Calcium reactor questions

[dexterd]

I am setting up a calcium reactor. I need a new ph monitoring system.
How does this work in the system. Does it shut the system off if the ph is not correct? It had a pinpoint monitor before.
Do I need to stay with the same brand of monitor, or does it not matter? I understand the co2 dissolves the rocks in the reactor and drips into the system. It cannot dissolve the rocks unless the ph is below a certain level? that is why you add the ph monitor? Do I have this right?
So how does it know when to drip into the tank?
And do I need 2 ph monitors so I can monitor the system ph?
Does the calcium reactor replace the addition of all supplements? Or just certain ones.
I am setting up 2 coral tanks on a system. Total gallons will be around 150. I may also expand to 250 gallons so setting up the system so I can add on.
I just want to understand how this works so I can make sure it is working properly.
Teresa

 

[rgmcloud]

It's been awhile since I set mine up -- so my recall may be off a tad.

Anyway, the pH monitor is designed to maintain the pH in the CR between two points an upper level and a lower level. Between these two points say 6.6 and 6.4 the media dissolves. When the pH in the CR reaches the upper point it turns on the CO2 which lowers the pH in the CR to your lowest setting then turns off the CO2.

As you probably know, a small pump feeds water from your sump to the CR and from the CR a small tube drips enriched CA/ALK into your tank. Setting the drip rate is all I focus on -- others may tweak their systems differently.

As a result of the addition of CR to my 125 display and 30g sump/refugium -- my CA is usually about 420 and my KH is about 8 or 9.

You'll need to do some homework that is unique to your CR -- but the above is a general overview of the process.