calcium reactor starting point

[rogergolf66]

I am setting up a calcium reactor. The reactor is well oversized for my needs right now. I have 60 plus sps frags growing good in a 65gal tank. I will be running reactor on ph controller but how fast would u set the effluent to start?

Tring to min alk swings

Thanks

Roger

 

[sirreal63]

Some easy things to remember Roger, you can control the reactor by the effluent rate and the ph. Ideally you want the effluent rate fast enough to not clog, and then you control the alk output with the reactor ph. Typically you want the effluent to be a fast drip so it won't clog as easy, and then slowly drop the ph until it matches your alk consumption. That is the Cliff's Notes version, and it doesn't matter if the ph is higher than you think it should be, I am running mine at 7.4 right now, but I also have a very low demand. It does not have to be at 6.5, you want the media to dissolve based on the consumption, not some arbitrary number, anything under 7.6 IIRC will dissolve it, the lower the ph, the faster it will dissolve.

 

[rogergolf66]

I did not realize it would start disolving at 7.4??? I am using a ph controler and as I mentioned the reactor is oversized for my damand. Well if I am running my effluent fast at 7.4 then that will for sure drop ph in tank pretty quick. How many ml/ min r u talking at 7:4?
Thanks for info.
Roger

 

[sirreal63]

I haven't measured the ml/minute, the ph drop in the tank may not be as bad as you think, and certainly less than it would be if the reactor were at 6.5 The important thing is to try and match the consumption, and to get the effluent slow enough to not clog. Over the years I have found the easiest way was to find that spot where it won't clog, in my case a steady drip and a high ph in the reactor, as demand increases, just lower the ph in the reactor to meet the demand. It can get harder initially if the reactor is greatly oversized, but you can still tune it, you may even have to run the reactor half days to keep from raising the alk too much. I have never had to do that, but I know some people have, I see nothing wrong with it as long as the alk does not rise and fall very much.

 

[gonpostal]

I have a GEO 612 reactor, and my effluent rate is 25 ML per minute and my CO2 is at 20 BPM. This keeps my reactor pH at about 6.6.
HTH

 

[rogergolf66]

Does anyone have a link to something saying that media starts to disolve at 7.4 ph? I can't find that any where

 

[rogergolf66]

This was all I was able to find on this copy and pasted

Different brands of calcium reactor media dissolves at different pH levels. I just found this out the hard way. I went from ARM course sized to Knop Koralith media. My calcium level was cut in half because I had my controller set at a higher pH.

Roger

 

[gonpostal]

This article might be helpful.

 

[rogergolf66]

Sad part is I just read that article last week I miss rememmbered I thought it said 6.7 but it says 7.7

Ok thanks.

I think my plan will be to set it up at 7.7 with the reactor full of media. As I said it it way over sized this should alow for the higher ph but having it full should help with quantity of media disolving. I will check alk every night and see what it it. If I have to add some 2 part I will I will adjust reactor every other day till I don't have to add 2 part anymore.

How does that sound? Will the media start dissolving is 24 hours of adjustment or do I need to give it more time to see? If so how long should I wait till I lower ph by .1?

 

[gonpostal]

IMO 7.7 sounds a little high, I think most people run theirs below 7 (maybe others will chime in). I use Tropic Eden media in mine, and they recommend between 6.5 and 6.8. According to that article:
Generally, most people get good results dissolving aragonitic media inside the reactor at pH 6.5 to 6.7, but be aware that some of the harder CaCO3 media, such as those made of calcite, will require an even lower pH to dissolve easily.
It may be a good idea to start a little lower, maybe 7.

 

[sirreal63]

No worries Roger, it will depend on the consumption of alk in the system, 7.7 may be too high if you are using the large media, but it may not be, testing of the alk daily for a few weeks will let you know where to set the reactor's ph. When you get to the point where it stays steady and does not fall, then it just becomes a maintenance thing. There is no set ph or drip rate or bubble count, all tanks are different, and as corals grow you will need to increase the output, either by lowering the ph or increasing the effluent rate.

I run the large media, (Reborn) and for now the 7.4 is holding my alk about 9, all corals are small so consumption is small and as they grow I will need to drop the ph to dissolve more and keep up with the need for alk. Calcium Reactors should have been named alk reactors, it is the alk that is being tuned, the calcium is there when the alk is there. I hope that helps.

 

[rogergolf66]

Thanks so much for all ur help. U say ur corals r small can u give me an idea. How many stony corals u have in what size tank and what reactor u r using? Thanks

 

[sirreal63]

I have several 1-3" frags, 4 the size of a green apple and a lot of coraline. Remember it isn't just the corals that deplete cal, alk and mag, it is also the coraline and if you have clams, they can consume a lot. I have about 130 gallons of water, an old MRC reactor that is very small that has been re-designed a little to help with efficiency and it has kept up with every tank I have thrown at it. When this tank does outgrow my reactor I have a Korallin 1501 in the closet but will probably just get another MRC.

 

[rogergolf66]

Thanks for info. Just did leak test. It pasted!!! Going to get media now. Then if its open going to fill co2 tank today also. Just waiting for ph controller after that.

Roger

 

[sirreal63]

Excellent, be sure and leak test again after hooking up the CO2 and never be afraid to ask questions, someone will always have the answer.

 

[karsseboom]

First set up the reactor and get it all dialed in before you set up the controller. Don't set the ph on the controller until you know what the ph will be in order to maintain your alk. I would set your effluent at a slow stream to a vey fast drip, then add about 15 bubble per min to start. Check your alk in 24hr and if it dropped maybe increase the bubble count to 17 bubble per min. I'd it rises then reverse and decrease the bubble count. Once you get your alk at a steady rate see what the ph had been maintained during this time an set the controller at that ph.

 

[rogergolf66]

I have set up a calcium reactor as u r stating. It is a pain in the *** to adjust 1 bubble per min that is why this time I bought the controller before I started this one.
Maybe I'm doing it backwards but I was tring to min head ach of making small adjustments to bubble count

Roger

 

[mc-cro]

the main thing is to get the bubble rate set so that it is consistent and the controller is not constantly switching the co2 on and off.

this serves 2 purposes. a) it eliminates wear and tear on the solenoid. its not a major concern, but there are a finite number of cycles in a mechanical gas solenoid. b) if the controller or solenoid should ever fail in the open state, large amounts of co2 wont be dumped into the tank or possilby blowing a seal in the reactor the steady bubble rate will still keep ticking right along, you may end up with a slightly lower ph, but it shouldnt be fatal to your tank

 

[rogergolf66]

I agree I want to get bubble count very close with out controller that is the plan. I was just going to do that using the controller. Meanning get it set with say 20 bubbles per min at say a ph set on controller of say 7.4 then adjust bubbles so that controller dosnt turn on and off very often. I have the same concernes u do just looking at it upside down. Thanks for input. I may endup doing it your way anyways if my controller dosnt come in the mail by Monday.

Thanks

Roger

 

[mc-cro]

fwiw, I set my ph and effluent rate, then tweak the bubble rate to match