My 280g Custom upgrade.....
- Thread starter SPotter
- Start date
coralreefdoc
New member
Steve. Being that you are experiencing elevated PO4 levels, Id highly recommend "curing" your CaRx media before using it to replace the exhausted, previous media !
Very few ReefKeepers, especially those who are not well advanced within the hobby, fulfill this important step. Most people arent knowledgable/aware of the fact that all CaRx media, although mostly naturally accumulated, contain elevated/high PO4 levels ...
As Sleractinias grow they assimilate PO4 within their skeletal structure(s), thus the presence of PO4s within your CaRx media(s)
Very few ReefKeepers, especially those who are not well advanced within the hobby, fulfill this important step. Most people arent knowledgable/aware of the fact that all CaRx media, although mostly naturally accumulated, contain elevated/high PO4 levels ...
As Sleractinias grow they assimilate PO4 within their skeletal structure(s), thus the presence of PO4s within your CaRx media(s)
SPotter
Active member
Thanks Dustin! I had been looking at the ReBorn and some various mg supplements for Ca reactors. I tried out the stuff the Brightwell sells but had no impact on my Mg levels.
I am using the same media Johnny and have the same problem. I have been using this from BRS but find that I have to use a lot on a daily basis to keep my mg level stable at 1300 and I would like to go a little higher with it.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/kalk-calcium-reactor-adjustment-magnesium-mix-aquarium-supplement.html
Funny you should mention this CRD, I was just reading about this today and will definitely make a note of it.
Steve do you run kalk on your tank? We all know dosing kalk helps keep the PH up and adds Calcium and ALK. I once had a major hair algae problem when I tried going with the Zeovit method. With Zeo you generally dose 2 part, anyway after realizing Zeo wasn't for me I put my Calcium reactor online but I also decided to add a kalk reactor (geo makes a really nice one). I just plumbed into my auto top off. I did this because I read somewhere I think in a Randy Holmes article (I just searched and I couldn't find it) that the kalk actually binds to the phosphates and keeps them in the water column opposed to the rock which helps because they then get removed with water changes and regular skimming. I am not sure I want to add a kalk reactor to my new tank because I found that the kalk sticks to everything and really taxes the equipment through the entire system. every pump, power head, reactor etc... It just causes huge build up and makes maintaining everything allot more labor intensive, so if I can get away without it I will. I don't know what really helped me beat the hair algae problem back then. The tank looked like a freshwater planted tank in a matter of a week. I did allot of water changes and I ripped balls of algae off the rocks but I do think the kalk reactor had allot to do with it. It's worth a try and it's another toy! The SPS will love it too although some say it's not the best for coloration.
SPotter
Active member
Hey Adam....sorry to hear about your fall man!!! Let me know if you need help....im sure youre an easy subway ride from my office.
Funny you should ask about running kalk and and the article by RHF. I just found that a couple of days ago and have been discussing it with a few people. I dont kalk and had been thinking about adding it because my my ph is always in the 7.9 to 8.1 range and was thinking that I'd like to get it higher. When I read the article I decided that I would start adding kalk. I picked up a used avast marine kalk reactor and ordered a new ato set up so I dont have any issues with ocer dosing. The ato should arrive this week and I will get it hooked up. Since my coral load is light, Im thinking about turning off the ca reactor for now and see if the kalk can handle the demand.
Another observation.....I have no algae issues in the tank. I would think that with the high levels I've had that I would have an issue with algae. I barely get any on the glass. Thoughts?
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Funny you should ask about running kalk and and the article by RHF. I just found that a couple of days ago and have been discussing it with a few people. I dont kalk and had been thinking about adding it because my my ph is always in the 7.9 to 8.1 range and was thinking that I'd like to get it higher. When I read the article I decided that I would start adding kalk. I picked up a used avast marine kalk reactor and ordered a new ato set up so I dont have any issues with ocer dosing. The ato should arrive this week and I will get it hooked up. Since my coral load is light, Im thinking about turning off the ca reactor for now and see if the kalk can handle the demand.
