Calc Reactor up and running

A

andywe

New member
I set up my Calc reactor..now jsut have to dial it in. It is a 2 outlet system (Koraalin C1502).

I have an aqualifter feeding it to keep some pressure going.

Gear:

5# CO2 tank
AquariumPlant.com electronic regulator, set to 1 bubble every 7 seconds (physicall bubble counter does not match). I am also trying to adjust the bubble size to match the tube volume as well. This I guess is a slow going thing.

ARM media
1st out out set to drip 30-40 drops per min
2nd outlet (trying to dial into) 2 drops per min
 
Just setup a PH controller (RKE) to control your reactors PH and you will never have to count bubbles again :)
Also that ARM media is loaded with phosphates, so keep up the GFO regimen.
 
Hey Rick, Just curious about the ARM being full of phosfates ? where did you get that Info from? I have been using ARM In all my reactors and never had any Issues! But If It's a proven fact I'd like to see It.
Andy, If you use the controller call me B4 you set It up as I just did my new reactor and had an Issue with PH going too low. It may save you from melting your media.
Just finally got the Aquasurf running (Thanks to Chuck) and have a nice 3/4 Inch wave going on, It's kinda funny seeing the fish bob up and down and the coral seems to like It too. Could most likely do more but It would go below my overflows and stop water returning to my sump.
If you have any questions that I can help with call me!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15143309#post15143309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andywe
Ugh it is? I am trying to run ULNS...Everyone was out of the Korallind Media.
Click to expand...

Gen-X and Schuran media are some of the lowest phosphate brands. Also the stuff Aquatic Eco sells Reborn is pretty good.



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15143344#post15143344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poolkeeper1
Hey Rick, Just curious about the ARM being full of phosfates ? where did you get that Info from? I have been using ARM In all my reactors and never had any Issues! But If It's a proven fact I'd like to see It.
Andy, If you use the controller call me B4 you set It up as I just did my new reactor and had an Issue with PH going too low. It may save you from melting your media.
Just finally got the Aquasurf running (Thanks to Chuck) and have a nice 3/4 Inch wave going on, It's kinda funny seeing the fish bob up and down and the coral seems to like It too. Could most likely do more but It would go below my overflows and stop water returning to my sump.
If you have any questions that I can help with call me!
Click to expand...

Bill, this has always been a Known issue with ARM. Nothing new. Even with the R/o rinse they suggest, the phosphates are still pretty high. They have some large size media they are claiming is lower phosphate, but it is still pretty high. Here a link to some tests recently done by some people. And these tests were done with a colorimeter.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1609257&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
 
The large size Is the only one I use, But I have some new large media from Coralvue on It's way which Is their own brand. I'll call David and ask him If there Is any Issues with theirs.
Thanks, Bill
PS, I've still never had any Issues with ARM so must not be very much In It.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15143688#post15143688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poolkeeper1
The large size Is the only one I use, But I have some new large media from Coralvue on It's way which Is their own brand. I'll call David and ask him If there Is any Issues with theirs.
Thanks, Bill
PS, I've still never had any Issues with ARM so must not be very much In It.
Click to expand...

I think most of the manufactures are getting most of it from the same distributor. Its really jus hit or miss and I am sure that batches fluctuate also. I used to only use schuran media on my 280 and never had any phosphate issues either, but then again I was doing 100 Gal NSW water changes every 2-3 weeks. I am using Gen-x now and it is good media, I think it is the schruan media, just relabeled.
 
After reading most of what Randy had to say on It, I'm not too worried as long as I don't see any problems from It. But when I change Media next time I'll get Gen-x for sure, What Is coming from Coralvue may well not have the Phosfate Issue and I will find out. Thanks for the Info Rick!
 
Sure thing Bill, that is what is great about these boards, to try and help each other out. :thumbsup: Now only if my tank could look as beautiful as yours :D, I hate all the waiting in this hobby :lol: I want my old tank back..... :sad2:

Andy just try to not let the Reactors PH go below 6.6 or like bill said the media will be mush, and no higher than 7, or it won't dissolve the media. What I do with the controller is usually set it @ 6.7 and then just adjust my effluent rate to hit my target Alk Calcium usuage. The ph will depend on your tanks consumption though, but 6.7 should be a good start.
 
Well I replaced my media with the Coralvue Brand and tested It for Phosphate, Came out to less than 0.1 on my test kit, It barely showed any at all. But not sure where that leads over time? The media they sent Is definitely different than ARM, It's much larger and does contain some small pieces of shells and various coral debri. I'll see how It does for awhile and go from there!
 
Some people will run the effluent drip through phosphate remover media... Use a plastic dixie cup, cut a half dollar sized hole in the bottom, place a sponge pad cut to fit the bottom of the dixie cup, put in the phosphate remover, and then drip the effluent through the GFO or Phosguard... This will remove the phosphates and leave you with the good stuff... ;)

I am a big fan of Gen X media though... :D

Oh, and +1 on setting up your RKE as a controller for your CO2... :p
 
That Is a plan, I'll do that today and err on the safe side. Actually the containers that the media came In will be perfect to make exactly what you describe they have little handles and can be hung above the drip area In my sump.
Thanks for the tip Randy, Hope to meet all you guy's at your frag swap coming up.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15149961#post15149961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ct_vol
Some people will run the effluent drip through phosphate remover media... Use a plastic dixie cup, cut a half dollar sized hole in the bottom, place a sponge pad cut to fit the bottom of the dixie cup, put in the phosphate remover, and then drip the effluent through the GFO or Phosguard... This will remove the phosphates and leave you with the good stuff... ;)

I am a big fan of Gen X media though... :D

Oh, and +1 on setting up your RKE as a controller for your CO2... :p
Click to expand...

Thnaks Randy. that part was easy.

I did test my effluent and the effluent was at 6.7 when the probe in the reactor was 6.54. I did adjust the CO2 to turn on at 6.65 or higher since the reaction will continue going on for a but even after the gas is turned off :-)

The biggest problem I have thus far is keeping the drip going. these little ball valves suck, and even the alternate ones I got. I am going to have to find a better way.

My reactor has 2 outputs. not just one. I can run 1 or the other, or both. Running both ensures excess gas build-up in the reactor gets bled out.

1 output in the lid, the other along the outflow down into the chamber bottom.
 
That is on my list for today :D

I am using an aqualifter for keeping pressure on the feed. Any reason why not to just use Outlet 2 that way it bleeds of any bubbles come in? I get some through the intake now and then.
 
Andy, get a smc needle valve from us plastics. They are the most precise and barely need to ever be adjusted once set.
 
Ok great. I have the JG but not installed yet. I will see how they do..

Oh, as for the Aquariumplant.com CO2 regulator. It is AWESOME. No needle valves to mess up, and the electronic controls not only how many bubbles/min but also bubble size..which is awesome.
 
If you order from US plastics let me know I'd like to get one of those neddle valves from them. Mine rarely clog but every now and then the flow needs adjusting, So I'll try them!
Thanks
 
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