Cliff, here's an update on your Ca reactor

Running a reactor with out a controller seems like a gamble to me. I would get a controller for sure just in case. You dont even have to put it in your reactor. Mine is monitoring the tank and is set to shut off ther solenoid when the Ph of the tank hits 7.8.
 
I say do the PH controller now. I waited a year to do mine and really if they cost $300 they would be worth every penny. The bottle lasts me twice as long as when I did bubble counting and my calcium is rock solid at 420, never moves. also the effluent drip rate is very very steady, before the controller I had to tweak it daily and now I hardly ever look at it
 
Well, I may have been able to salvage the Ca Reactor that blew apart... After some serious time consuming cuts and a little sanding, I've been able to remove the side that broke. The new side is currently being welded in place and I hope to have a new base and top on it by the weekend. :D
 
Nice! Glad to hear you were able to salvage it. How tall is this anyways? Are yuou building a 2nd chamber too?
 
Top to Bottom is 24" but the bottom 5 or so is just a stand for the pump. There won't be a 2nd chamber instead I'll build in a bubbler to raise the pH...
 
Eric, crap dude.......... your workmanship on this is top notch, I'm lovin those clean cuts and bubble free joints. I guess the 1/4 just couldn't hold...glad to hear you where able to salvage the build.

Keep on Keepin on..... Still have you in mind for a mini-ISO tank. I just have to complete the planning end. $ doesn't hurt either.
 
Thanks Shannon.

Cliff, I had a couple pin hole leaks from the rebuild but I went a head and used W.O. 40 and completely sealed everything up... I hope to do a final water test tonight and it should be finished. I put in an additional tap in the top for a gas recirc like Russ had mentioned, the only thing that's left if the pH probe when you get one. :D

-Eric
 
That sounds good, Eric. I probably will end up ordering the controller on Monday. I will make sure to get the compression fitting as well.
 
This thing is a monster. In one day(I know it has been over a week since I got it. I have been too busy to dialit in), it took my Alk from 7 to 15, Calc from ~300 to 500! And, that was with the effluent valve at about 75%. I have turned it down to little more than a drip to see what it does in the next couple of days. It takes a lot of CO2 due to the chamber size. One I got past 90 bpm, I pretty much used the controller to tune it. I has stayed at pH of 6.5, so either I have a steady hand or am lucky on the needle valve. Thanks for your work Eric. I am very pleased. Now, just to get some corals in there to use up the Ca/Alk. I bet this thing could handle 500 gallons.
 
Dude be careful with that alk spike !
I bet that size of a reactor would handle a 1500 gallon tank very easilly.
Mine is probably less than a third that size and it keeps my calcium right at 420 with no problem. BTW you should get that calcium and alk down a bit, those are some sky high numbers.
 
Absolutely! I am more concerned about the alk spike. Especially since it occurred over 24 hours. I haven't seen a calcium snowstorm yet (knock on wood), but I can't find anything on lower Alk without affecting pH. My pH is stable at 8.2 and I don't know of anything that will decrease alkalinity while not affecting pH. So, I am at a loss. Rest assured, I am keeping a close eye on the tank. Any suggestions?
 
Also, I think I had to push so much gas because it's only about half way full. I have 6 pounds of the Schuran media in there. When's the next group buy on the Gen-X media?
 
Don't quote me here but if I remember correctly, higher effluent drip rate raises alk. I seem to notice my tank runs a nice low 7-8 when the drip rate is slower and bumps up to 9-10 if I have a steady broken stream on the eff.
Search around for answers and make sure, I know of no other way to drop the alk and keep that ph at 8.2.
Chris
 
Cool. Thanks. I set the effluent drip to about 45 dpm. I also cut the CO2 back. It's holding at 6.7 pH and I think I'll leave it there for a few days and see what the Calc/Alk levels go to. The only other thing I can think of is a huge water change. The largest container I have is a 30 gallon trash can and it will take all night to get that much RO/DI. I may just go to Seadscape and buy some. I guess I will have to get home early from work and do a 25% water change if nothing's changed (which is my assumption). Until then, I will be checking it all through the night for peace of mind. Nothing seems to be distressed, so that's good. Oh well, you gotta love this hobby, hunh? Night, night Reef Central. Wherever you are...
 
Hey Cliff shoot me a PM if you are still looking for some RO. I have a full 80 gallons, and if I use all my premade saltwater on water changes this afternoon I will only need 30 if it.
 
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