Calcium reactor and media questions.

[AD87]

Okay setting up my reactor its only a single chamber for now( will be making it dual in a month). What media should I get? I want the Carib sea should I get the large grade or medium grade?

 

[mike660r]

I like the larger Gen-X media. It doesn't gum up as fast as it disolves. The smaller stuff will disolve and clog the sponge in the reactor. Post some pics of your reactor so we know what you are working with.

 

[AD87]

No pics here is the link. I will be running it on a 175 total gallon setup.
http://www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com/product_view.php?model=carx6.18.1


Also I was told the the gen-x changed media and its not what its used to be. sorry no pics.

 

[CleveYank]

You saw mine I have a mix of fine, medium and coarse.
3 different brands at that.

 

[serpentman]

I use the Carib Sea large-sized ARM media. I much prefer it over the smaller media. The small media works well but one mishap with your CO2 and it turns to mush. Although a controller is recommended in general, I would say its a must with the smaller media.

 

[Kreeger1]

Fine, medium and coarse at once in one reactor sounds like that would make a nice BLOCK. I strongly suggest against that Use what ever brand Large media you can find. It will look like dead skeletons.
Erik

 

[CleveYank]

Yep Jeff,

I recall you mentioning the fine can be tricky.
I have the 3 medias set with the fine being the lowest amount and I have to make sure that the pH controller is set perfectly. Of course I rang it when I first got it for 5 years without any problem without any controller. The idea for using it was increased surface area. One thing I did notice about the precision marine Ca reactor was that the flow through the media is rather strong. So maybe all that pressure may also help.

 

[Burgman]

Hi,

I use the ARM, seems to work fine for me..........

Dave

 

[sohal1025]

BYW, how does the controller work on the reactor. Is it just a calc. controller/monitor or are you talking about a system controller such as a Reefkeeper or an Aquacontroller?

 

[serpentman]

Basically its just a pH controller . However, a RK2 or AC unit will do the same thing. Basically, you use the controller to regulate the solenoid dispensing CO2 to the main chamber to keep the pH within desired ranges. Some reactors allow you to mount the probe right in the reactor. Others you can simply set up a drip cup to measure the pH of the effluent.

 

[rbd0331]

I use the Caribsea ARM - Coarse media. Great stuff.

 

[AD87]

Thanks guys I will have all my stuff, I did go with the Caribsea arm large media. Cant wait to get my tanks plumbed.

Does anyone know of a good place to fill my tank with Co2?

 

[Kreeger1]

usually welding supply stores are your best bet. I use the one in lorain by the steel mills
Erik

 

[sohal1025]

serpentman,, so I would just set the controller to 6.5 and let er rip. It will then turn on and off as needed, right?
If so, my reading usually gets down to 6.5 and stays there when the Co2 is on.

 

[serpentman]

Fundamentally, thats about it. However, you will need to adjust the CO2 bubble count so it gets close to the target range without the controller. In other words, you want to use the least amt of CO2 to achieve your target. Also, make gradual adjustments when tweaking the CO2 as it will take a little while to get to where you want it. One its done, its pretty much set and forget.

 

[AD87]

Okay so who is using turbo mag and who is use Dolomite(sp). If any one has any experience that would be great like how much to use in a reactor and how long it lasts.

 

[serpentman]

I use the zeomag with good results. My Mg levels stay around 1350. I probably need to add more soon which means it lasts me about 3-4 mos per packet.

 

[Kreeger1]

I also use the xeomag in the reactor.

 

[serpentman]

Another 2cents regarding dolomite. I have read a few articles discouraging its use for a couple of reasons.

1.) By weight, it dolomite can contain anywhere from 5-20% Mg
2.) Dolomite also contains high concentrations of CaCO3. Therefore, for every Mg ion released, you release 2 alkalinity ions. In other words to adequately boost your Mg levels, you would significantly raise your alkalinity which could create imbalances with calcium.

The advantage of zeomag is its 100% Mg so there are no other elements to deal with. Although more expensive than dolomite, it contains a lot more Mg by weight for the $.

 

[AD87]

Okay so is it zeomag or xeomag? Also serpentman does this stuff have to go in my reactor or can I put it in a filter sock?