Calcium reator ?'s

[ScallopKing]

fishypets - Continuation of my last line - I've also been told that the korallith is better. I might start with ARM and see the difference when I switchover for myself. Thanks.

 

[murphreef]

well im suing ARM seems fine to me but i may switch next time

anyways

the effluent constantly drips into the tank .... i think mines a bit higher then i said but its hard to count just say a very fast drip others with more sps do a stream u just know when the Ph monitor is aat 6.3-6.5 ur ok

as far as the difference between a monitor and controler....

a controller is used to plug the solenoid into.... this way u set it so that if the Ph drops below lets say 6.25 the solenoid shuts off not allowing anymore CO2 into the system helps make sure that Ph doesnt drop too low.... then it will kick back on at 6.5 or something like that....

its just another added insurance incase ur gone for a lil trip u dont wanna worry about your Ph getting too crazy on u....

 

[slavearm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7354105#post7354105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murphreef

there is a T junction in the line between the 1st and 2nd chamber where i put the probe for my Ph monitor the effluent coming out of the first chamber should be around 6.3-6.5 to maintain your calcium at the level its currently at....

What are you using the seal the probe in the tee junction? I am looking to do the same thing.

Thanks,

Slavearm

 

[rutz81]

Don't pay any attention to my thermometer reading 85.5, the probe was out of the tank. It scares me too sometimes, before I notice that is what happened.

 

[TwistedTiger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7354579#post7354579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murphreef
well im suing ARM seems fine to me but i may switch next time

If ARM is working fine for you why are you "suing" them?:lol: :eek2: :lol: :lol: :eek2:

 

[ScallopKing]

murphreef - Alright. I bit the bullet today and got the MRC CR-2, well the entire package really. I got the same setup as you (but got the controller instead), also went to vividaquariums per you advice. I can't wait to get this going now. I might have to have you come over and help me out with this when I get it!!

rutz81 - Thanks for the pic. Looks like a tight spot there!

Thanks everyone for your help. This is a very imformative thread on ca reactors now.

 

[UFreefer]

I've read that alot of people have problems with ARM turning to mush and was wondering if people using Korrallith have the same problem?

Anyone using the schuran knock off media? I've read that some people say that its full of PO4 while others say it has barely any. Just looking for more opinions as i am about to buy media for my first ca reactor.

 

[fishypets]

Phil,

I had many "melt down" using ARM. Have not experienced it yet with Korallith only great growth and good P.E.

 

[ScallopKing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7357624#post7357624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishypets
Phil,

I had many "melt down" using ARM. Have not experienced it yet with Korallith only great growth and good P.E.

How bad are these meltdowns fishypets? I just ordered ARM.

 

[fishypets]

I only had two and it melted about 2.5 inches both times. Not sure if the ARM dissolves in lower ph or not but my Korallith has not melted one in about thee months of use.

 

[ScallopKing]

Another question, if the effluent is 6.5 out of the reactor - how much does the ph drop in the main tank as a cause of this drip now?

 

[fishypets]

I use a kalk reactor for my top off water so my ph is always above 8

 

[UFreefer]

Do most people who have Ca reactors also find that they have to still drip kalk? If so it kinda seems to defeat the purpose of not having to dose. I was hoping to be able to just run the reactor and have my RO/DI run on a float valve for a topoff

 

[TwistedTiger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7357868#post7357868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishypets
I only had two and it melted about 2.5 inches both times. Not sure if the ARM dissolves in lower ph or not but my Korallith has not melted one in about thee months of use.

Their website claims that it dissolves at a higher ph

A.R.M.â„¢ has the highest solubility of any reactor media available (metastable at 8.2)

So if someone were running the reactor ph around 6.5 which I have seen posted you could definitely have a melt down. I'm about to start using ARM myself and will start the ph around 8 measure the alk/calc of my effluent and adjust from there. Once I find the right ph to produce the effluent I need I'll set my controller. It wouldn't suprise me if many of these ARM meltdowns were caused by lower than recommended reactor ph. Hopefully I can produce the effluent I need at a higher ph, weel see. Do you know what the ph was in your reactor when you had an ARM meltdown?

 

[ScallopKing]

Hi everyone, I'm just catching up on this again. Am I going to have to drip kalk, say it isn't so? and won't that overshoot the CA and ALK from the reactor? I already have low ALK readings from CO2 buildup now in my house, runs around 8.05 to 8.17 daily now...that's with the windows open all the time.

How many of you have to do both and why? Thanks!!

 

[Mike O'Brien]

You don't nesicarily need to drip kalk. You just need to degas the effluent good before it goes back into the tank. Mine goes through more CC before dripping into the area where the skimmer and return is

 

[perpetual98]

I just ordered a Coralife Calcium Reactor today along with a CO2 regulator. I'm not in a terrible hurry to get it hooked up, so any advice you guys could lend me would be great! What media should I go with? I've heard some bad things about ARM, but I haven't done a lot of research on media. I'm also not sure when I'll get a pH controller for it. I need to track down a CO2 tank locally too.

Thanks!
Eric

 

[rutz81]

I know I may get bashed for this, but, I don't use a PH controller and also don't drip kalk. I haven't really experienced any issues.

 

[Mike O'Brien]

why would you get bashed, plenty of people don't use a controller. I wouldn't want to do it without at least a ph monitor though.

 

[ScallopKing]

Mike O'Brien - What is CC and where do you have it placed...the sump or another reactor? Is there any other way to degas? I am worried a tiny bit about this.

Also, for anyone - where is a good place to drop the effluent return too? I'm just thinking into my return area away from the potential kalk drip (if needed).

Thanks again. Sean.