Calcuim Reactor fine tuning

[ReefArtist]

Yeah that's how I'm doing it. I'm not real sure about putting things under one another though. It might just block to much light.

mflamb- so you like Gorgonians, Neospogodes or Sarcophytons. Those are going to be my first frags in the tank - besides the ones I already have. I'm testing some frag stands/rocks now that I made out of clay. If that doesn't work I'll just mount them to regular rocks.

 

[CMcNeil]

i didnt mean like floors that would block light.i meant like steps.

 

[ReefArtist]

I think I know what you mean - what I meant was after I put thing on the higher step above - it would block the light if I put things right under it. I was thinking step and levels - if you know what I mean.

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[CMcNeil]

:thumbsup:

 

[mflamb]

:rollface: So far it's been about 27 hours without leaks. The skimmer pumps are running, and the return pump is plumbed back into the skimmer section for testing. The sump flow looks like river rapids with the 3 pumps running...5800 gph running through a 125...I could fall in and drown!!!

 

[CMcNeil]

how much longer till its ready for rock?

 

[ReefArtist]

Whoohoo!!!!! How long are you going to have in test mode? I can hear the excitement in your voice - LOL.

 

[mflamb]

Tomorrow, I will partially fill the 390 and test the closed loops, and then fill it up and run the whole system. I'll run it with fresh water for a while. I pick up my RO/DI on Saturday, and I'll have my quarantine running early next week. Patience!!!

 

[CMcNeil]

any new numbers on your tank for us carol?did things settle down and get back to normal?i should be online any day now as i got the co2 tank.my buddy is supposed to get me some media today if he gets to the store.

 

[ReefArtist]

Nice! You and your corals will be happy now - you not having to dose and the corals - calcium to spare!

The numbers went right down - both. Calcium 380 maybe 400, alk was 6 which I can live with until I learn a little more. I'm now going to lower my high number by two and my lower number by two and leave it be for two or three days. Of course testing each day between - starting to get the feel for it.

 

[CMcNeil]

ok im officially online now.i have the media in the chamber and running.i did get my baseline numbers for my tank,they are
Cal=360ppm
Alk=3.8meq/L
Ph=8.2
the bubble rate is 60bpm
the effluent rate is 100ml/min

ill post new numbers tomorrow at 6pm(exactly 24 hours later)

 

[Kubi]

look'in sweet

 

[CMcNeil]

we will see how sweet im looking tomorrow

 

[ReefArtist]

Heah - those are the same numbers I started with - My alk when starting was 5 but other than that it's the same. As you see by our previous conversations, make sure you start with your pH some what higher in the reactor then I did. My calcium was excellent but the alk went through the roof. My lowest pH in the reactor was 6.45 and that was first thing in the AM - that was to low for my tank and just to quick of a change. If I was doing this over I'd start with my lowest going to 6.7 - 6.9 for the first few days. Just everyone was saying you couldn't raise the calcium using the reactor - I proved that you can you just have to start the numbers higher than I did .
My numbers today:
pH - 8.3 (Reactor- 6.87)
Calcium - 420+
Alk - 6 (steady)
Co2 Bubble rate - around 30/min
Affluent rate - 200 - 250 ml/min

Looks like you have a lot of media in the reactor - shouldn't we have like 15" or something like that? Might just be an elusion

 

[ReefArtist]

My tank has never seen calicum this high - all the dosing I did, never could get these numbers. We're liking it!

 

[CMcNeil]

i have 9 lbs in the reactor.the geo site says about 8lbs for the 6x12.

 

[ReefArtist]

I put some of my clay rocks in my tank tonight - They've been sitting in a tub full of water for over a week and the parameters were the same as I started. I'll watch everything real close for the next few days - but I'm not expecting anything. Now I'll see how long it takes before I start getting coraline algae.

 

[ReefArtist]

I put 9lbs also - I guess it was just an elusion .

 

[CMcNeil]

did you ever ask in the chem forum about what could or might happen with the clay?btw sump is 90% done

 

[ReefArtist]

No - I checked with the vendor of the clay and checked on the clay art forum. I was just about to do a search - when you asked. I tried to search last night - to many searches going on. I also what to make sure I've checked all the different parameters - I did the normal and also iron just in case. The vendor didn't see a problem but they also weren't about to say- tested and no problems.