Vertex Calcium Reactor Loud?

Derrick Picker · May 30, 2019

Hey all. I have a Vertex RX-C 6D. Whenever some air gets in there the pump surges and is loud as heck.

Anyone have this and know of a fix?

jda · May 31, 2019

I have no experience with this particular reactor, but many others. Is the intake on the top? If so, then extend a tube down 1" so that excess air gets trapped in the top and water is pulled down lower and you can tune the reactor better - a well-tuned reactor should never have so much co2 that it needs to be trapped in the top.

If you are getting air into the reactor some other way, like a pump in a sump where the water level go too low, then that is a different discussion that is as simple as stopping this from happening.

CivicS14 · May 31, 2019

I have this same model. I ran it wide open for a few hours after initial setup to get out the bubbles. This was back in August last year, since then no sound.

Derrick Picker · May 31, 2019

When you say you run it wide open are we meaning that you turn off the recirculating pump and run the feed straight through?

This happens almost every time I add media, move the unit, and or turn off the pump.

Eder · Jun 1, 2019

I did this a couple years back and it works perfectly fine and almost dead silent with an occasional surge.

rlman41299 · Jun 1, 2019

Switch 2 lines on top of the reactor. The circulating line and the effluent line. Your reactor will be silent in a few hours

Derrick Picker · Jun 1, 2019

Yes I have tried that however then it does not seem to work properly for me. The flow doesn't work for me. I did this method and then switched it back and it got rid of the air in the lines though.

rlman41299 · Jun 1, 2019

Derrick Picker said:
Yes I have tried that however then it does not seem to work properly for me. The flow doesn't work for me. I did this method and then switched it back and it got rid of the air in the lines though.

Give it time. Mine worked perfectly after a day. As you switch them, it will try and purge all the air out of the reactor and the flow will be intermittent 'till all excess air are all purged out. Once you switch it back you are introducing excess air in the system again.

DarthSimon · Jun 1, 2019

Yes, I you get air trapped in the red media balls, it can be noisy. It goes away after 12-24 hours. My unit is in basement, so doesn't bother me.

Derrick Picker · Jun 1, 2019

I found that switching the tubes is great to eliminate the noise. After I do that I switch it back and noise is gone as well though.

I did leave it alone for a little while and there was a ton of air in the system. I was worried it would not flow properly after that. How long does it take to go back to consistent flow with the tubes switched?

rlman41299 · Jun 1, 2019

Mine went away in a few hours. Also I turned of my Co2 while I purged it and ran my peristaltic pump at max.

David Cher · Jan 1, 2020

any other fixes ?

David Cher · Jan 1, 2020

@rlman41299 does it mean i need to remove all the balls to remove the air trapped in the tube ?

DarthSimon · Jan 1, 2020

David,
I’m honestly not sure, but the noise, trapped air does go away. Is yours not?

David Cher · Jan 1, 2020

i just started using the reactor and i can say it is pretty loud . @DarthSimon does it mean by using the manufacturer recommended way to hook the tube after some time it will go away ?