Korallin CA reactor question

[Mish]

OK, I've had many troubles, and many helpful susgestions, so hear's another questions,

My reactor runs great keeps up with everything as it should, but after about a week, the backflow preventer gets stuck, and I have to take every thing appart and start over. There seems to be a lot of pressure in the bubble counter on the reactor, so much so, that when I disconnect the hose from the top of the counter I get a gieser of water. I should also mention that the bubble counter stays filled with water.

So my questions are:

Should the bubble counter be filled with water?

Should there be that much pressure that the water will shoot out the top when the reactor is off?

Is everyone else cleaning this backflow valve every week?!

Thanks in advance.

[jmcmahon66]

I have had my share of problems with my Korallin reactor. There is a HUGE thread on operation of it by jdieck. If you can search, it is extremely helpful. I'll answer your questions as best I can:

The bubble counter should be filled with water. It is a part of the system unlike Knop bubble counters and is always full.

If you have it hooked up to a pump for a feed line, it is possible that you are providing too much flow and pressure that makes it difficult for the CO2 gas to feed at a normal rate. Cut down the pressure to of the pump, or buy a small pump to feed it. They are cheap like $14 at Premium Aquatics.

I got so much water in my backflow valve that I actually removed it. I just make sure I do not run out of CO2. The valve would get water in it, and stop working. It is not the best system in my opinion. I do not advocate removing it such as I did. There is a possibility of water reaching my solenoid and entering the CO2 tank. I will probably replace that valve in the future. HTH

[prance1520]

The pressure is good for the reactor because it helps reuse and reduce wasted CO2. I struggled with your same problem for a long time. Now, I've got the outlet from the recirc pump completely closed, the outlet on the top of the reactor completely open, and I'm feeding with an aqualifter. I have no problems keeping constant pressure, but I'm sure I waste a little more CO2 than its designed for.

[Mish]

OK, so I'm not as stupid I I thought, other people have had the same problem. Good to know.

I am feeding the reactor via a T off the return, I guess this could be supplying too much flow/pressure?

I've run out of outlets, so using a feed pump creates new problems.

Any other suggestions?

[jarhed]

You can put a simple valve on the t-feed and solve that problem in no time.