Calcium reactors and PH

[tperk9784]

Okay all you calcium reactor pro’s out there I have a question for you. I am planning on running one on my next tank and I was wondering something. I understand the concept of how a CR works. Insert CO2 into the water to lower the PH to help dissolve the media. My question is how (if any) can we raise the PH of the effluent back up before it reaches the tank?

If we were to drip the effluent into a holding container before sending it back to the tank/sump?

What about returning the effluent into your sump at the point your skimmer might pick some of it up, would all the agitation let some of the CO2 escape?

I know these probably sound stupid but I just can’t help thinking there has got to be some way to improve upon it.


Tim

 

[gasman059]

Hope this helps: There's many good articles out there!
Making adjustments to the CO2 rate will affect the pH level inside the reactor. A quick fix to keep the pH stable is to make the same adjustment to the effluent flow rate as you make to the CO2. For example, if you double the CO2 rate, double the effluent rate, too.

To rid the tank of any excess CO2 and maintain a good pH, it is essential to have good circulation at the air/water interface.
Another popular technique to remove excess CO2 is to degas the effluent, either by running it through an additional container of calcium carbonate chippings or by dripping the effluent into a small container housing an air stone. Results from these methods vary, with some aquarists reporting significant increases in alkalinity or pH and others seeing little observable difference (probably due to different calcium reactor designs and their effectiveness). With both of these methods you must be careful. As the pH is driven back up towards natural seawater levels, some of the bicarbonate is converted into carbonate. Once the water becomes supersaturated with carbonate, it will be more inclined to precipitate onto calcium carbonate surfaces, and some alkalinity will be lost.

 

[Rogger Castells]

there is several calcium reactors that have a second chamber were the effluent flows last before it drips into the tank, this second chamber is not dosed with co2 and therefor it serves as a buffering chamber taking care of an recidual co2.
You should also know that the effluent on the calcium reactor although it has a lower ph than your tank water it also has a very high alkalinity that help your tank buffer the lower ph almost on contact.
The problem comes when the CR are not tuned and the acid water is going through the chamber too fast not dissolving enough calcium and not carrying enough alk.
Your best bet is to understand the process and test the water often until you understand your tank buffering capabilities well. A ph controller is also a great tool.

 

[tperk9784]

I never took chemistry so I will do my best with this stuff.

I did not realize that the second chamber was to reduce the PH. I was under the assumption that since it was a closed system that the CO2 would keep the ph low until it comes in contact with the air.


When you say the High alkalinity buffers your tank against the High PH do you mean that it prevents the sudden drop in PH when the water is added back to the tank?


Thanks for your help.

tim

 

[Rogger Castells]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9607652#post9607652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tperk9784
I never took chemistry so I will do my best with this stuff.

I did not realize that the second chamber was to reduce the PH. I was under the assumption that since it was a closed system that the CO2 would keep the ph low until it comes in contact with the air.


When you say the High alkalinity buffers your tank against the High PH do you mean that it prevents the sudden drop in PH when the water is added back to the tank?


Thanks for your help.

tim

The second chamber serve to consume residual co2 thus increasing the ph, remember the lower the ph the more acid it is, 7.0 being neutral.
the Alkalinity measurement in a nutshell is your tank ability to keep your ph stable, the effluent of the calcium reactor carries a high alkalinity.
If you are use to two part solutions, the Calcium reactor does the same but in one single drip.

 

[jeffbrig]

Using a kalk (kalkwasser) ractor in tandem with a CO2 reactor is a great way to offset the low pH. kalkwasser has a very high pH and helps neutralize the acidity in the CO2 reactor's effluent.

 

[saltwaterfishlover]

another way that helps is yes a second chamber and then drip the output near the input of your skimmer the the bubbleation helps the ph raise and yes having a kalkwasser drip does help maintain a higher ph....

 

[nyvp]

where do you guys fill your co2 tanks?

 

[gasman059]

hey joe my fill up is an old weldind gas place -arrrrg i also bought my tank from them.
Its in in the wharehouse area and for the love of God dont remember the name.

 

[Rogger Castells]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613629#post9613629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
hey joe my fill up is an old weldind gas place -arrrrg i also bought my tank from them.
Its in in the wharehouse area and for the love of God dont remember the name.

lol good one Manny

 

[Rogger Castells]

This is my place of choice, they are behind the Home depot on 441 and Hallandale beach blvd in that industrial area.

Florida Gas Welding Supplies
2215 SW 58th Ave
Hollywood, FL 33023

(954) 962-6844

 

[gasman059]

sh i i it thats it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rogger Castells]

Joe, Why do you need to fill already? is this a very small tank? if not, ask them to give you new gaskets it sounds like you have a leak, Check the union with some water & soap after you tight to make sure you don't have a slow leak.

 

[nyvp]

I never filled it up yet. this will be my first.

 

[jeffbrig]

Hey Joe, when are you planning to go? I need a fill up for my little CO2 tank as well.