the debate between push and pull. Do you have the pump on the input side and push water into the reactor and forces effluent out? Or you do you have the pump on the effluent side and pulls water through the reactor? Pull is supposed to be better in case of clogs but I had issues with a vacuum leak so I ended up setting it up to push.

btw since it's in your garage, go for a bigger co2 tank (20lb+). Cheaper to refill
Click to expand...

do not pull with a versa. The small barb on the tubing they use will clog like crazy. I pull on all my masterflex pumps, but only push on versa.
 
CaseyP said:
Yup. Then there's the debate between push and pull. Do you have the pump on the input side and push water into the reactor and forces effluent out? Or you do you have the pump on the effluent side and pulls water through the reactor? Pull is supposed to be better in case of clogs but I had issues with a vacuum leak so I ended up setting it up to push.

btw since it's in your garage, go for a bigger co2 tank (20lb+). Cheaper to refill
Click to expand...
I believe pushing is better because of a pressure build up if you pull. Some reactors are meant to run under some pressure, but most now are not.
 
Glad you asked this question. I'm in the middle of planning for how to provide key elements for a new system. Go the kalk method and supplement with 2 part. Or go with a Cal Reactor. I appreciate being able to read and learn.
 
Use one of those gas filters on the intake to minimize clogs. Also, 40 ft shouldn’t be a problem for decent peristaltic pumps. My buddy had a awc using Tom’s pumps at that distance.
 
@derek_SR I will do my best to not hijack.
RandyC said:
I got tired of messing with kalk and two part too. That's why I got way too many calcium reactors tuning at my house.
Click to expand...
What's the right approach to ensure you get the right sized reactor btw?

My hope was to run kalk in the garage also. But I had a feeling I would end up being forced to do 2-part eventually. Thankfully there's only a wall and a few feet where I wanted to place the reservoir. So I don't think I'll be limited with the distance too much. At least I hope not. I'll be running a Neptune DOS. I honestly did not consider the calcium reactor because I thought it would end up being more expensive. Is that incorrect? Or is it more expensive but less maintenance/hassle which would offset the value over your time spent making kalk solution.
 
psidriven said:
I thought ph probe to control the co2 solenoid is usually in the carx cylinder, not in the sump. Or is that as a safety not control?
Click to expand...
If you run a pH probe it should be in the carx. I have never bothered with a probe, I just run extra CO2.
 
Thanks for the advice. Are "automatic" reactors worth it? How much space does yours realistically take up - can I just assume the footprint of the unit + the co2 cannister is all I'll need to make room for?
 
ReyDeFarts said:
@derek_SR I will do my best to not hijack.

What's the right approach to ensure you get the right sized reactor btw?

My hope was to run kalk in the garage also. But I had a feeling I would end up being forced to do 2-part eventually. Thankfully there's only a wall and a few feet where I wanted to place the reservoir. So I don't think I'll be limited with the distance too much. At least I hope not. I'll be running a Neptune DOS. I honestly did not consider the calcium reactor because I thought it would end up being more expensive. Is that incorrect? Or is it more expensive but less maintenance/hassle which would offset the value over your time spent making kalk solution.
Click to expand...

- Bigger = less maintenance
- Secondary chamber = pH of effluent will increase before entering tank
- 20lb co2 container will last years

I've never calculated the cost, but I touch my carx once, maybe twice a year. I think people have run the cost and it really only makes sense if you have a high stony coral population (tons of acros) on probably a 75 gallon+ tank. But I run it on everything...I could care less about the size. Ease of maintenance is more important to me. I've run it on as small as a 25 gallon tank. :p

derek_SR said:
Thanks for the advice. Are "automatic" reactors worth it? How much space does yours realistically take up - can I just assume the footprint of the unit + the co2 cannister is all I'll need to make room for?
Click to expand...

I've never bought into the "automatic" carx. You can do without easily. In the old days, it may have been more difficult with a needle valve and a feed pump (impeller type), but with peristaltic pumps and pH probe, easy peasy.

Footprint can be significant. Reactor, secondary reactor, CO2 tank, regulator, and peristaltic pump can take up quite a bit of real estate.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top