adjusting a cr-2 calcuim reactor

[jjoos99]

I was wandering if anyone could give me some advise on adjusting my cr-2 reactor? Mrc web site doesnt give a step by step and I am having some stn issues I believe is coming from lower alk. Not sure what ph target to shoot for coming out of the second chamber? I am also getting quite a bit of powdered media in the second chamber also.
thanks
Jeff

 

[nozleman]

To adjust alk. higher increase bubble rate, Randy has a great article on how to adjust Calcium reactors, search for it or hopefully someone has the link.

 

[tkeracer619]

What media are you running?

6.5ph is a good target for the first chamber. Pull the output from the first chamber and test it there.

 

[jjoos99]

I am using the large arm media in the first chamber and the small chip sytle in the second. right now my tank is running at 8.0 on the alk and 400 on ca. with my ph making 8.05 during the day and dropping to 7.89 overnight. I need to bring my levels up with supplements then get the reactor dialed in to maintain.
Jeff

 

[tkeracer619]

I tried that same media setup not too long ago. What I found was that the large media needs a lower ph and when using the small media in the second chamber some of it will like to dissolve much faster.

I since switched back to the standard arm media and all is good.

My reactor is setup with a cole-parmer peristaltic feed pump and an aquariumplants.com electronic regulator. Reactor is the same as yours MRC CR2 Dual. Has been rock solid on my 360 for years.