I just got my K2R Calcium Reactor up and going. I am using ARM for media. I have a question for all you calcium reactor guys. How much media do you tend to go through? I also I have a CO2 bubble on top of the reactor that has yet to go away am I using to much co2? Any help will be aprreciated as I am trying to get this dialed in.
Calcium Reactor owners.
- Thread starter joelk835
- Start date
aquaconnect
New member
I just got mine dialed in, I got a geo, but I also went with a pinpoint ph controller. Media should last 6mts.
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
Re: Calcium Reactor owners.
The ph of the effluent is 6.9-7.0.
21 bubbles of co2 per minute
420 cal, 8.0 alk
8.1-8.2 tank ph
Mostly lps corals
The co2 bubble on top of your reactor should eventually disappear. I would think that the K2R reactor has been made to keep excess co2 from "puddling" at the top.
My reactor holds a little more than a gallon of ARM. I'm sure it is oversized for my 75g tank, but after 1 year it looks like it's still full; maybe 1 inch gone.
The ph of the effluent is 6.9-7.0.
21 bubbles of co2 per minute
420 cal, 8.0 alk
8.1-8.2 tank ph
Mostly lps corals
The co2 bubble on top of your reactor should eventually disappear. I would think that the K2R reactor has been made to keep excess co2 from "puddling" at the top.
I have a Lifereef CA Reactor and for my 120 I fill it about 3/4 full which takes up about one of the big ARM containers (1 gal I think). I replace my media about every 4 months. The reason is not because the effluent PH goes wackie or anything but I believe the trace elements drop off quicker.
I wouldn't worry about the gas build up in the reactor unless it's excessive. If you have a ton you may have Gas lock or are injecting too much CO2 for the turnover amount your running.
Another thing is that you really have to keep checking your DkH/Alk because when the media starts becoming depleted you will not necessarly see a drop off of CA but you'll start to see a big jump in DkH/Alk. As long as you test regulary and the CA and DkH/Alk is stable your OK.
The problem is each system uses CA at a different rate and depending on what you have in your tank, you may go though the media faster than someone else. The best bet is to go by the CA and DkH/Alk and when you see a increase in DkH/Alk and your CA is steady then replace your media. JMO.
I wouldn't worry about the gas build up in the reactor unless it's excessive. If you have a ton you may have Gas lock or are injecting too much CO2 for the turnover amount your running.
Another thing is that you really have to keep checking your DkH/Alk because when the media starts becoming depleted you will not necessarly see a drop off of CA but you'll start to see a big jump in DkH/Alk. As long as you test regulary and the CA and DkH/Alk is stable your OK.
The problem is each system uses CA at a different rate and depending on what you have in your tank, you may go though the media faster than someone else. The best bet is to go by the CA and DkH/Alk and when you see a increase in DkH/Alk and your CA is steady then replace your media. JMO.
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