Calcium reactor and dosing timers

[purge43]

Im ditching two part dosing and finally jumping into a calcium reactor. Since I spent an awful lot of money for the sequence timers to control the dosing pumps, Im wondering if I can save the money for a ph controller and use the timers to control the solenoid that will feed the CO2? And just tune it in that way. I already have a digital ph monitor. I was thinking of having it sequence during the lights on cycle to lessen any ph swings. Im looking to buy the korallin C1502.. any advice would be appreciated ....Cal reactor newbie... tia

 

[tkeracer619]

If you use an adjustable peristaltic pump to feed the reactor and an aquariumplants.com electronic regulator you will easily be able to adjust the reactor so its stable enough not to need a controller. I would however use one simply as a backup should something fail. This setup is also pricey.

A few tips.

Cheap regulators will cost you more then an expensive one after a few years of replacing them. Cheapies are essentially disposable. Get the aquariumplants.com electronic regulator. It is absolutely worth every penny.

Adjust the tank with 2 part. Use the reactor to keep it stable.

Take it slow. A reactor can spike your tank if your not careful. Start slow and keep dosing two part. Adjust the reactor so you have to dose less until you end up not having to dose.

6.5 is a pretty good ph to start with in the first chamber (if its a dual chamber).

Adjust the regulator so that it is always on and uses the solenoid as a emergency shut off. Don't use the solenoid to keep the reactor stable. They just fail too often.

 

[das75]

you could play around with timers and pH controllers and have it cycling on and off or just have the reactor tuned to run continuous not that hard (how I ran mine though had the pH probe, controller, solenoid etc).

 

[coopj]

Following along. I am thinking about putting a Calcium Reactor in my 57.