Calcium reactor effluent control?

[purplereef]

Hello folks,
I am having trouble trying to control my Geo calcium reactor's effluent drip rate. I have cleaned the mini ball valve many times but the drip rate will still slow down. I am just wondering if anybody runs there effluent wide open? How do you control your drip rate? Thanks, Dan.

[BigBadBlenny]

ball valves are not very good for metering flow. you want a good Micro-adjustable needle valve.

[bhdmc]

I modify my K2R calclium reactor with a Hayward 3/8'" needle valve to control the effuent.

[purplereef]

Hey BigBadBlenny, what Micro-needle valve do you suggest? I have never heard of using a needle valve on the effluent discharge. I have a needle valve on my CO2 tank.
dhbmc, I am not sure what section of pipe you are referring to.

[BigBadBlenny]

this sort of thing

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/var...ant%5Fid=22326

just remove the ball valve and switch it for one of these.

[purplereef]

Thank you very much BigBad. Did this give you more consistent numbers out of your reactor?

[bhdmc]

Originally posted by purplereef
Hey BigBadBlenny, what Micro-needle valve do you suggest? I have never heard of using a needle valve on the effluent discharge. I have a needle valve on my CO2 tank.
dhbmc, I am not sure what section of pipe you are referring to.

The black valve on the left side of the photo. It has the round knob on top.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct%5Fid=15634

[BigBadBlenny]

you will notice a difference. they are much easier to control.