Calcuim Reactor fine tuning

ReefArtist

ReefArtist

In Memoriam
Well I now have all the equipment and have finished my testing of our DIY Calcium reactor build. Today will be installation day of the reactor on my 65g SPS/LPS tank. I decided to put the reactor on the 65g first because this is my main show tank and it has all the SPSs. I will be adding the other reactor later on the 75G or 250 :D.

My question is how do you fine tune the reactor? This is based off the GEO 618 but I would think most are the same as far as getting started. The only thing left is making a small pH monitoring box but at this time I can easily make one using a small cup. So please any ideas on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Increasing CO2 decreases pH in the reactor and vise versa. Increasing flow in to and out of the reactor raises pH in the reactor and vise versa. The lower the pH in the reactor, the greater the ppm calcium output will be.
 
Artist - I feel your pain. I've had similar issues, but am slowly figuring it out. What you have to do is fix at least one of the moving parameters. Start with a minimal flow, almost just a fast drip, then adjust the bubble count to 1 per second..etc. Write it all down and measure the results. You want the outflow to be somewhere in the 6.6 to 6.8 range. If it goes below say 6.4 then the arogaonite tends to mush up..and decompose. Then you have a mess. Be carefull not to overdose, or the calcium will precipate out, then you have calcium buildup on every pump and powerhead..and a slit of calcium on every inch of live rock. An ever worse mess. Dont ask me how I know. ;-)

A ph monitor comes in real handy. Im not sure how you can do it without one.

I have my outflow dripping into an small drip overflow box into the sump. I made it, just to hold the effluent and monitor probe.

If you find the parameters are changing too fast...increase the flow..but dont adjust the bubble count, if its not changing enough, increase the bubble count. I would keep a good flow thru the reactor at all times, just to prevent a ph drop and erosion of the medium. Write it all down...and you have something to look back on. Once you make a change do a test maybe every hour..and a reading on the monitor to see if it worked. Every tank and setup is different so the combination that works with yours is all that counts.

I have mine on a controller, so when the pH drops below 6.5 an air bubbler comes on in the overflow, and it shuts off the co2. It only has come on a few times, and its usually because the flow got pinched off somehow.

Good Luck!
 
Well I have everything hooked up and now I'm ready to start playing, I mean working. I have a pH monitor that will automatically turn my CO2 off and on at whatever level I give it. It sounds like I need my low number to be maybe 6.5, high number 6.8 my drip to start I might go with 60/min. This will be my starting point unless someone has other suggestions. Does this sound like a good starting point?

Here is a photo with everything installed:
132223DIYCReactorWeb.jpg
 
Yeah I'd say it's about 15 inches from the top. I put the container in which is around 9# and I got the C.R.M made by Gen-X.
 
Thanks wsurf4me - we really have had lots of fun with this build. I've met so many reefers other reefers and learned sooooo much - it has been great all the way around.

I keep saying we might have to come up with something else in a few months. Doesn't really matter if it's big or small, if it sharing ideas, learning and being around other reefers then it's for me.
 
OK - right now my pH is at 6.44 so everything is looking good. I made my pH effluent box out of a small plastic bottle - DIY all the way! I just measured the diameter of my pH probe and drilled a hole in the cap for it, made another hole 1/4" for the hose to fit in and cut a 1/4 inch or so slot that runs about a third of the way around the bottle for it to overflow into my sump. To much fun!

I had it running to fast at first and my numbers were climbing, so I backed it down and it is now steady at 6.44.

I have my low number at 6.4 and my high number at 6.7. I wanted to keep them between this until I get a feel for what it will do to my parameter and media first. Does that sound good for a start?
 
i got my pump today :).i should have mine running by next weekend i hope.keep us posted on you cal and alk numbers every 12-24 hours.here is mine soooooo close to being hooked up.
Picture835.jpg

Picture836.jpg
 
So you got your pump - that is really cool.

My pH is still going up and is now 6.75.

Not sure why but my tank looks - clearer. I had it on this morning and after a few hours I just looked at it and the water looked "clearer, cleaner" whatever. I hadn't said a thing to Robin and that was the first thing that was mentioned - "tank looks clearer". I can't see why adding calcium to the tank would make a difference but that is the only thing that has changed. Might be more circulation?
 
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