AquaCare 310-001us User manual

B-KALK4us.DOC, Seite 1, Aug. 11
Systeme für Aquakultur,
Aquaristik, Labore und
zur Wasseraufbereitung
Systems for aqua culture,
sea water aquaria, labs and
water desalination and purification
Système pour l’Aquaculture,
l’Aquariophilie, le Laboratoire et
le Traitement de l’Eau
AquaCare GmbH & Co. KG
Am Wiesenbusch 11
D-45966 Gladbeck
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.aquacare.de
e-mail: [e-mail]
Turbo Reactor size 1-3
Instruction Manual
A Water inlet
B Water outlet
C Air outlet
D Air inlet
E Water drain
F CO2 inlet
G ¾” unions
(connection for CO2sensor)
1 CO2tube
2 Calcite tube
3 Neutralisation tube
4 Sediment tube
5 Water inlet valve
6 Inspection glass
7 Muffle
8 Circulation pump
9 Sensor connector
10 Maximum filling mark
11 Blue filter
12 Air stone
13 Ball valve
14
15
AquaCare
R
A
BC
4
65
13
D
11
2
10 3
G
7
12
8
E
F
91

B-KALK4us.DOC, Seite 2, Aug. 11
Instruction manual of AquaCare
Turbo Chalk Reactor – Ca-Reactor
Principe of the Turbo Chalk Reactors
In the CO2tube (1) CO2is dosed to lower the pH of the water
(about 5,2 to 5,5). The circulation pump (8) pumps the water into
the next tube - the calcite tube (2). In this compartment the calcite
material is dissolved. The calcite is split into calcium and hydrogen
carbonate (alkalinity). The enriched water flows back to the CO2
tube (1)- the cycle is closed.
The same volume of incoming water flows out of the system - you
can see in inflow in the small transparent tube (6) above the CO2
tube. The volume is controlled with the small ball valve (5). The
outflow reaches the neutralizing tube (3). In this compartment air
strips out the CO2(about 80%) with the help of an air stone (12).
The neutralized water flows to the sediment tube (4). Most of the
very fine sediment, caused by friction in the calcite tube, sinks
down on the bottom of the sediment tube. In this tube small amounts
of phosphate adsorbs (chemo sorption) at the sediments.
Mounting the unit
Best place for the reactor:
The Turbo Chalk Reactor must be mounted vertically to guarantee
the function. Please use the screws (in the plastic bag) to fix the re-
actor at a wall (stone or wood). If you have another wall please use
special plugs.
The AquaCare Turbo Chalk Reactor should be mounted in the near
of the aquarium or filter tank. The water outlet hose must be fixed in
a slope – the hose never should go uphill to the tank. Therefore the
sediment tube must be higher than the aquarium or filter tank. You
may mount the sediment tube away from the reactor for assemble
the tube to the aquarium downhill. But please consider, that you
need a stronger air pump for the neutralizing tube (each meter you
need 100 mbar more pressure). Additionally you must take a longer
hose from the neutralizing tube to the sediment tube.
Additionally you need an electrical connection in the near (within 2
meters). The best place is a dark place. If the reactor is in the sun
you have to cover a black foil around the transparent tubes to pre-
vent algae growth.
Connection of the hoses (see Fig. II):
For mounting the hoses cut them with a sharp knife. For the push fit
fittings only use the black AquaCare PE hose/tube. Otherwise use
the connectors to other hoses (PVC or silicone).
The pressure hose is pushed into the push fit fitting until it cannot
be pushed further. The tube should be gently pulled to ensure that
the connection is sound. The connection can be released by pushing
back the collet and pulling the tube out.
Water Outlet: (see Fig. I)
The water outlet (B) of the reactor will be made with the 10mm
hose. Please take care to assemble the hose downhill from reactor to
tank/aquarium. If not the water will flow out off the reactor (C). The
hose must end over the water level! To prevent turbid water in the
aquarium caused by very fine sediments you can direct the water to
a sediment filter filled with fine material, e.g. filter floss. You may
assemble the air outlet (C) parallel to the water outlet hose – if the
water outlet hose is blocked the water will flow through the air
hose. The air hose should never be under the water level! Otherwise
the CO2in the air will lower the pH of the aquarium water and bub-
bling sound will occur.
