Vertex Calcium Reactor - Owner's Club

[abcha0s]

I own the Vertex RX6-Duo Calcium Reactor and I am having trouble setting it up. I'd like to hear from anyone who owns a Vertex Calcium Reactor about any tips and tricks you have for making it work.

I am using "Rowalith C+ Calcium Reactor Media" - I suspect this may be part of my problem?

Specifically, the main pump seems to be way to powerful. This causes two problems:

1. The pumps sucks in any air that is trapped in the media chamber. This by itself isn't really a problem but it then gets trapped underneath the foam in the bottom section of the media chamber. When the air builds up, it comes to the surface in large bubbles which disrupt the media.

2. The media is getting blown around and sucked into the pump. This has obvious problems including a significant risk of damaging the pump.

The pump is also very loud, but I think this is because there is air trapped in it? - I figure once I resolve the air issue, the pump noise will settle down?

Am I using the wrong media? - I can't find the recommended Media type in the Vertex instructions?

I did find an alternate media - "Caribsea A.R.M. Coarse Calcium Reactor Media"
- The product description states "Ideal for rapid upflow type reactors".

Is the Vertex a rapid upflow type reactor? - It sure seems to be.

Are you guys running them in sump? - I had planned to run it outside of my sump, but the pump appears to be a submersible pump - just curious.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

- Brad

[Zoaelite]

Just ordered mine from J&L last night so I will certainly stayed tuned, I read this off of Marine Depot:

There is a connection between the reactor chamber and the CO2 chamber that houses the pump. If you fill the reactor chamber too full, media will flow into the chamber with the pump and two things can happen. One, it blocks the tube that joins the two chambers and second it can hurt the pump. When you first turn the unit on, the reactor media rises up a few inches so beware! I suggest only filling to the lower half of the decal they put on the chamber. It is easy to add more media later. And speaking of media, the CaribSea A.R.M. Aragonite Reactor Media works great in this unit

[RuGlu6]

- Use coarse media
- Do not overdose Co2, just enough to keep internal Ph below 7.0 but above Ph 6.4
If you have too many Co2 bubbles it will make noise and all of it will not dissolve. If your media is smaller particle size the it Will get disturbed if there is too much flow and may end up in the the circ pump intake.

[abcha0s]

My RX6-Duo is online and seems to be working, but it's not completely dialed in yet. I do have a couple of tricks to pass on.

Tips

I found it helpful to use John Guest Elbows to route the 1/4" Polyethylene Tubing.
.
I am driving the reactor with a Marineland Mini-Jet 404 Adjustable Flow Powerhead - Same category as Maxi Jet PHs. I attached a John Guest threaded fitting directly to the pump and it seems to have more than enough head pressure.
.
The fine media was a big mistake and it damaged my pump. It's still working, but I've ordered a replacement impeller assembly anyway.
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I am using ARM Coarse Media - More on this below...
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I am having a problem with excess Co2 buildup in the reactor (as described by RuGlu6). It seems to me that the RX6 pump is somewhat overpowered. I hope I can find the balance.
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The pump produces a lot of vibration and the reactor should be cushioned to reduce the noise. It's not the quietest pump, but the noise is tolerable and not as loud as my MP60s.
Questions

I'm running the reactor external to the sump. I'm pretty sure the pump is submersible. Running the reactor in the sump would likely quiet it down significantly. Is anyone doing this?
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I've set the target pH at 6.5 - I'm not sure what the optimal target would be?

http://owa.footit.ca/wwwimages/rx6/vertexrx6.jpg

BRS doesn't recommend running phosphate remover in the third chamber. Instead, they recommend running phosphate remove in a dedicated upflow reactor independant of the calcium reactor. This makes sense to me.

I am running the reactor with a slightly modified configuration. I have the chambers in the following sequence.


Main Chamber - ARM Coarse Media
Small secondary chamber - Brightwell Aquatics NeoMag Magnesium
Large secondary chamber - Rowalith C+ Calcium Reactor Media - Fine

ARM COARSE - "The Complete Reactor Media"

CarbiSea lists the following specifications for this media:

Calcium: 416,000 ppm
Carbonate: 577,000 ppm
Strontium: 3,300 ppm
Magnesium: 1,400 ppm
Potassium: 56 ppm
The product is described as a High Magnesium Aragonite Formula. It states "Now With 3 Times More Magnesium!"

