I can't seem to keep the drip rate on my MRC CR2 calcium reactor constant. I set the drip rate, come back several hours later or overnight only to find that the drip stopped and the water level in the first chamber has dropped. I then have to open the needle valve on the second chamber, purge out the air, and set the drip rate again. This can't be good. I'm feeding the reactor with a small line tapped off of a Reeflo Marlin pump. Any idea why this is happening?
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MRC CR2 Drip Rate
- Thread starter NEWSALT
- Start date
I have been having the same problem with my CR-1. I have tended lately to go for a higher flow rate, a fast drip, almost a stream, because there's less clogging.
If the reactor has been plugged there's a real chance your media has melted from the low internal pH (mine did) and that makes the clogging much worse. Open the reactor and grab a handful, unless you're sure it's not melted.
Bax said he was baxflushing, er, backflushing the ball valve weekly to prevent this at some point.
What a pain in the neck. "Cruise Control for Your Reef" my butt.
If the reactor has been plugged there's a real chance your media has melted from the low internal pH (mine did) and that makes the clogging much worse. Open the reactor and grab a handful, unless you're sure it's not melted.
Bax said he was baxflushing, er, backflushing the ball valve weekly to prevent this at some point.
What a pain in the neck. "Cruise Control for Your Reef" my butt.
Water is going to choose the path of least resistance. I had the same issues with my mrc cr4 until I fed it with a dedicated powerhead. I dont think your line is clogging up, it just takes alot of pressure to force water through all those little hoses and media. It is alot of friction on the water. If you put a valve on the Marlin line above or after the tap that feeds the reactor, you may be able to add some back pressure to force water through the reactor line. Just close that valve a slight bit. Like jimroth said, I opt for a slow piss coming out of the line rather than drop by drop.
I had the same problem with a similar designed reactor, I had to use a maxi 1200 as a feed pump and run the drip at almost constant stream, but every once in awhile it still would slow down to almost a stop.
I never had any problems with my GEO reactor, over a year now and never have/had to adjust it after I had it dialed in, they are the best calcium reactors IMO
I never had any problems with my GEO reactor, over a year now and never have/had to adjust it after I had it dialed in, they are the best calcium reactors IMO
I could never get it dialed in for long periods of time, I think it's a combination of the ball valve and the way the chambers get fed, it almost seemed like it would loose pressure. I wound up selling the reactor and getting a single chamber Octopus but now I finally saved up enough money and will be replacing that with another GEO.