constant drip rate with Ca reactor?
 

I've been gravity feeding my Ca reactor and I find that I have to adjust the drip rate every two or three days. Is there a better method? I hear that some people use pumps. Any suggestions and how much would a workable pump cost?

You could feed it through your main pump.
it will pressurize the reactor and the valve will be adjusted accordingly.
mine been running that way for a year.

I settled on using a small powerhead to feed the reactor from the sump and then a dripline valve on the exit side of the reactor to adjust the effluent rate. Wasn't perfect: it would tend to vary a tiny bit, some days a little higher, some days a little lower. The overall average flowrate was the basic key. If I ever did a calcium reactor again (but I wouldn't, but if I did) I would use a peristaltic pump or a metering pump set at the desired flowrate.

started off just by tapping off my main pump to feed mine.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/das75/feed.jpg

Nice pic. So I guess I would just drill a little hole in the PVC on the return pipe.

drill, tap and a little teflon tape...

yes...dosing pumps and 2 part.

seriously though I got tired or adjusting my old ca reactor and went 2 part. I feel its much more controlled and calculated system.

Mine's fed from my return line the same way Mark is describing. I've got it dialed in so that now I only adjust it about once a month and service the reactor once every three months. I've done the required reading for 2 part but to me it still sounds like a lot more work compared to a Ca reactor if you can figure it out.

CA reactors are PITA to get working properly. I've tried every possible way without good results until I implemented a peristaltic pump. The feed to the reactor was gravity fed and the output was attached to a peristaltic pump. I formulated the amount of drops the tank required and got a non adjustable pump to match that (think it was 50ml/minute). Of course a variable speed pump (adjustable) would have been better, but thought it was too pricey at the time. With a CA reator you do need to run a ph controller to properly adjust the ph, otherwise it's a guessing game and the results become sporatic. After getting a consistant result for a year, the pump started getting noisy, too much ware on the motor 24/7. This is when I switched to 3 part dosing with a high end dosing pump. This setup was highly controllable, accurate, easy to use, and a nice piece of mind. Next to the RO/DI filters, this is the best investment for any reef requiring contant dosing. Scrap the CA reactor and join the new era of reefing, you'll see what I mean.

I've been running my calcium reactor for the past 1 1/2 years with little trouble. I have a full blown sps tank and I just let the controller control the ph in the reactor. I run the effluent at almost a full stream. The feed is a T of of my return pump. I've had no trouble and it's pretty maintenance free. About once every 4 months or so I fill it with new media. My reactor is a screw top so it's quite easy to do. I haven't tested any of my parameters in over 6 months, but my corals are definitely happy and growing. Once you get a calcium reactor dialed in, it's really no pain. I've filled my C02 twice now in a year and a half. I have a 10lb bottle. Hope this helps.