The reason I mention the increased magnesium is because I wonder if I actually need to be running the BrightWell Magnesium as well? - Historically, it seems everyone recommended adding Magnesium to the reactor media, but that may have been based on the original ARM media. 1,400 ppm seems like a reasonable target to me.

I guess I will need to test the levels in my tank to determine if the additional magnesium is required, but if any one has any advice on this, please let me know.

Anyone else have any tricks?

[cale262]

Thanks for the tips. I have the 4 which I'm going to swap into my system this wkend, it's currently running in the sink with vinegar/rodi. My plan was to run it internally which is good as I've already found a couple leaks. The pump is very noisey, I was hoping it would quiet down as it breaks in, my IN-180 skimmer was the same way for the first few days. I'm not planning to use a pump to feed it, the calc reactor in my system now is running via syphon, so the plan is to use the same line already in place. I have a container of the coarse ARM and ZeoMag, Arm for the main and Mag for the secondary. I think I'm running my reactor with a target PH of 6.0, I'll have to confirm on my controller when I get home but it's working well now.

[Bblinks]

Hey guys, I am in the Vertex Club.:mrgreen: Bought it on the weekend after a month of research. Thanks to Brad for helping me make up my mind and picked the Vertex over Geo and Deltec. I will get some pictures up as soon as I get a chance.

[tankmates]

hey guys, I fired mine in today, using maxijet 1200, but water keeps poping out of the ph probe area? what am i doing wrong...

[abcha0s]

hey guys, I fired mine in today, using maxijet 1200, but water keeps poping out of the ph probe area? what am i doing wrong...

Welcome to the club!

Generally speaking, my Vertex reactor is fairly water tight. There is some minor salt creep at a couple of the John Guest connections, but nothing major and nothing that worries me.

My guess is that you are missing the round rubber band (washer/o-ring/thingy) that fits around your pH probe? Without this band, the probe holder would not work.

If you are not missing the band, but it is still leaking, try fitting the original plug back in and see if the problem persists. If it leaks with the original plug in place, then something isn't right. Check the threads to make sure they aren't stripped or damaged.

Please let us know how you make out and post any tips you discover.

- Brad

[tankmates]

I did not get any ring with my PH probe and I believe that is what I am missing here, any idea what will fit in? Also, I don have the original plug..but i do feel the ring is what it is

[abcha0s]

I did not get any ring with my PH probe and I believe that is what I am missing here, any idea what will fit in? Also, I don have the original plug..but i do feel the ring is what it is

So, here's the bad news. The ring seal that you are looking for comes fitted onto the plug that comes with the unit. If you can't find the plug, that might explain why you can't find the ring. I expect they are in the same place.

You might be able to DIY a new ring. Of course it would help to know what the original ring looks like. If anyone can snap a photo of this before bringing their reactor online, please post it..

If you would like, I can see if we could special order the part for you. You will end up paying way too much for a $0.99 part, but at least your reactor will work. Before we go there, let's see whether anyone can post a picture of the ring seal that you are looking for.

- Brad

[Bblinks]

I did not get any ring with my PH probe and I believe that is what I am missing here, any idea what will fit in? Also, I don have the original plug..but i do feel the ring is what it is

The oring that came with the unit is silicone based, but I think you can use a regular oring used in the automotive trade for the time being. If I were you I would get a replacement one from where ever you bought the reactor from. You don't want to be worried about a 2 dollar part that may or may not cause you a leak when you couldve replaced with the original piece if you could've waited. I am sure your lfs would just give you the oring they have in stock and replace it when there order comes in. I know the boys at my lfs would.

[Bblinks]

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/bblinks/605e4b92.jpg


http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/bblinks/55bea8bc.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/bblinks/c787c982.jpg

Here is my set up. I know the stand is pretty ugly looking, but its rock solid. I also modded the recirculation tube that goes from the top of the main chamber to pump intake tube with a tee and a valve so I can release the excess co2 build-up without making a mess and get rid of the annoying pump drawing too much air or co2 noise. Well, the reactor is in the garage so it really doesn't matter if it was a bit loud. I am lucky that there is a drain right below my reactor and the chiller, so even if I make a mess or if there is any leakage, it would go right into the drain.
So far I love the reactor, easily setup with no leaks at all. My ph in the chamber is around 6.5-6.6 which is controlled by my apex. effluent is a steady drip with no breaks. I have monitored my ph in the display tank and it has been solid, minor swing from 8.05-8.20 during a 24 hour period. My tank is a pig when it comes to cal/alk intake, so hopefully it will be able to keep up.

