Gen-X media ph?

[jiriki]

I am setting up my DIY calcium reactor and purchased 18 pounds of Gen-X media. ARM media dissolves at 6.5 to 6.7 ph from what I've read. Schuran media dissolves at 6.2? What should be the ph be for Gen-X media?

Also, it appears to the media has trace elements including magnesium. Does anyone find the need to dose mg while using this media?

-Jon

 

[hollback]

You'll need to set the pH based on your tanks requirements of Alk and Ca. You will just need to test and tweak to find the proper setting. 6.4 - 6.6 might be a good starting point.

I use the Gen-X and still need to add Mag occasionally.

 

[jiriki]

Guess if the calc/alk starts streaming out.. I'll know it's dissolving. I was hoping to not hear it dissolves at 6.2 like shuran.. i'll be scratching my head for a while.

 

[RokleM]

Arm small grain is 6.7-7.7, the larger can go lower. I run mine about 6.55 currently (mixture of GenX and Arm large).

I run Zeomag, so no I don't dose mag.

 

[jiriki]

I have some zeomag but I may hold off putting that in. It's half powder half chips.

 

[MarineFishGuy]

I run my first chamber at 6.7.
I use the ARM Large grain.
I had it start to turn to mush around 6.4.
The media looked "soft" compared to the second chamber.

Not being familiar with Gen-X I would probably start around 6.8 and drop it .1 at a time.
Increasing the flow through the reactor will also release more Ca and Alk into your tank (at the same pH level).

Finding the balance between pH and flow without turning your media to mush is the challenge you now face.
Take it slow and test Ca and alk daily for the first two weeks, if not more.
Keep a log of your changes so you can understand what change has what affect.
Only change one item at a time (flow or pH).
Wait 4-5 hours before testing or making another change.
It is not hard, it just takes patience and persistence.