LifeReef Calcium Reactor

ridetheducati said:
Sorry Dennis, I am trying to follow your thought process. Is the reactor working effectively or are you experimenting and trying to determine the reactors capabilities?
Click to expand...

Both? :)
I was experimenting with different settings trying to determine the most efficient settings. In the process, I seem to have found that it requires a low ph to produce enough alk to satisfy my tank's demand.
 
Also, at these settings, my effluent is only 17.5 dkh.
I've had it as high as the mid 30's but then it wasn't flowing fast enough and my tank's alk was dropping.
 
Even mid 30's is low. I've tested mine and I stopped adding reagent drops when I was in the 60's so I didn't waste it.

Call Jeff and ask him want to do. His reactor. He should have the answer.
 
d2mini said:
Both? :)
I was experimenting with different settings trying to determine the most efficient settings. In the process, I seem to have found that it requires a low ph to produce enough alk to satisfy my tank's demand.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are reaching the limits of the reactor. An extension may increase the overhead somewhat, but you should consider a second chamber. Thinking long term.
 
ridetheducati said:
Sounds like you are reaching the limits of the reactor. An extension may increase the overhead somewhat, but you should consider a second chamber. Thinking long term.
Click to expand...
I'll have to talk to jeff, but I know what he'll say about the second chamber"¦ not needed. He says on his website that he'll sell it to you if you want it, but it won't make a difference.
"Secondary Reactor Chamber...
Not really a plus in reactor performance nor CO2 reduction but if you think you want to try it can be added at any time."
:confused:

ken6217 said:
Even mid 30's is low. I've tested mine and I stopped adding reagent drops when I was in the 60's so I didn't waste it.
Click to expand...
I actually had it higher than that when I was running a pretty low effluent rate.
But during my experimentation, it seemed that a slow but very concentrated drip wasn't as effective as an almost steady stream of diluted effluent.
So it seems like the reactor is capable of a highly concentrated effluent, just not at the rate I need it. What is your effluent rate, Ken?
 
I have just set up the Life Reef LCR-1. I agree with the theory that bubble count is not a good measure to compare one system to the other. I have the CA reactor dialed in for now. Running the reactor at 6.43 PH, bubble count 40/pm and dripping about 50 ml/m of effluent. Alk is holding at 8.7, CA is at 430 and the Mag is at 1400. All the inhabitants seem happy. Ill leave it alone for a while and keep testing. FYI I am using the TLF Reborn media along with some Zeomag.
 
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If you have a scale you could weigh your tank when you start and compare it to what it is now and divide by the days the system was up.This is the most accurate method of determining your consumption.
 
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sseaner said:
I have just set up the Life Reef LCR-1. I agree with the theory that bubble count is not a good measure to compare one system to the other. I have the CA reactor dialed in for now. Running the reactor at 6.43 PH, bubble count 40/pm and dripping about 50 ml/m of effluent. Alk is holding at 8.7, CA is at 430 and the Mag is at 1400. All the inhabitants seem happy. Ill leave it alone for a while and keep testing. FYI I am using the TLF Reborn media along with some Zeomag.
Click to expand...

I do not know how much your tank consumes alk daily, but this setup sounds right on the money. Exactly what I would expect.

I still think Dennis is driving his reactor hard because it is not properly sized. Reactor stuck in 5th gear, need more horses.
 
I would try some new fine media or the Reborn. That CA reactor is rated for a 500 gallon tank so it is nowhere near its capacity. It has to be something else. I have the smaller version of what Dennis has and if I ran anywhere near that bubble count and maintained 6.4 ph I would have to really open up the effluent valve.
 
I agree. You tank is awesome but not at the SPS capacity I have seen in other tanks with similar reactors. You also do the constant water changes which should help with the alk demand. Something else is wrong. I am betting on the media. Have you tested the recirculation pump? Is it functioning correctly? Just thinking out loud.
 
Everything seems to be functioning correctly.
I'm getting a steady, consistent flow from the effluent tube.
 
Dennis - do you use GFO or any other phosphate remover? I have heard some people struggling to maintain alk when using GFO, especially when then monthly exchange is performed.
 
ridetheducati said:
Dennis - do you use GFO or any other phosphate remover? I have heard some people struggling to maintain alk when using GFO, especially when then monthly exchange is performed.
Click to expand...
I used to run gfo when i was dosing two-part and i was getting crazy precipitation in the gfo reactor, turning the gfo to stone. Coincidentally, i decided to stop using gfo all together around the time i switched to the calcium reactor. Now the only thing I run is some ROX Carbon.

ken6217 said:
Dennis, did you change to the finer media? I really think you should try this if you haven't.
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Not yet. I'm waiting for BRS to get more ROX carbon in so i can order it together with the Reborn media.
 
Is that the same as the ARM fine media?

Anyway, if this doesn't work out, ask Jeff why his calcium reactor doesn't come close to his advertised rating??
Ken
 
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