Ok so my reactor been online for almost 2 weeks. Over the past week I've had to adjust the drip rate daily because it is closed or something. Is that normal for a value to do that?? I've also noticed that there was alot of salt creep. So I'm re-Teflon taping all the fittings is that ok?

Thanks,
Colin

Colin,
mine is doing the exact same thing.On my regulator,I can adjust the bubble count to maybe 40-50 per minute,and then in the morning,it will be almost none at all.IDK if it can be cleaned or what?

Tagging along on this one.

Is it a drip problem on the CO2 reg. or the output? Mine acted strange on both for about 2 weeks but finally settled down. It is probably a pressure thing going through the media if the problem is on the output side. My CO2 reg. needle valve is VERY sensitive but stabilized after a few weeks.

Jonathan

It is the output. The valve always needs adjusting.

how are you driving it? some valves are better than others, and will clog with the extremely high calcium content in that water.

a more powerful drive pump can keep the flow consistant. best results I had were from an aqualifter, low volume, but alot of oomph behind it.

It has a rio 400 for the feed pump and a mag 2 recirculating it. Is that to much?

Smaller particles can clog it but they will eventually dissolve or be pushed through. Open it fully for a second when it happens again to flush any particles out that may be built up around the valve.

rio 400 can be sorta wimpy, it pushes more water, but when restricted has very little head pressure behind it to force water through an obstructed valve.

mag 2 is the recirculating pump, thats fine, might try upsizing the feed pump to something with more huevos.

Smaller particles can clog it but they will eventually dissolve or be pushed through. Open it fully for a second when it happens again to flush any particles out that may be built up around the valve.

This is a temp solution, itll get you running again, but atleast in my experience, it will happen again.

are you guys having issues with the SAME brand? or is it not cool to mention brands? It may just be a less than great valve or regulator?

B

My reactor is an MRC. But i believe that the reason I'm having these problems is because I purchased the reactor in July of LAST year and it sat in-active for so long. Ares I'll try a MJ in a second I just finished re-taping now.

are you guys having issues with the SAME brand? or is it not cool to mention brands? It may just be a less than great valve or regulator?

B

the obstruction comes in the outlet of the reactor, not the CO2 regulator, CO2 will always flow. but the outlet of a calcium reactor, the water outlet, is extremely restricted, as we want a drop flow going through it. that tiny opening can be easily clogged by the smallest particle of poo or calcium buildup if the pump isnt forcing it through with some oomph.

there are some cheaper valves that are more subseptable to this happening, but none are exempt from it.