Calcium Reactor

[RevHtree]

I am getting a reactor from a friend and I need to know what else I need.

I know I will be getting the reactor, co2 bottle, media, pump, gauges??....

He said the solenoid does not work. Will I need this, and will I need to run a controller with it?

I have never had one before, and I want to run this on my new 39g. Any info would be appreciated.

I will also be toping off with kalk water if this is any help.

Thanks.

 

[mlb75]

I'm just getting started running a reactor as well so someone please correct me if I've misunderstood or mis represented anything. That being said.

The controller and solenoid are for controlling the PH in the reactor chamber, essentially the solenoid shuts off the CO2 input if the PH gets below a set point. I know several people that run reactors that don't use them and have never had problems, it seems that they are more of a safety stop than a necessity. If you have a controller that will keep it at a set point opening the solenoid when needed and closing it as well that would be nice but again from others experience it doesn't seem to be necessary. The thing to watch is tank PH etc and control that with the CO2 bubble count and the amount of effluent returning to the tank.

I would also say that you wouldn't need to top off with kalk anymore since the reactor will cover the same thing on a constant basis.

 

[drstupid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9573152#post9573152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mlb75
I would also say that you wouldn't need to top off with kalk anymore since the reactor will cover the same thing on a constant basis.

i am in the same boat, researching. i am under the impression that kalk actually complements the reactor, for a number of reasons. one is that tends to drive up the PH, while the reactor tends to lower it.