CR media

[Covey]

Well after 2 year of running a reactor I made my first batch of ARM mud last week. Lost like 4" of media overnight and the pH was in the 5's.

Well I ran ARM for two years and liked but I decided to try the new course ARM this time.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=C-ARM-LG&Category_Code=cmedia

Well since changing your media is effective like changing your buffer brand or system I was wonder if anyone was using the new ARM yet?

I am hoping the course stuff is as low in phosphate as the fine ARM was.

 

[bgreenlee]

Re: CR media

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10861932#post10861932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Covey
Well after 2 year of running a reactor I made my first batch of ARM mud last week. Lost like 4" of media overnight and the pH was in the 5's.

Well I ran ARM for two years and liked but I decided to try the new course ARM this time.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=C-ARM-LG&Category_Code=cmedia

Well since changing your media is effective like changing your buffer brand or system I was wonder if anyone was using the new ARM yet?

I am hoping the course stuff is as low in phosphate as the fine ARM was.

Clayton I am currently using both, I use the large coarse media in chamber one and the fine stuff in chamber 2. I went with that set up as I like the surface area of the smaller stuff, but didn't want chamber one to make mud on me. So far so good with no noticeable phospates.

 

[matt the fiddler]

i use the GENX media, supposedly a little higher quality in terms of trace elements than the ARM, and like it MUCH better than the gravel. Plus you don't ever have to empty and refill the chamber, you just top it off... that alone makes it much more attractive.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PC-CRM&Category_Code=


i just built a pvc probe holder on the output instead of a drip cup... you will laugh when you see it clayton... looks like a pipe bomb or something

BG, The problem with using a 2nd stage that has the old gravel is that you run the newer media around a ph of 6.2-6.4, and that would seriously melt the gravel once in the second stage. remember, the skeletons have a porous structure, and I would argue more surface area for carbonic acid exchange.

plus, what is the big deal with paying $$$$$ for a second chamber. why not put a airline in the bottom of a 2 liter and fill it with media, let it peculate up to the top

 

[Coralfreak]

plus, what is the big deal with paying $$$$$ for a second chamber. why not put a airline in the bottom of a 2 liter and fill it with media, let it peculate up to the top

This can actually add more alk/calcium to the output, making the reactor more efficient.

 

[waverz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10872152#post10872152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Coralfreak
This can actually add more alk/calcium to the output, making the reactor more efficient.

This gave me an idea, i have a JJ's old D&D skimmer, it would make an excellent second chamber for my CA reactor.

 

[bgreenlee]

plus, what is the big deal with paying $$$$$ for a second chamber. why not put a airline in the bottom of a 2 liter and fill it with media, let it peculate up to the top [/B]

I kind of like the way the 2nd chamber looks compared to a 2 liter pop bottle.

Thanks for the heads up on the older style media in the 2nd chamber though. My reactor is a little oversized for my current system, so I run my ph a little higher then I will later on to avoid raising my alkalinity too much. That is probably what is keeping mine from having problems right now.

 

[matt the fiddler]

Coralfreak.. I am confused .. did you only read the first half of my post?



i really like dual chambers

 

[Coralfreak]

:lol:

Guess I read that wrong, probably should avoid posting until I actually wake up

 

[slovan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10871532#post10871532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by matt the fiddler
plus, what is the big deal with paying $$$$$ for a second chamber. why not put a airline in the bottom of a 2 liter and fill it with media, let it peculate up to the top

Can anyone actually say that having a second chamber is really beneficial? I've been looking at several highly regarded calcium reactors(H&S, Deltec, Schuran & GEO) and none of them have a second chamber as an option.

 

[Coralfreak]

It really depends on the design of the reactor, most of those are recirculating, which does the same thing, in a much more efficient manner. For the most part they help in preventing the pH drop common with Ca reactors, by using up the excess CO2.

 

[matt the fiddler]

Any time you have a chance to remove carbonic acid before dumping it in the tank, it will help your tank's PH stabalize.

you don't need one, but oh it does take some some of the edge of low ph away... especailly wiht the new higher quality media that run down at 6.3 rather than 6.7
Matt

 

[waverz]

I am running my reactor at 6.1, i am not sure on the media i have but it is huge. I am wondering if the excess CO2 is the reason for my little cyano problem.

 

[slovan]

I'm sure every little bit helps but I'm just not sure if it justifies having a second chamber(for me anyways).

I've always had a problem with low pH even when I wasn't using a calcium reactor. My pH swings anywhere from 7.6-8.0 everyday without issue, it's been this way for years.

 

[bgreenlee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10874110#post10874110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slovan
I'm sure every little bit helps but I'm just not sure if it justifies having a second chamber(for me anyways).

I've always had a problem with low pH even when I wasn't using a calcium reactor. My pH swings anywhere from 7.6-8.0 everyday without issue, it's been this way for years.

It really seems like 7.6 would inhibit development of coral skeletons.

My ph was always 8.1 or above before I got the reactor. Once it was put it, even being a dual chamber, I saw drops to around 7.7 at night. Drove me crazy, so help combat the effects of the low ph effluent, I have started dosing kalk at night to help offset the effluents effects on system ph. I now run between 8.0 at night to 8.2 right before mh's go off.

 

[slovan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10874345#post10874345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bgreenlee
It really seems like 7.6 would inhibit development of coral skeletons.

I thought it would have an effect on something but I've been able to successfully grow out many different types of corals over the years.

Sometimes I don't think there's a magic number to hit. I think as long as you're within range, you'll be fine. Would I like to have a steady pH of 8.3? Sure, but it's not possible with the house I'm in and having the AC on most of the summer.

 

[matt the fiddler]

my co2 is cranked up during the day, and not on at all at night now.. I started that this week to see if that would help balance PH, and let my reactor run a little mroe efficiently.. maybe try that?


LIek I said a second chamber of a 2 liter bottle works pretty good. just a bit harder to see your drip rate..

Matt

 

[bgreenlee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10874437#post10874437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slovan
I thought it would have an effect on something but I've been able to successfully grow out many different types of corals over the years.

Sometimes I don't think there's a magic number to hit. I think as long as you're within range, you'll be fine. Would I like to have a steady pH of 8.3? Sure, but it's not possible with the house I'm in and having the AC on most of the summer.

Certainly not questioning your tank sucess. I have seen the pictures. It just seems that at that ph you might be holding yourself back

 

[matt the fiddler]

This got me thinking..

Last night I shoved my old mini protien skimmer powerhead [with ventri] in a jug that circulates the drip from the reactor. I am goign to see if that will vent more C02


That won't cause the calcium to precipate before it gets to the tank, will it?

 

[bgreenlee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10878068#post10878068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by matt the fiddler
This got me thinking..

Last night I shoved my old mini protien skimmer powerhead [with ventri] in a jug that circulates the drip from the reactor. I am goign to see if that will vent more C02


That won't cause the calcium to precipate before it gets to the tank, will it?

It should make a difference in your effluent ph as long as the CO2 in your room is not already high. I know some people use fresh outdoor air as the intake air for their skimmers. This is suppose to help offset the ph drop caused by closed up stale house air.

 

[Covey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10871532#post10871532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by matt the fiddler
i use the GENX media, supposedly a little higher quality in terms of trace elements than the ARM,

Do you have a link to that? One of the reasons I ran the fine ARM so long is because it was suppose to be the lowest in phosphate according to the AA story.

Fine ARM vs coarse ARM I have had to lower the pH and up the drip to maintain the same alk so far so the coarse stuff doesn't as soluble.