Aquarium Engineering Reactor (1 Viewer)

[decimal]

So I picked up a 6” stacked aquarium engineering Ca2 Rx and the way it went was so…
I researched a little and found some info on R2R. It was a review and in the first couple of posts initial results where pretty dang good. Automated Calcium Reactor with no PH probe necessary certainly sounds good. Website was a simple lifetime warranty.
“If it breaks, we will replace” also good. I saw another member was running one and asked him about it. He said it was set to run really low but it worked pretty well.

Ok. I bought it.

Reading that R2R thread a little further, the details became damning. Terrible customer service, sounds like one guy had a great idea, tried to Commercialize and became overwhelmed. Just because you’re good at one thing doesn’t make you a good business man I guess. Then the product.

The reactor itself is great. Pvc body and well made in the USA. Controller… not so much. Pinch valve that you can hear activate 2 rooms away, effluent back wash on power cut and erratic discharge. Manual co2 purges required and the list goes on. I was dismayed to say the least. What a waste. Then some guy Dennis from Canada, dropped some pretty serious automation know how on that thread and bypassed the clunky pinch valve design, the actuators and all the other outdated crap and built a digital, silent co2 setup with automated purge function. Oh hey.. yea so maybe I can still save this thing.

Here is the parts list for everything I ordered…

Amazon.com: DC 12V Digital LCD Display Programmable Timer Relay Weekly Industrial Timer Switch Electronic Timers for Appliances DIN Rail Mount Relay(24V) : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy DC 12V Digital LCD Display Programmable Timer Relay Weekly Industrial Timer Switch Electronic Timers for Appliances DIN Rail Mount Relay(24V): Timer Switches - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

https://a.co/d/bqwPGk7

https://a.co/d/7DNLas9

https://a.co/d/eEhmNdc

https://a.co/d/7bQP8mG

Dinkle Assembly Kit DK10N Red/Black 10 Gang with Jumpers DIN Rail Terminal Blocks, 6-20 AWG, 60 Amp, 600 Volt: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Dinkle Assembly Kit DK10N Red/Black 10 Gang with Jumpers DIN Rail Terminal Blocks, 6-20 AWG, 60 Amp, 600 Volt: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

a.co

https://a.co/d/h8rzmpt

https://www.automation24.com/m12-sensor-cable-ifm-efector-evc004

ET-2-24-V

...one of the must trusted names in the design and manufacture of miniature fluid control solutions

www.clippard.com

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.ebay.com/itm/363691018559?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11060.m43.l3160&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=37107b8cff854e108f6af6e6c2c003e0&bu=45009757537&osub=-1~1&crd=20220726114810&segname=11060

IFM Efector PN7009 Pressure Sensor, 18-36 VDC, PN-1-1BRBR14-QFRKG/US//V - NEW | eBay

Item is sold as pictured. NO VERBAL CONFIRMATION WILL BE GIVEN, THIS MUST BE IN WRITING.

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I will see how it all comes together but I hope to wind up with a silent, fully automated calcium reactor.

 

[RR-MAN]

Yes I know a couple of others who bought the oversized reactors - lots of issues. Had to send it back to be fixed took many months. And the big reactors are high $.

Good luck hopefully the mods make the reactor runs more consistent.

 

[decimal]

The write up looks pretty solid. I think the guy @Dennis Cartier is more than an average hobbyist and I presume, works in some kind of manufacturing automation capacity. He relies on parts that are industrial norms but you would not know about unless you had a specific reason to lol.

Here is a basic schematic



Anyways, it looks like it addresses all of the individual shortcomings and is a much more elegant solution. I will try to keep up this thread as I build.

 

[Ostentum]

Well this is one of the main reasons I went with dastaco. I liked Bills idea but he is terrible with customer service tells everyone they are stupid because they couldn’t figure out the one off seconds thing and then the kicker same price as the dastaco

 

[decimal]

Parts

 

[soymilk]

so basically we can just make our own auto calc rx with that schematic

 

[BigRick]

Bro you building this for Moody Gardens?

 

[decimal]

Lol.. now comes the fun part. My electric skill level is cable goes in here… magic box stuff… then a signal or power current comes out over here. Pretty neat.

 

[jrounding]

Lol.. now comes the fun part. My electric skill level is cable goes in here… magic box stuff… then a signal or power current comes out over here. Pretty neat.

It’s a shame that you spend so much money on something and it doesn’t work. At least it’s a fun project though, right?

 

[decimal]

Well, I will tell you how much fun it was when I’m done..

 

[decimal]

So this the power adapter. Normal power supple connection on one side, cable on the other.



IMF transducer for measuring pressure etc. needs. 1/4” G thread to 1/4” John guest fitting


The three way valve needs to be mounted. Masking take to the bottom of the part punch out the holes, remove and place tape wherever you want to make to the screw holes to mount the part.



The clippard valve.. I had to open it up so I could screw in the 1/4” jg fittings. As soon as I opened it, it’s fell and the 2 plates inside fell out. As a side note, don’t ever open it up as it voids the warranty and basically screws the valve. I’m going to try and use it but will probably have to replace


First wires lol. Connecting relay to terminal block…

 

[decimal]

A few more connection and wiring going on. still have to test and make sure it’s all wired right (which I’m pretty sure it’s not).

 

[decimal]

Part of the challenge is that there are several systems interacting with each other. First, you have the Co2 system. It follows a progression, needs to be pressure tight. Next you have the electrical automation system and finally you H2O system to feed, recirculate and produce effluent. So it’s really easy. Duh

 

[RR-MAN]

What worries me all those components in a salty environment

 

[decimal]

Its in a sealed weatherproof enclosure with waterproof cable glands. I guess the clippard and neptune valves are exposed but not a big deal. I was thinking of using an acrylic box with clear lid but i have to set everything up and get a feel for it all before i can lay out a compacted version.

 

[soymilk]

very cool. thanks for writing that up. I am super interested in making one

 

[decimal]

Here is a a pic of everything installed. Still have to test for leaks, functionality and organize the lines a little.

 

[decimal]

anyone have 1/8" OD tubing? i m goin gto have to buy 20' and i only need like 5"

 

[decimal]

Or anyone know where to buy by the foot local? I am also looking for some different colored RO tubing too. It would be cool to have a local source.

 

[R-BallJunkie]

you know the id/od you need? i have 2.5 and 3.5mm peristaltic tubing