Water Inlet: (see Fig. III)
You can realize the water inlet (A) with an extra circulation pump
or with a bypass from the main circulation pump that pumps the wa-
ter from the filter tank to the aquarium. The pump must have
enough pressure; the water flow does not matter. The best solution
is a bypass: you do not need an extra pump and the water from a
bypass contains less sediments that are able to block the water inlet
valve. A water pass meter (option) is a very easy way to regulate the
right water inflow. The water inlet (A) of the AquaCare Turbo
Chalk reactor is at the top of the CO2tube (1). You can see the in-
flowing water at the inspection glass (6). Turbo Chalk reactors with
built in water pass meters must be supplied at the bottom of the pass
meter. If you do not use the original AquaCare PE hoses you can
use the hose adapter (packed in the plastic bag). If you have ques-
tions or problems with the connections please ask AquaCare.
CO2supply: (see Fig. IV)
For operation the Turbo Chalk reactor needs a CO2supply, too.
Please use CO2pressure tanks – other systems with pressures below
0,5 bar (7 PSI) will not work properly. Please read the instruction
manual for the pressure tank and pressure relief valve care-
fully! The pressure of the pressure relief valve should be between
0,5 and 2 bar (7 and 30 PSI). Never raise the pressure above 5 bar
(45 PSI)! Never work without a GOOD check valve (check valves
for air are not suitable!). Back flowing water will destroy solenoids
and pressure relief valves. Please assemble the CO2hose with a se-
curity loop with minimum 1 meter.
Air supply for neutralizing tube:
The air inlet (D) is at the top of the neutralizing tube (3). Assemble
the air hose with a security loop of minimum 1 meter, too. Check
valves normally reduce the air pressure drastically and they will not
work 100%ly. Back flowing water will destroy the air pump. If the
pH of the out coming water is below 7,0 the air pump is to weak! In
that case use a stronger air pump.
Electrical connection:
For operating the Turbo Chalk reactor you need an electrical supply
and a simply timer. Please control the voltage of the electrical com-
ponents (pump, Chalk reactor control) with the voltage of the sup-
ply! Connect the Turbo Chalk reactor pump and the Turbo Chalk
rector control unit to the timer. Air inlet and water inlet should run
all the time.
For optimal efficiency please program the timer with a short brake
after two hours. In the break time all foreign gases like oxygen and
nitrogen will go out off the reactor.
The probe connector (9) is for installing a pH sensor. It will meas-
ure the pH of the internal water. The pH should be about 5.0 to 5.5.
Putting into operation
Please read this part carefully to prevent work and failures. In-
correct use of the reactor may destroy the circulation pump.
1. Be sure that all inlets and outlets are connected (incoming water,
out coming water, air and CO2)
2. Start the water inlet pump, open the water inlet ball valve (5) and
fill the reactor completely with water. Put the Turbo Chalk Reactor
circulation pump (8) into operation for a short time to bring out the
air off the pump. This step is important to minimize the work.
Only if all air is out of the pump it can produce the pressure for the
calcite bed. Maybe you have to wait for half a minute and start the
pump again. If all air is out off the system, stop the pumps and drain
the reactor half.
3. Open the calcite tube (2). Unscrew the cap of the calcite tube and
take out the filter sponge (11).
4. Fill up the calcite tube to the maximum filling mark (upper edge
of the label). Do not use more or another material. Otherwise the
system does not work correctly. Close the calcite tube - don’t forget
the filter sponge (11)! Please use AquaCare Turbo Granules – it is
the most effective material. With others the efficiency will fall
down.
5. Open the water inlet ball valve (start the incoming pump) and fill
the reactor with water completely.
6. If water reaches the sediment tube (4) put the circulation pump
(8) in operation. The ball valve (13) at the CO2tube should be open.
7. Reduce the ball valve at the CO2tube that only the very small
Turbo Granules will be in motion. Heavy movements of the Gran-
ules will cause turbidity in the aquarium.

B-KALK4us.DOC, Seite 3, Aug. 11
8. Now start the air supply. For the right volume, see technical data.
Every time you must see bubbles in the sediment tube (4).
