Calcium Reactors - Drip rate and ph level?

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8093355#post8093355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
Two minutes is too soon to determine the stable effluent alkalinity level, it usually takes two to four hours so you may want to test again tomorrow morning.
For the time being we need to establish a base line to start making adjustments from so try to keep it stable at PH 6.3 and 80 ml/min and test again two days from now the effluent alkalinity as well as the tank. This will be our base line to start adjusting up or down.

Right on jdieck that is your base line jay24k i usuly let it run overnight and then make adjustment.
But don't be surprise if the large media take some time before it star to melt so have a ...................:beer: and relax

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8093442#post8093442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
Sounds like a plan. The exiting effluent is usually around what alkilinity? If I recall, shouldn't it be pretty high up there?

Depending on the testing method but shall be anywhere between 25 and 35 dKH. If you use a chemical test kit you may want to dilute the sample 50/50 before testing, then test and multiply the result by two. That will help in saving some reagent.

 

[edwardbotha]

tnx everyone, was following thread and learned allot!!
Bought my reactor a month ago and was wondering

 

[jay24k]

Tested the effluent around midnight last night and I'll do it today. Effluent was up to 24 dkh. It does seem odd however that it takes so much co2 to keep the reactor at 6.3.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8095032#post8095032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
Tested the effluent around midnight last night and I'll do it today. Effluent was up to 24 dkh. It does seem odd however that it takes so much co2 to keep the reactor at 6.3.

The CO2 addition is exponential. Remember that a cnage of 1 in PH require a change of 10 in the quantity of ions. Do not forget to also measure the tank alkalinity and PH.

 

[jay24k]

Will do. Have to replace the battery on my ph probe in my sump. Rechargeables don't seem to last but a week while a regular 9 volt lasts 6 months.

 

[jay24k]

Checked levels today. DKH coming out reactor is 27DKH. Alk is up to 10 from 6.8 which seems to be a bit quick. I lowered the drip rate down and will see tommorrow where it goes. PH in the reactor is set at 6.3.

 

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jay24k

jay24k

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8110938#post8110938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
Checked levels today. DKH coming out reactor is 27DKH. Alk is up to 10 from 6.8 which seems to be a bit quick. I lowered the drip rate down and will see tomorrow where it goes. PH in the reactor is set at 6.3.

I will not do that if you like to lower the ALK just cut back the C02 .
You don't need to worry about the drip rate just be sure it stays the same as you first set it up.

 

[jdieck]

Tht was a lot of addition. Yes reduce the CO2 addition and increase PH of the effluent to 6.5-6.6 and effluent flow to about 60 ml/min

 

[jay24k]

I'll go ahead and bump the ph up to as well and see how that goes.

 

[jdieck]

:thumbsup:
Yes, if the reactor has demonstrated that has more than enough capacity to handle your consumption there is no reason to keep the PH that low, if you do it will just tend to lower your Tank PH and even if the media can take some abuse it will not be for long as it will sooner or later mush as it shrinks