Some advice on CA setup...

[Paradox009]

So I just built a CA reactor (not completely my design) and acquired most of the parts needed. I understand the general concept behind it, but have never owned one. All the parts Ive gotten are used such as the regulator, co2 tank, and ph controller. So ive no manuals to look at. I have a few questions before I hook this up and crash my tank

All the parts to make the reactor and a used 10lb tank, milwaukee ph controller, and M3 regulator cost me about 320 dollars.

Main tank is 150 with about 175 gallons aprox total water volume. I currently add kalk through top off and PH ranges from 8.3 to 8.5 resting most of the time at 8.4





Questions:

-What does the knob labeled number 1 on the regulator do? Im guessing it is for fine adjustments for co2 output, but I see no noticeable difference when adjusting it. Ive been using knob number 2 to control the co2 output.

-How much pressure does a typical full co2 tank usually read. I assume this is measured on the gauge on the left.

-What is a good range for the PH in the reactor? After test running this on a 5 gallon bucket of salt water with about 10 bubbles a minute, the ph is around 6.8

-Whats the best method to slowly dial this thing once attached to the main tank?


Thanks in advance!

[seminolecpa]

I am probably not the best one to answer these but pretty sure 2 is for fine tuning and 1 is for the more drastic changes.

Do you have a spot for an in chamber ph probe? It looks like there may be a spot for it.

I start off with a very slow drip and about a 3-5 second bubble count. Test my water after 12-24 hours and dial up the effluent if necessary until I reach the desired level.

You will probably see a drop in your PH levels once you start using the reactor.

[ianiwane]

1 controls your working pressure (the right gage). It looks like the membrane is blown on the right gage so it won't work properly (needle should start at zero). Typically working pressure should be in the 20s. Since your right gage will not read properly you will just have to estimate it. If the working pressure is too low the bubble count will not be consistent.
2 is the needle valve, like seminolecpa said it controls fine tuning.

[Paradox009]

Thanks for the feedback....

seminolecpa-I put a probe holder in the reactor allowing the probe to measure the effluent ph. I will need to get a 2nd PH monitor for my main tank now.

Ianiwane-the picture was taken with the co2 tank, regulator and ca reactor on. Once I turn the knob to open the tank, the needle shoots to that maximum point. I believe when the tank is closed, the needle would be at around 40. Is this still an indication that this is broken? If so, is this repairable? What should I notice when adjusting the working pressure? What does this actually do?

[ianiwane]

The working pressure gage should read zero with the main valve closed. Try turning the gage so it reads about 65 since it is reading at 40 with no pressure (it will probably give you the 25 working pressure that you want). The working pressure just controls the pressure of the co2 comming out of the regulator. Too low = inconsistant bubble rate, too high = less fine control with the needle valve.

[Paradox009]

Thanks, this has been helpful. I had to unscrew the knob completely off and fiddle with the internal a bit. I was unable to get it to reset to 0, but the valve now shows movement on the needle when adjusted. I have set it to 65 as ou have suggested.

I will wait until I have a 2nd PH monitor and a bubble counter to connect it the main tank. Hopefully I wont have any more questions then.

Thanks a lot!