ARM Media Reactor pH Range

[Codeman00]

Randy....

Question for your about calcium reactors and ARM media.

I'm running ARM media in my single chamber calcium reactor and after my initial research, the general rule seems to be that the reactor pH needs to be between 6.5-6.7 and never under 6.5 for any long period of time. The problem is my new reactor keeps a constant effluent rate at a higher flow rate than I wanted to run. This is causing me to run a higher pH than 6.7 to keep my tank balanced. My guess is that my final reactor pH will be between around 6.8-6.9.

My question is that I have always read that ARM dissolves best between a pH of 6.5-6.7. But does the solubility of ARM drastically drop off at 6.7 or does it slowly become less soluble as the pH goes up...lets say to 7.0? Hypothetically speaking, can I run the reactor at 7.0 as long as I have my effluent rate set high enough to replenish the tank's needs?

And one more question....how does "CO2 saturation" play into this and should I worry or even care about it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

This is causing me to run a higher pH than 6.7 to keep my tank balanced.

Balanced in what sense?

CO2 saturation is not an issue for aquarists to worry about. It is almost meaningless in the context of a reactor containing calcium carbonate.

Hypothetically speaking, can I run the reactor at 7.0 as long as I have my effluent rate set high enough to replenish the tank's needs?

Absolutely. The internal pH in the reactor is totally unimportant if the reactor is delivering enough calcium and alkalinity to maintain them (and alkalinity will be the bellwether, responding first to under or overdosing).

 

[Codeman00]

<b>Balanced in what sense?</b>

I just meant balanced meaning that the reactor is putting out enough effluent to keep up with the tanks Calcium and Alkalinity demands. Balanced was probably not the best word to describe it.

<b>CO2 saturation is not an issue for aquarists to worry about. It is almost meaningless in the context of a reactor containing calcium carbonate.

Absolutely. The internal pH in the reactor is totally unimportant if the reactor is delivering enough calcium and alkalinity to maintain them (and alkalinity will be the bellwether, responding first to under or overdosing).</b>

Finally, something that makes sense after reading a lot of nonsense in other threads. All this time I was pulling my hair out trying to set the reactor effluent rate while keeping the pH between 6.5-6.7 like everyone said. Now all I have to do is balance the tank demand with the effluent rate and not worry so much about the reactor pH.

Thanks again for all your help..its much appreciated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Now all I have to do is balance the tank demand with the effluent rate and not worry so much about the reactor pH.

:thumbsup:

You're welcome and good luck.