[Bblinks]

Hey guy, I ran into some issues with my co2. After a week and a half I am already out of co2. what gives? I checked for leaks but came up empty. ph has been steady 6.5 in the reactor. Does anyone have any ideas or can some one tell me how long a 10lb bottle should last?

Thanks Rich

[cale262]

My last 5lb lasted me a little more than a 6 months and I was using it on a planted tank for 6 months before that...

[Bblinks]

Thanks for the reply, I'll check for leaks again.

[abcha0s]

I also think the tank should last for much longer. Is it possible the tank wasn't filled properly?

If there is a leak, it would have to be before (or at) the bubble counter.

- Brad

[Bblinks]

I got some special stuff from work that checks tire leaks. I will try it when I get home with a full tank. I am hoping for a leak, but if I can find it then I might have some serious issues.

[apexifd]

did you use silicone hose for the co2 line?

my half filled 5 lbs last about 3 month+, might be longer but I was going to go on holiday, and I don't think the wife will be nice enough to fill up the co2 tank while I was gone. So, better make sure I have a full bottle before I left.

although I only have 1/3 of water volume, therefore less demand.

btw, R6 rules

[Bblinks]

I found the leak...there is a pin hole in the vinyl tubing where it meets the silicone hose. I guess I must of missed it when I checked it the first time.:redface: All problems solved. Thanks guys for your input.

btw r6 is a good beginer's bike.:mrgreen:

did you use silicone hose for the co2 line?

my half filled 5 lbs last about 3 month+, might be longer but I was going to go on holiday, and I don't think the wife will be nice enough to fill up the co2 tank while I was gone. So, better make sure I have a full bottle before I left.

although I only have 1/3 of water volume, therefore less demand.

btw, R6 rules

[apexifd]

9 months of running my rx4 the recirculating pump crap out. It probably happened a little while back, however I only notice it today when I decide to take clean it up a bit and refill the media.

any one know how long is the warranty on the pump and how soon JL can get me a replacement pump?

thanks

[Bblinks]

I believe it's one year. Jl should have the pump in stock. I talked to Jeff about the quality of the pump, he mentioned that they are not the greatest but how ever they are inexpensive. Let me know how it goes.

[apexifd]

upon closer inspection. pump appears to be shorted and burnt.

hopefully that's still under warranty.

[Bblinks]

Shitty deal buddy. I am sure the boys at Jl will take care of it for you.:sad:

[apexifd]

Jeff took a picture right the way and send to out to Vertex. He's now waiting for Vertex's reply on the warranty replacement.

Hoping Vertex will approve the replacement.

[Bblinks]

Jeff took a picture right the way and send to out to Vertex. He's now waiting for Vertex's reply on the warranty replacement.

Hoping Vertex will approve the replacement.

How did the warranty turned out with your pump?

[apexifd]

How did the warranty turned out with your pump?

went quite well.. I got a replacement pump in the next work day. It definitely helps when the supplier is local.

I have to say thank to the guys in JL for the quick turn around.

[apexifd]

Does anyone of you has problem where the output line gets clog up from time to time??

[Bblinks]

I don't, it has been running for about 4 month, I use a 100gph pump as a feed pump though.

[apexifd]

I have it tee off the return. when it clog up I have to open up the needle valve and let some air out, then it will start dripping again.

it gets rather annoying sometime.

[Bblinks]

Mine gets air bubbles but it usually work itself out. My parameters are rock solid but knock on wood. Btw do you still need 3/4 in PVC? I have some you can have it for free. Lmk.

[cale262]

I've been using a gravity feed line from the display on my RX-4, more than six months now I think and no clogging issues. I do run mine wide open though and controlled via APEX.

[apexifd]

Mine gets air bubbles but it usually work itself out. My parameters are rock solid but knock on wood. Btw do you still need 3/4 in PVC? I have some you can have it for free. Lmk.

gonna wait another day and see if any of the richmond reefer has extra... Gas is expensive these days... Less gas I used, more live stock for the tank.

will let you know if I head out to JL this weekend.

[Kelvin]

I bought a calcium reactor a rx6 with 3 chambers I hooked the hosing
Up the way the manual said but when I look on line it's done different
Can some one take pics and send to me were your tubing goes the right
Way thanks

[apexifd]

I bought a calcium reactor a rx6 with 3 chambers I hooked the hosing
Up the way the manual said but when I look on line it's done different
Can some one take pics and send to me were your tubing goes the right
Way thanks

I will say... go with the manual..