Juiceman Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Ok, I can't keep my co2 pumping into my reactor. There's nothing blocking the air line, so I'm trying to figure out what the issue is. My reactor is being fed by the return pump of my tank. I have the flow turned down at the intake of the reactor to the drip rate I've been using for the past year. When the bubbles start flowing when the solenoid turns on, they gradually slow down until nothing is coming out anymore. Thus the pH of the effluent won't stay in the proper range. The co2 tank was just refilled, and the pressure is at 35psi. It's a 6 month old regulator. I'm guessing the pressure inside the reactor is causing the co2 to not be able to be bubbled in, but I don't know how to fix this issue. Any ideas would be helpful. I do not have a check valve on the co2 line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Can you reroute the flow control to be at reactor effluent instead of at the intake? May help with control. Also, have you tried running unit without a solenoid? Just to see if the bubbles stop in that configuration as well to maybe eliminate the solenoid as the issue? They are prone to failure and need to be replaced/repaired every couple of years. Lastly, have you cleaned out your entire CaRX? Including the tubing and the cloth at the bottom below the rubble? There are times when the media gets reduced so small that it clogs up the cloth/pumps/tubing causing it to be difficult for your effluent to leave your reactor. I'd be careful with this situation as you may pop the top off your CaRX if too much pressure builds up. Sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Can you reroute the flow control to be at reactor effluent instead of at the intake? May help with control. Also, have you tried running unit without a solenoid? Just to see if the bubbles stop in that configuration as well to maybe eliminate the solenoid as the issue? They are prone to failure and need to be replaced/repaired every couple of years. Lastly, have you cleaned out your entire CaRX? Including the tubing and the cloth at the bottom below the rubble? There are times when the media gets reduced so small that it clogs up the cloth/pumps/tubing causing it to be difficult for your effluent to leave your reactor. I'd be careful with this situation as you may pop the top off your CaRX if too much pressure builds up. Sent via Tapatalk I had the flow control on the effluent side originally, and was having this problem. I tried to move it to the intake to relieve some of the pressure from the pump. The solenoid is working fine. I've tested it. I have not cleaned it out yet. That's my next resort if I can't figure out whats wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I had a similar problem. I raised the pressure with the front black knob and then dialed in the needle Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Juiceman, can you take a picture of your setup? Closeups of your regulator too? Sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 I'm going to do a cleaning and re-setup tomorrow. I'm going to install a check valve on the co2 line, I needed to refill media anyway. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 I should also say that it's working correctly currently, but I'm still going to clean it and add the check valve anyway. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Good call on the check valve, if saltwater hits that cylinder, it's toast! Sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 I'm thinking that's the root of my issues Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Uh oh! I hope not! I'll be in the area showing houses tonight. If you want, I can run by and put a 2nd pair of eyes on it to see if anything looks amiss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Ty came by last night since he was in the neighborhood. I had just finished cleaning everything and refilling media. I removed to bubble counter on the regulator and added an air check valve on the co2 line. Worked great through the night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 That thing was purring like a kitten...err... bubbling like a calcium reactor. I was digging the LPS tank you set up on the side to go along with your SPS tank. Looked great! Sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 What's the air check valve for? Did you open the needle all the way and start controlling the gas with the air check? Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 No, the valve is to make no water gets back pressured into the co2 valve and regulator which is what was happening. Similar to a water check valve but it's designed for airline Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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