Calcium Reactor.........Again

[Roy G. Biv]

Just wanted quick advice..
My calcium reactor calls for effluent of
pH: 6.0-6.5
Alk: 35-40 dKH

I have it set exactly to the manufacturers specs. I am getting effluent
pH: 6.81
Alk: 33.6 dKH

I can solve this one of two ways. 1)Increase the co2 b/s 2)Decrease the flow through the reactor.
Which is preferable?

 

[italia]

how many bubbles per second are u running? or how many per minute? what is ur effluent rate?

Good setting for the bubbles is 35 bubbles per minute and the effluent should be somewhere in the 55-70ML per minute

Now that is for my reactor but I don't see why other reactors would be any different.
If your PH is 0.31 too high and your ALK is 1.4 too low then this is rule of thumb:

Increasing the CO2 feed will cause the Effluent PH to drop and raise effluent alkalinity

Decreasing CO2 feed will do just the opposite.

Increasing the effluent flow rate will cause the effluent ph to rise and lower effluent alkalinity

So from this I would think raising your CO2 feed would be the best bet. NOT MUCH AT ALL. TINY TINY TINY bit
good luck.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

The instructions say :
co2: 1 b/s (perfect), 2 b/s (good)
flow 20-25 ml/min

Wow what a difference from yours. That was a very good explanation, thanks!

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I dont see how the manufacturer can know exactly what your tank's Ca and Alk demands are.

The desired pH depends on the media generally. Adjust Co2 to adjust pH. Manipulate the effluent rate to adjust the tank's Ca and Alk. If your tank alk is dropping raise effluent rate, if it is raising, lower it.

What media/substrate are you using in the reactor?

 

[Roy G. Biv]

I know there are cheaper alternatives, but I wanted something proven to get this adjusted.
I am more concerned about raising the ALK in my tank more than the calcium if that is possible.

 

[italia]

I'm using the same stuff