At this point he needs to either adjust the effluent or CO2 but not both.
53 BPM is not enough, especially at 60 - 80 ml/min.
Ken
LifeReef Calcium Reactor
- Thread starter d2mini
- Start date
At this point he needs to either adjust the effluent or CO2 but not both.
53 BPM is not enough, especially at 60 - 80 ml/min.
Ken
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
Current settings, which is not maintaining levels:
CO2 = 53 bpm
Effluent = 65 ml/min
Recommended next step:
CO2 = 65 bpm
Effluent = 65 ml/min
CO2 = 53 bpm
Effluent = 65 ml/min
Recommended next step:
CO2 = 65 bpm
Effluent = 65 ml/min
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
Sorry Ken, I did not see the post he discussed the 53.
No problem. I think we should let him adjust and see how it goes.
I don't want to make it more confusing with more comments.
Once he has it set up and he looks back on it, he will see this was all pretty easy.
Ken
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
Counting bubbles can be a pain so try to get somewhere between 63 and 68.
d2mini
Premium Member
I did. I stated above (I think) that it was at 65 ml/min.
I upped my BPM which is now at around 68.
Will test again tonite!
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
He is on the right track, I am a firm believer of not touching the effluent.
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
As I mentioned to Ken, I did not see that post. Your good.
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
[QUOTEAt this point he needs to either adjust the effluent or CO2 but not both.
+1
+1
Flatlander
Premium Member
Good thread guys. I have not set my Lifereef reactor up yet and used a different one years back on my larger tanks but will be following and using this thread for reference.
Thanks
Thanks
d2mini
Premium Member
UPDATE:
In the past 12 hours my Alk has dropped from 8.34 to 8.12.
Effluent = 65 ml/min
BPM = 68
pH = 6.57
And 12 hours before that, before upping my BPM, my Alk was at 8.57.
So it seems like a consistent decrease, even after upping the BPM.
Since my pH is near the low end of the recommended range, should I up my effluent flow a little bit? I think someone mentioned earlier that the ARM media likes a bit lower pH but I'm not sure what that equates to.
In the past 12 hours my Alk has dropped from 8.34 to 8.12.
Effluent = 65 ml/min
BPM = 68
pH = 6.57
And 12 hours before that, before upping my BPM, my Alk was at 8.57.
So it seems like a consistent decrease, even after upping the BPM.
Since my pH is near the low end of the recommended range, should I up my effluent flow a little bit? I think someone mentioned earlier that the ARM media likes a bit lower pH but I'm not sure what that equates to.
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
You mean lower the effluent rate. Possibly 65 ml to 55 ml. Lowering the effluent rate will lower the reactor pH (more dwell).
Sounds like you are losing .5 dkh per 24 hrs. I think you need about 25 more bubbles. If I remember correctly, ARM begins to dissolve at a pH of 7, but dont worry about that. The bottom line is your system demands more dissolved media, whether you increase the bubbles or lower the effluent rate. Remember, only adjust one not both.
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
You are confusing him. More effluent does not equal more alk. More effluent will cause the pH to rise, therefore lessen the alk concentration. Look at it this way. What if the effluent was 200 ml/min. Do you think the alk concentration will be stronger or weaker than effluent running at 80 ml?
Too many cooks in the kitchen. Follow Ridetheducati above in blue.
If you increase the effluent at the BPM that you have been running it will NOT increase your alkalinity. It will decrease. You need to increase the CO2.
I'm surprised that your alkalinity hasn't increased. Maybe give Lifereef and ask why.
Ken
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
To clarify, if he was using a controller, more effluent does equal more alk because the controller will automatically make the adjustment to the reactor pH. Go to your kitchen sink and turn on the hot water. No matter how much water flows it will always be hot. The controller will ensure the concentration is high, you just adjust the effluent based on need.
With the manual method, the reactor pH will change, due to dilution, when adjustments are made at the effluent.
More effluent = reactor pH increases (6.3 to 6.4) less concentrated alk
Less effluent = reactor pH decreases (6.3 to 6.2) more concentrated alk
With the manual method, the reactor pH will change, due to dilution, when adjustments are made at the effluent.
More effluent = reactor pH increases (6.3 to 6.4) less concentrated alk
Less effluent = reactor pH decreases (6.3 to 6.2) more concentrated alk
