Help on choosing/setting up a Calcium Reactor

[Pumped]

Currently I going through about 5 gallons each of BRS Pharama grade 2 part every month. I am interested in running a calcium reactor.

Last month I tried a Geo612 reactor, 5lb Co2 tank, with electronic plants regulator and a feed pump with needle valve for effluent. I used a very fast effluent stream and a ph of 6.7 in the reactor with a small secondary chamber with additional aragonite and Mg.

My tank normally runs Ph 7.7-7.9 which I am okay with, however with the previous reactor setup I was at 7.4-7.5 and did see a few corals lose tissue. So I switched the two part back on and turned off the reactor.

Will running a much larger reactor with two large chambers and perstaltic pump alleviate ph suppression?

Thanks!

 

[Greg 45]

Contact Bill Wann at Aquarium engineering.

 

[marioensf]

Maybe you need ti have a slower release of CO2 in the reactor so the effluent does not impact much the pH of the tank if that’s the case and regulate/dial back the effluent rate as well so the second chamber can do a better job in bringing up the pH as it is intended?

 

[Pumped]

The problem was the effluent when slowed down would not stay at a consistent speed, so I used a stream which would stay consistent.

With a peristaltic pump I would not have this issue right?

Also, with a bigger reactor I would be able to meet my tank's demand with less effluent but higher alkalinity per drop?

 

[79chopperdr]

Try running the effluent into another cup with a airstone, aerating the effluent will gas off more of the CO2. It's same effect as running the second chamber. I have a cup in my sump where it overflows into the sump. Faster effluent rates will reduce clogging. IME 100 CC per min is pretty maintainable

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

A peristaltic pump will solve the slow drip problem.
Read this:
www.reef.diesyst.com

 

[marioensf]

The problem was the effluent when slowed down would not stay at a consistent speed, so I used a stream which would stay consistent.

With a peristaltic pump I would not have this issue right?

Also, with a bigger reactor I would be able to meet my tank's demand with less effluent but higher alkalinity per drop?

The peristaltic pump should fix that issue; I think that reactor should be good enough.

 

[hawaiianwargod]

I agree, utilizing a peri pump should be beneficial.

 

[Pumped]

I will get a peristaltic pump and see how this goes.

 

[Pumped]

So I got the Kamoer pump and that has helped a lot!

I switched to a CR220 Calcium reactor and will be setting up later this week SMC618 for second chamber. Probably just fill that with Reborn/Remag as well.

 

[biecacka]

Contact Bill Wann at Aquarium engineering.

His new reactors look very interesting.

Corey

 

[Pumped]

I haven't had to mess with my setup for a while now and happy with the results. It's driving my ph down still so I added CO2 scrubber which helps.

 

[hawaiianwargod]

That's great news.