I just started running my CR a while back and everything seems fine. Cal 420 and Alk @ 9 dkh. But my question is that the PH inside of the reactor reads 6.7 but when I check the effluent it's around 7.4. Is this something I should be worryed about or is this fine? I'm just wondering if my effluent should be lower. BTW the ph inside my tank is a consistant 8.3
Calcium Reactor PH of effluent
- Thread starter Danster
- Start date
I agree, the alkalinity is the important factor, not the pH. And in the end, it is only the tank pH and alkalinity that are a concern. If those are OK, and they are, nothing else in a CaCO3/CO2 reactor matters. 
These may be useful:
A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.htm
Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html
These may be useful:
A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.htm
Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html
That alkalinity is fine in reactor effluent. Some have it above 30 dKH.
comatose
Active member
nothing is wrong, 21 dkh is fine, mine hangs around 40 dKh,
you said its a Single chamber reactor, thats pretty good that the PH in the chamber is 6.7 and in the effluent its 7.4 , thats pretty darn efficent, at the same time that doesn't seem possible with a single chamber reactor. what are you using to check both places for PH?
I checked my ph with a ph probe. I am very confident that the probes are working correctly. I'm kind of new with working a CR so what is a good range for the effluent's alk? Comatose, you said yours hangs around 40. I'm assuming 21 must be ok. Should I only be checking the effluent's alk to make sure the CR is doing its job?
comatose
Active member
yes and no, but mostly you check the tank Alk to make sure if it's staying steady. if it is then everything is fine,
test the tank Alk each day at the same time.
If the tank alk is going higher then you want to reduce the bubble rate and the Effleuent rate(drip rate).
if the tank alk is going lower then you increase the bubble rate and also the drip rate.
until you test from one day to the next and the alk stays steady.sometimes it takes more than a week to get everything adjusted just right.
try and keep the Reactor Ph between 6.5 and 6.9
test the tank Alk each day at the same time.
If the tank alk is going higher then you want to reduce the bubble rate and the Effleuent rate(drip rate).
if the tank alk is going lower then you increase the bubble rate and also the drip rate.
until you test from one day to the next and the alk stays steady.sometimes it takes more than a week to get everything adjusted just right.
try and keep the Reactor Ph between 6.5 and 6.9
CR so what is a good range for the effluent's alk?
I agree with comatose. The ideal level is whatever level is necessary to maintain tank alkalinity.
I agree with comatose. The ideal level is whatever level is necessary to maintain tank alkalinity.
That sounds good.
Happy reefing!
Happy reefing!
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