Calcium reatcor + controller setup

[Lakeside518]

I'm considering getting a Geo #612 reactor with a CO2 Regulator Deluxe - Dual Gauge with Solenoid.

I have a new neptune aquacontroller Jr. with lab grade ph probe.

My question is:

How do i setup the controller to operate the reactor? Have it shut off on a PH drop? Run constantly and cycle off on a fall in PH?

I'm consider the Geo because i have read nothing but good things on their construction, efficency, easy of service & setup.

Thanks for any help and opinions

Kris

 

[bertoni]

I think the pH controller usually is used as a safety measure to prevent the pH from being driven too low (your second option). I guess I'd set mine to shut off at 8.0, if I were to use a Ca reactor.

 

[namdrib2]

My probe is inside the reactor to measure and maintain pH at 6.5. If your reactor doesn't have a probe port then have the effluent from the reactor discharge into a cup with the probe in it and let it overflow into your sump.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Your GEO has a probe port in the lid. Use the controler to maintain a pH of 6.7-6.8 inside the reactor. In other discussions this reading is taken at the "effluent" side of the reactor. I also use another probe to monitor the tank pH but NOT to control the reactor. For the reactor to "melt" the media inside, the pH needs to be in the 6.7 (+/-) range. The controler is generally used to keep the pH from going too low.

 

[Lakeside518]

I also have a pinpoint PH probe so i could use that to monitor the tank PH. Whats to prevent the tank PH from crashing>?

I drip a gallon of Kalk a day. I really don't have the space to run a kalk reactor and a calcium reactor. Nor would i want to. I will have to run my calcium reactor next to my stand along side the aquarium. I'm just worried about keeping my tank PH stable.

 

[Weatherman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8911342#post8911342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lakeside518
I'm just worried about keeping my tank PH stable.

When you tune your reactor, try to shoot for the slowest effluent flow rate you can while still maintaining tank water alk, and not letting your effluent pH get so low your media turns to mush.

Right now, I'm trying to re-tune my calcium reactor, because my tank water pH swings from around 7.9 at night to 8.25 during the day (pretty unusual for a bare-bottom tank). I've been running my effluent flow rate too high, and I suspect that's dumping a lot of dissolved CO2 into the tank.