Ca RX on My sps tank?

[kpk]

Ok I have had my reactor setup on my sps tank for a few days now. I have been testing everyday. Starting out my dKH was 7.4 (2.63 ALK)/Ca at about 350 ppm. So I set the drip rate pretty quickly and yesterday it dkh was at 9.6 so I set it down a little and tonight at 9.0, so I am thinking it is pretty stable there. Well throughout the few days I have been adding kent turbo calcium to get the calcium where I want it, but everyday it reads different: Day 1 it was 350, 2 360, 3 360, then earlier I tested and it was around 300 (maybe I screwed up) then I added some and now at 380. Everyday I have added about a tsp of the turbo calcium.

Well I know I haven't really asked a question, but I guess I am trying to figure out what to do. Do I get the Alk set in stone, and then add the heck out of the calcium to get it around 420? Speed up the effluent to get the ca to stay (won't that raise alk)? Slow it down?

The sps have been looking good, decent pe etc. Color's are good, but want to get this thing dialed in.

Thanks if anyone understands all my bs'n.

Kyle

 

[PUGroyale]

You're gonna need to adjust up with both the turbo Ca and the buffer steadily until you hit your target levels. Getting one level set and then dropping in a bunch of the other will cause the first level to drop... they work against each other in that regard. I'd shoot for 8.5 dKh and 410-420 and then hope the CaRX will keep them balanced right there look... i can ramble on pretty good too :lol2:

 

[REEF-DADDY]

I would stop adding stuff until you figure out if the reactor is keeping things stable. If you know your alk is in the 9's and your ca is in the high 300's your OK for know. Measure your alk everyday for a week until you don't see a change. Then add your ca and alk in a balanced fashion to tweak your levels. Right now you really don't know if the reactor is changing things or you are. Basically focus on the alk to get the reactor dialed in.

 

[kpk]

Ok so i will just let it go for awhile. I have it dripping at a decent rate and keeping the ph in the reactor at 6.6. How fast should the drip rate be?

Thanks Steve and Dave.

 

[REEF-DADDY]

Depends on your tank. 6.6 should be good for reactor ph. Adjust the drip rate so that tank alk stays constant.

fwiw My reactor ph is 6.6 and I drip 20 ml/minute on my 280 with mostly frags

 

[jay24k]

All depends on your tank. My ph is 6.3 and I drip 60ml per minute on my tank. My bubble count is pretty high. I have a 180 stocked packed

 

[REEF-DADDY]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8230710#post8230710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
All depends on your tank. My ph is 6.3 and I drip 60ml per minute on my tank. My bubble count is pretty high. I have a 180 stocked packed

show off :eek1:

 

[kpk]

Thanks for all the info. I will just watch test until all levels out...

Kyle

 

[kpk]

Hey Steve, Jay and Dave I'm back. Ok it's been a couple of weeks and my tank is doing much better since I got this reactor working at a constant rate. ATM my test show dkh of about 9.5 and has been that way give or take a tenth or 2 for the last couple weeks. The only time that really changed was when I added some alk/ca buffer to get the ca up.

Well I think that at 9.5 I am in good shape on the DKH, but I can't get the ca to stay above 370-380 no way. Early last week it was at 370, I added some buffers and got it up to 410. In like a day that was back down to 380. Well yesterday I did the same thing and today back down to 380...

Anyways what do I need to do to hold the ca up? Do I take the ph down in the reactor? Faster drip rate? Combo of each? Keep in mind I am using the larger Gen-X media.

Thanks for the help. The SPS are lovin' you for it...

 

[jnfallon]

Whats your magnesium level?

 

[Clamaholic]

the magnesium is the key. Now that you have the alk dialed in get your mag around 1350 and that will maintain the balence between the alk and calc. I went through this same fiasco not too long ago when I set up my reactor. Balence out your mag and you will be smooth sailing

 

[jnfallon]

You can add magnesium to the carx and it will supplement it as well. I use Rowa C+ in a fluidized calcium reactor and mine is 1350-1380 like clockwork. I dont know the ratio for other brands but I'm sure you can get it here quickly.

 

[kpk]

Well sob I new I forgot something when I ordered. I don't even have a mg test kit! Maybe the lfs here will have one. If not I will order one asap. Jnfallon is it reactor media or how exactly does it work? I could get some of that and try it out. As of now I do have some kent mag buffer.

Thanks Clam and Jn

 

[jnfallon]

Yes, Rowa C+ is reactor media made for fluidizer calcium reactors. It has magnesium in it. Its way expensive though (cheapest on Marine depot) and may not work well with other reactors as its fine. I dont know. Otherwise, people mix another brand of magnesium into the aragamax or whatever to release magnesium as they release calcium. I wish I had a link for you.

Read Randy's articles on Calcium/Alkalinity/Magnesium/Ph/Phosphate in the chemistry forum. They're really interesting and accessible for non chemists like me.

 

[kpk]

Ok Jn I will get over there tomorrow sometime (getting tired, lol). I will look into some media that will do this. I have read that dolomite or something is good for keeping up magnesium levels. Guess I need to just start reading.

Thanks again,
Kyle

 

[jnfallon]

Yep. Dolomite is what I was thinking of. Thats whats added to c+. I'm not sure what brand or ratio is popular for mixing though.