Questions about Schuran Jetstream 1 calcium reactor

[trilinearmipmap]

Some questions about the Schuran Jetstream 1 calcium reactor:

1. Does it need a feed pump, does it come with a feed pump, or how does the intake of water from the sump into the calcium reactor work?

2. If I buy the reactor, media, and a CO2 tank and regulator/needle valve, is that all I need? I have never used a calcium reactor before.

3. I have a pinpoint pH monitor, do I just have to use this to check the effluent pH when setting up and from time to time, or do I need to constantly use a pH monitor or controller?

4. What kind of wait time before this item is in stock?

5. Which makes more sense, put the output of the calcium reactor into my skimmer compartment to blow off the CO2, or put the output of the reactor into my refugium to use the extra CO2 to grow macros?

Thanks.

 

[zanemoseley]

5. The Schuran claims to have a 100% usage fo CO2 so therefore you shouldn't have to worry about any excess CO2.

 

[trilinearmipmap]

Bump.

Any response to questions #1 to #4?

By the way 100% CO2 usage means 100% of CO2 dissolved in the water, it is this dissolved CO2 which lowers pH and can feed macroalgaes hence my question about where to direct the output from the calcium reactor.

 

[zanemoseley]

No 100% of the CO2 is used in dissolving the media, true effluent PH is low but you're gonna find that with all reactors wether they're 1 chamber or 2. If 100% of CO2 isn't used it can lead to algae problems as you know but microalgae's also.

 

[trilinearmipmap]

Zane,

To explain the chemistry of CO2 a little bit:

When CO2 dissolves in water, it goes like this:

H2O + CO2 --> H2CO3 (carbonic acid)

H2CO3 --> H+ and HCO3-

This is how the dissolution of CO2 in water causes a lowering of pH.

When we say the effluent of a calcium reactor has a low pH, that is the exact same thing as saying the effluent of the calcium reactor has CO2 dissolved in it.

In FW plant tanks we use this CO2 dissolution to promote plant growth.

Anyway we are getting off track here, I wish Jason would answer my questions re the details of this reactor so I can order the darn thing.

 

[Jeremy B.]

1. Does it need a feed pump, does it come with a feed pump, or how does the intake of water from the sump into the calcium reactor work?

--The reactor does not come with a feed pump. The best pump to use a peristalic dosing pump that you can dial in precisely what you want as your effluent. However, that is not an economical option for most, so a powerhead or aqualifter will get you by, or you could even "T" off of your return pump.

2. If I buy the reactor, media, and a CO2 tank and regulator/needle valve, is that all I need? I have never used a calcium reactor before.

--The only other item you would need is your feed pump. Other than that you are ready to go.

3. I have a pinpoint pH monitor, do I just have to use this to check the effluent pH when setting up and from time to time, or do I need to constantly use a pH monitor or controller?

--A ph controller takes half of your "guess work" out of setting up a reactor. This ensures that you maintain a constant ph inside the Schuran of 6.3-6.4. Then you only have to adjust your effluent rate to the needs of your system. However, if you do not want to use a ph controller just use your ph monitor to keep an eye on your effluent ph. The Jet1 actually has an attatchment available to to permanently place a probe in the reactor to keep an eye on this.

4. What kind of wait time before this item is in stock?

--We will hopefully have the Schuran's back in stock in about 3 weeks.