Calcium Reactors
About Calcium Reactors
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A calcium reactor uses carbon dioxide and a chamber system to dissolve a premium calcium substrate into your tank. The calcium saturated result is then added to your system at an advanced rate for superior growth in your tank. Calcium Reactors are also the easiest way to maintain the alkalinity and calcium balance.
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Why do you need it?
The next time you take in the beauty of a coral reef, pay attention to which organisms depend on calcium. The live rock, the reef skeletons, even some of the algae -all created with this natural element. And like your body uses calcium to build your bones, your reef and its residents use it to build their unique framework. Reef organisms suck the chemical out of the surrounding water at a suprising rate, so water in your tank can easily become depleted if you don't watch it closely. As you can imagine, a depleted tank can only sustain a limited amount of life. That's why Calcium Reactors are a must for a growing system. These valuable mechanisms boost calcium levels and your system's potential for growth.
How it works:
A basic calcium reactor consists of a pressurized chamber filled with a concentrated calcium substrate. As your MRC Calcium Reactor pulls water from your sump, carbon dioxide is pumped into the chamber. The purpose of the CO2 is to lower the pH of the circulating water, allowing the substrate to dissolve quickly and release calcium and alkalinity buffers into the water. The calcium-enriched product is then directed back into your sump and into your tank.
Alkalinity
An MRC Calcium Reactor is a great way to balance your alkalinity. Generally, pH in a marine environment should fall between 8.0 and 8.4 for excellent health and growth. Any lower and the water will become acidic, any higher and it will become too base. The calcium substrate used with an MRC Calcium Reactor contains alkalinity buffers that help hold your pH levels at a stable and secure position. Think of it as cruise control for your tank!
*Quick Tip: The perfect calcium concentration for most reefs should stay at around 400 ppm. Much lower and your organisms may become nutrient-starved. Go too high and the calcium will begin to precipitate out of the water (visible as tiny floating particles).
Additional Benefits
Also, because calcium reactors use CO2 in its dissolving process, the resultant mixture escapes with a few molecules. The extra carbon dioxide can then be devoured by your aquatic plants for extra fuel. Another added plus is the trace elements of strontium, magnesium and potassium that usually end up in the mix. These small necessities are natural elements found in seawater. Your organisms will eat them up like daily vitamins and use them to produce strong structures and vibrant colors.
Why buy MRC Calcium Reactors:
What may seem like a luxury at first can end up being a necessary money-saver. Although there are other ways to keep your calcium up and alkalinity levels in check, MRC Calcium reactors are by far the least-complicated means of keeping the peace in your tank. Once set-up, they require very little upkeep. Calcium substrate need only be replaced about every 6 months, depending on the size and bio-load of your tank. A minimal cost for the relief of stability and convenience of hands-free Calcium maintenance.
Ok, so correct me if I'm wrong someone please. If I understand this, it's saying that "IF" my Ph level is between 8.0 and 8.4 that my calcium level "will" be in or around 400 ppm??? I think I need to go to sleep I'm to
right now.
