$200, my day off, and my new diy calcium reactor!
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
TroyPierce
New member
No kidding
No kidding
As the effluent comes out of the first/primary chamber the ph is pretty low (6.8 - 7.2). The second chamber allows the natural buffering action of the media to raise the ph and in the meantime, it disolves more Calcium.
In the primary reactor, CO2 is constantly being added to lower the ph, make it more acid, but in the second chamber, the acidic effluent disolves the media, just like in the primary reactor but since no new CO2 comes in, the ph rises on it's way to the sump.
My unit is working fine. I had a bad Milwaukee regulator and had to replace it. I bought a JBJ unit and so far so good.
No kidding
As the effluent comes out of the first/primary chamber the ph is pretty low (6.8 - 7.2). The second chamber allows the natural buffering action of the media to raise the ph and in the meantime, it disolves more Calcium.
In the primary reactor, CO2 is constantly being added to lower the ph, make it more acid, but in the second chamber, the acidic effluent disolves the media, just like in the primary reactor but since no new CO2 comes in, the ph rises on it's way to the sump.
My unit is working fine. I had a bad Milwaukee regulator and had to replace it. I bought a JBJ unit and so far so good.
Jagermeister
Premium Member
It's a serious answer.
Inside the main chamber you need to lower the pH enough to dissolve the calcium media. The effluent leaving the main chamber has a low pH which can disrupt the pH of the tank its being discharged to. People add a second chamber full of media that helps to raise the pH of the effluent before it enters the main tank. While raising the pH more calcium and alkalinity are dissolved.
Inside the main chamber you need to lower the pH enough to dissolve the calcium media. The effluent leaving the main chamber has a low pH which can disrupt the pH of the tank its being discharged to. People add a second chamber full of media that helps to raise the pH of the effluent before it enters the main tank. While raising the pH more calcium and alkalinity are dissolved.
B.friend
B.Friend
I Picked mine up yesterday and most of the plumbing today. Has anyone setup the CO2 so it is recirculated through the main chamber.
With a T from the water going to the tank back into the intake at the bottom of the chamber excese CO2 is Pulled Back into the chamber and reused. Just my thoughts as I was walking through Lowes.
With a T from the water going to the tank back into the intake at the bottom of the chamber excese CO2 is Pulled Back into the chamber and reused. Just my thoughts as I was walking through Lowes.
Randys reef
New member
lets see some pics of the reactors . so i can get an idea how to straighten mine out . every thing go good but after @ a month i get alot c02 build up tried to turn c02 down but its hard to dail in like this i came out of the red button with a line and t it back to c02 line any suggestion would be appericated
Still using mine! Working like a charm. I originally used the aqualifter pump you see in the link but it's a piece of crap. I use a small Maxijet one now and they are much more reliable but all else remains the same.
http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j...rrent=Reactorfinalizedforinstall.jpg&newest=1
http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j...rrent=Reactorfinalizedforinstall.jpg&newest=1
Daemonfly
New member
Bump for an oldie but goodie.
Have a 90g I'm in the process of setting up, and remembered this thread.
Just picked up two 20" clear filter housings for $40 off Ebay, and will be starting my build once I pick up some more fittings. Too bad the OP's pics aren't working any more, but there's enough from other people, like the above post.
Have a 90g I'm in the process of setting up, and remembered this thread.
Just picked up two 20" clear filter housings for $40 off Ebay, and will be starting my build once I pick up some more fittings. Too bad the OP's pics aren't working any more, but there's enough from other people, like the above post.