9. Reduce the incoming water (5) to the optimum. For the right vol-
ume, see technical data.
10. Start the CO2supply carefully. If the Turbo Control is mounted
the solenoid will start after some seconds. Open the needle valve at
the pressure relief valve carefully. You see the incoming bubbles at
the bottom of the CO2tube. The needed bubbles per time depends
on the water inlet flow, the pH in the reactor and if the Turbo con-
trol is mounted.
The right volumes for incoming water, air and CO2
Water Inlet:
The power of the Turbo Chalk Reactor should be controlled by
the daily operation time. Do not reduce the incoming water!
Otherwise the circulation pump will be damaged. The pump for
the incoming water should be in operation 24 hours per day. (If you
stop the circulation pump the reactor would not be de-aerated within
the brakes.)
The optimum incoming water of the AquaCare Turbo Chalk Reac-
tors in liters per hour:
Size 1 Size 2 Size 3
4-5 l/h
1-1.3 US gal/h
8-10 l/h
2.1-2.6 US gal/h
20-25 l/h
5.3-6.6 US gal/h
Please take this optimum volumes. If the water in the reactor be-
comes yellow and very turbid, the incoming water must be raised.
Otherwise the circulation pump get a damage. For raising the in-
coming water please open the ball valve (5) in the inlet. If the ball
valve is totally open, please take a larger incoming pump. Optional
you can use volume meters (size 2-5).
The air supply for the neutralizing tube:
The more air comes into the neutralizing tube the higher the pH of
the out coming water (maximum pH 7,3). The air supply should be
in action all the time. The proper function of the air pump should be
controlled in the sediment tube- every time you must see bubbles in
the sediment tube.
If the pH of the out coming water (not the internal water at the
probe connector) is higher than 7,3 you have to reduce the air input.
If the pH is below 7,0 you must force the air input (use a stronger
pump).
The right CO2volume WITHOUT Turbo Control:
Please regulated the CO2volume that after the operation time of the
reactor any CO2will be sucked by the circulation pump. But after
the operation time a big CO2bubble should be in the CO2tube. If
too less CO2is in the reactor, the system will not work properly. At-
tention! At the beginning the reactor needs much CO2– at the end
of an operation period the system needs less CO2.
The right CO2volume WITH Turbo Control:
If a control is mounted you need more CO2volume. If you start the
reactor and the control (timer ON) the solenoid will start after some
seconds. Please raise the CO2 volume per time that the control will
shut off the CO2input after 1-2 minutes after the start. If the Turbo
Chalk Reactor needs more CO2the solenoid will start again
automatically.
Sometime it is possible to reduce the ball valve (13) at the CO2tube
if the water in the CO2tube contains many very small bubbles
(foam). If these fine bubble occur the control will not work prop-
erly.
The power of the Turbo Chalk Reactor:
Important!!! The power of the Turbo Chalk Reactors should be
controlled with the operation time. Do not lower or raise the wa-
ter inlet! Maximum power is reached with two hours operation - 15
minutes pause - two hours operation.... For a normal reef aquarium
you need 2 - 6 hours operation time per day. If the aquarium con-
tains very many living hard corals the operation time can raise up to
20 hours. For the first two months control the carbonate hardness
(alkalinity) every week. The optimum is between 8 and 12°dH
(German hardness) or 2.8 to 4.3 mval. The reactor may produce a
light turbidity in the aquarium. It is pure calcium carbonate and it is
not dangerous. To prevent the turbidity, take some very fine filter
material at the outlet of the water.
To control the daily operation time please use a simple timer. With
this timer control the circulation pump and the CO2supply. Air
supply and incoming water should operate 24 hours a day.
Please start with a low operation time (2 hours per day). The
power of the AquaCare Turbo Chalk Reactor is very high com-
pared to other systems!
Carbonate hardness should not be below 5°dH (alkalinity 1.8), the
calcium concentration not below 400 mg/l (ppm). KH above 15°dH
(alkalinity 5.3) and calcium above 500 mg/l (ppm) can cause nega-
tive effects in the reef aquarium. If only one parameter is to low,
raise it with other compounds, e.g. AquaCare Care System „KH-
plus“ or Super Buffer, „Calcium-plus“ or calcium hydroxide solu-
tion „Kalkwasser“. Ensure that the magnesium concentration is op-
timal.