Another observation.....I have no algae issues in the tank. I would think that with the high levels I've had that I would have an issue with algae. I barely get any on the glass. Thoughts?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks Steve I will probably take you up on that offer sometime soon! Did you receive the Avast reactor yet? I think the Avast reactors can only drip the kalk I don't think they can connect to an ATO because the lid doesn't screw on tight. I don't think they were designed to work in a pressurized system. If i'm right you can always hook it up to a dosing pump and dose more accurately.
You can use the Avast kalk reactor with an ato setup. The ato pump pushes water down a tube to the bottom of the reactor raising the level in the reactor. This causes the saturated water to overflow through a port near the top of the reactor. You just run tubing from the port to your sump.
SPotter
Active member
Here's the ATO that I ordered....
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/rigging/Auto-Top-Off-Deluxe
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/rigging/Auto-Top-Off-Deluxe
SPotter
Active member
I hope so. I have been wanting to get a better ATO so this was a good time to do it.
danfeig
.Registered Member
Avast Reactor & ATO
Avast Reactor & ATO
Steve,
I have both the K2 Kalk Stirrer from Avast Marine and an ATO from them. Great products!
My PH has been staying between 8.2 - 8.35. When it starts to drop below 8.2, I know it's time to change my Kalk.
There are no issues in using the Kalk Stirrer with an ATO. The water in the stirrer is constantly being mixed (I have mine going 24 hours per day), mixing RO & Kalk. As it fills up, the mixed water slowly gravity falls into the sump.
- Dan
Avast Reactor & ATO
Steve,
I have both the K2 Kalk Stirrer from Avast Marine and an ATO from them. Great products!
My PH has been staying between 8.2 - 8.35. When it starts to drop below 8.2, I know it's time to change my Kalk.
There are no issues in using the Kalk Stirrer with an ATO. The water in the stirrer is constantly being mixed (I have mine going 24 hours per day), mixing RO & Kalk. As it fills up, the mixed water slowly gravity falls into the sump.
- Dan
Osteoclast
New member
Tunze makes a supurb ATO also, higher priced but has two methods for sensing water levels. Standard float serves as a back up switch or emergency switch to an electronic eye that is very accurate. I clean the eye with acetic acid or HCl every 6 months and it has worked like a champ. Additionally I dose Kalk from my 80 gallon top off reservoir. Keeps Ph in line and helps maintain pH and Alkalinity. No reactor per se, just a Kalk saturated tank with DI water from my dual Seimens unit.
SPotter
Active member
Thanks for the input Dan. I had forgotten that you added that your system.
I looked at the Tunze and was tempted to get that one but I need cut back a little on my tank spending so I went with the Avast. My wife's New Year's resolution for 2013 is for me to spend less money on and less time with the tank
Do you think she's trying to tell me something????
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
I'm with Adam on kalk. I try to stay away from it as it adds a lot more maintenance to anything the water flows through as it really is harder on equipment. If you're okay with that, then you'll be happy with it but don't think it will keep up with alk/calcium needs very long. Have you measured the effluent outside of the CR? If your not doing anything to the effluent I could see why the PH is getting on the low side.
JohnnyB in SD
New member
That's what I am using too. I use A LOT of it, and am still struggling to keep Mg up. I am going to order some of that ZeoMag for my reactor, see if it helps.
I have a KalkStirrer sitting on a shelf in my garage that I was going to post for sale. LMK if you decide you'd like to give one a try. I'd be happy to let you do so.
http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=CR-CA11000
SPotter
Active member
Low PH has always been a problem for me even before this system when I was dosing 2 part. My house is very air tight and I've tried everything. I will keep an eye on the kalk build up and go from there.
Thanks Johnny but I already picked up a used Avast Marine K1 stirrer. As soon as I get my ATO I will hook it up. I need to order new media for my ca reactor and will try the zeo mag as well. I think I will go with the TLF Reborn as well and see how that works.
