Calcium Reactor

[Fishfreak218]

Hello,
I am looking into a calcium reactor for either my 30g. or my 50g.
The reason is because I can never keep stable Ca, Alk, and pH levels and I want to try SPS coral. All the calcium reactors I look at are for 100+ gallon tanks, is there one you could reccomend to me where I wont be spending to much money? Also, I am worried about setting it up. Are they fairly easy to set-up [without mods] because I am not very handy, im 15 and I dont have alot of tools. I was looking at this kit:
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=1189
opinions?
Can someone explain setting up a calcium reactor?
I know the idea of how you put a calcium media into the reactor and Co2 is injected into the reactor to lower the pH and break down the media. Then this is released into the water and brought to the sump. I understand that but what is the purpose of a solenoid? How do i adjust it? Also do I hook the controller up to the tank or inside the reactor?
I am so confused. Please help.
thanks alot
-Josh

 

[culinarydreamz]

it's simple but tricky in the same sense if u can understand that.
One false move and you can really "rock" the tank or possibly loose everything if not closly monitored! If you have a LFS around by that for 20. or 30$ swing by and hook it up for ya, I would highly recommend that!

The main this is that the media (argonite) will start to disolve at a ph level of 6.4 or 6.3 depending on the brand of media. what you need to ensure is that when you hook the co2 tank up the the reactor with the regulator and all the other good stuff, u need to set the bubble counter accordingly. once co2 hits the tank water, it will immediately drop the ph down. too many bubbles in the bubble counter and it will drop too low, not enough and the ph will not drop low enough to disolve any of the argonite which inturn will just return a low ph water back to ur tank. If the ph level drops to where it's suppose to, the argonite will disolve, thus adding essential minerals, nutrients, ph buffer and all that good stuff back to ur tank on a drip.

Also, if the ph is to low from to much co2 being injected, the media will disolve to quickly and immediatly turn to mush and possibly clog ur system..

any reactor will do wether it's for a 200 gallon or 300 gallon or 50 gallon. they will all work fine even though yes, some are bigger and cost more but you can dial them in to ur needs of ur size tank.

you will need a co2 bottle, no less than a 5lbs tank.
then you need to get a co2 regulator. these are pricy. about 125.00 but are good! they will regulate the pressure comming out of the co2 tank to the pressure needed for the reactor. if you can find the good ones, they can also come with a solenoid valve which hooks up to a ph "controller" which will constantly monitor the ph levels. if the ph gets to low, it will trip off the co2 tank and stop co2 from being injected and will alow for ph to come back up! very good investment..

next u will need obviously the ph controller. if you don't get the controller, then get a monitor. it will give you a 24/7 digital read out of the reactor chamber ph level. You have to check it to see if it's right. and you have to make the adjustments ur self....trust me, spend the extra cash and protect ur investments. get the controller..

after that, all u need is the media and ur up and running!

any more questions, please ask...
by the way, i do have a reef octopus cr140 i am selling. I'm new on here and can't post sale threads so I'm doing single advertisements!!!! it's rated for tanks up to 225. It's brand new and never used. I don't have any sps so i don't really need it. my levels stay fine with dosing. plus i only have a 37 gallon tank. i won the reactor at a reef event!!

hope this helps

 

[Fishfreak218]

wow.
thanks alot!
So basically I dont really touch the solenoid? I just hook it up to the controller and the controller will turn it off or on accordingly?
What do you guys think about this kit?
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=1189
Also, I can come and have someone hook it up, I just want to make sure I understand it just incase something goes wrong.
So how do I know how many bubbles and how much effluent??
(i think thats the right word)
does the controller's probe go into the calcium reactor?
thanks alot

 

[Fishfreak218]

?

 

[Fishfreak218]

bump