The maximum carbonate hardness and calcium concentration de-
pends on the pH of the aquarium water. Normally you can reach
10°dH and 400 mg/l calcium. The average pH of the aquarium
would raise a little bit after some days operation of the reactor. If
the pH of the aquarium is too high reduce the air volume of the neu-
tralizing tube.
Maintenance
To have an optimum system you must do some maintenance work.
Otherwise the power is not high or some parts may damage.
Daily control of CO2(measure the incoming water or use a volume
meter)
Daily de-aeration of the reactor: for de-aerating the reactor you
have to stop the circulation pump once a day (or use a simple timer)
- without stopping the incoming water. After 2-15 minutes all gases
are out of the reactor.
Weekly to monthly: fill up the calcite tube with Turbo Granules.
Stop the circulation pump and the CO2supply. Open the calcite tube
(2), take off the blue filter sponge (11), wash it out and fill up the
calcite tube. The material dissolves totally with the time - you only
fill new material to the old.
If the sediment tube is full: stop the system, disassemble the tubes
from the sediment tube (B, C), take the tube from the mounting
plate, open the tube at the cap and clean it. Assemble the system af-
ter cleaning.
Every year: clean the neutralizing tube, change the air stone (12)
and clean the CO2sensor.
Some tips
Take some vaseline for the threads of the tubes. It is more easier to
open them.
Take some vaseline for all O-rings to have gas tight connections.
Reduce the power of the reactor if carbonate hardness is more than
15°dH (5.3 mval) or calcium more than 500 mg/l (ppm). You can
save electrical power, CO2and spare parts.
The reactor should start minimum once a day. Otherwise the cal-
cite material can block.
Turbidity in the aquarium water can stop after using a fine filter
material in the outlet of the reactor or by reducing the circulation
water flow (valve 13).
You can save CO2if you stop the CO2supply ½ to 1 hour before
stopping the circulation pump (you need a second timer).
If the air supply would be not in order the out coming water of the
reactor is too low (5.2-5.5). To prevent damage in the aquarium use
a pH control. If the pH in aquarium is below e.g. 7.9 the AquaCare
reactor should stop totally.
Warranty
You have 24 months warranty on all AquaCare units excepts spare
parts like air stones, pump parts and granules. You have no war-
ranty if parts are broken by violent (for example totally closed water
inlet). If you send a warranty unit to AquaCare please send the
dated receipt, too.

Seite 4, B-KALK4us.DOC, Aug. 11
Technical data
Size 1 2 3
Order number 310-001us 310-002us 310-003us
Max. aquarium volume in litres 500 1000 2500
Max. aquarium volume in US gallons 130 250 650
Sizes (W×H×D) in mm 305 × 470 × 130 305 × 570 × 130 400 × 570 × 170
volume granules in ccm 240 420 930
maximum / average power 3h/d opera-
tion time per day in litres * hardness
2.000 /
250
4.000 /
500
10.000 /
1.250
typical daily operation time 1-6 hours (best operation in the evening)
pH value outlet 7.0 7.3 7.3
build in pump EHEIM 1048 EHEIM 1048 EHEIM 1250
electrical power of pump in watts 10 10 28
EHEIM order number of spare rotor
do not use another one!!! 76 45 980 76 45 980 76 40 910
connection inlet / outlet 6 mm / 10 mm
water inlet volume in l/h (US gal/h) 4 – 5 at 1 m
1 – 1.3 at 1 yard
2 – 10 at 1 m
2.1 – 2.6 at 1 yard
5 – 25 at 1,5 m
5.3 – 6.6 at 1.5 yard
volume meter (optional) - 3-24 l/h 5-50 l/h
air volume in l/ 200 at 100 mbar 300 at 100 mbar 400 at 200 mbar
CO2supply CO2pressure tank, pressure release valve and needle valve;
0.5 to 5.0 bar
CO2-control for
Turbo Chalk Reactor (optional)
order number: 312-001
control box 7 watts with 120 volt AC solenoid valve
incl. Fittings, check valve;
CO2-sensor with 3/4“ connection and mounting material
www.aquacare.de