Which calcium reactor?

[Nuuze]

Thanks Mark!

I currently have Co2 off so Alk levels can come down.

 

[tbone28]

I'm glad an expert chimed in for you, Mike! Don't listen to me anymore!

 

[mpoletti]

Mike. I have had some experience with ALK flux I have learned that making small adjustments is much better drastic ones. I know people who keep their tanks between 11-12 and they have wonderful tanks. I try to shoot for 10. Start slow and test daily. I use the elos test because it is the easiest to use. I sometimes test twice a day as my tank is too crowded for my coral collection.

 

[Nuuze]

No worries tbone28, all input is greatly appreciated.

Here are some instructions from GEO:

Before dialing in the reactor you will want the target values for the aquarium in place. Manually adjust these values
with the appropriate buffers. You will also want to record the values of each test to track the effect of your adjustments
during dial in. There is no set rule for BPM to gallons of water as aquarium is very different in demands and each reactor
would be tuned in to meet those needs. I recommend a starting point of 50 ml per minute (NOT DROPS) and a BMP of
30. It is better to ramp up the values than to start too high and attempt to dial down. Let the reactor run for twelve to
twenty four hours between each adjustment and test to see the results. After the initial adjustment you should see an
increase in the effluent alkalinity and a drop in pH. If the aquarium values have dropped, increase the BMP. If the aquarium
values have remained consistent or increased, allow the reactor to run as is and retest after the given time period. I
suggest an increase of BPM no more than 10 at a time. As you are testing and adjusting the BMP, you will also want to
keep track of the effluent pH, do not allow this to drop below 6.0 (depending on media used) for a long period of time.
Below 6.0 pH, the media will quickly dissolve and turn to a mushy state. Once this has happened, the flow through the
reactor is hampered and performance will greatly suffer. If you do see the effluent pH below 6.0, make adjustment to
the effluent drip rate, increasing as needed. As a general rule, the effluent alkalinity will be between 2 and 3 times that
of your aquarium alkalinity.

This is the setup portion if using a pH controller...

You will now use the controller to regulate the flow of CO2 gas into the reaction chamber. When the pH in the chamber
rises above your pre set level the controller will trigger your solenoid to open, allowing the flow of gas. Once your
target pH value is reaches the controller will close the electronic solenoid shutting off the flow of gas. You will need to
set the CO2 needle valve to allow gas to bubble through the counter with the solenoid is open. Bubbling gas too slow
and your target pH will not be reached, the solenoid will never close. Bubbling gas too fast (needle valve wide open)
will allow excessive gas to enter the reaction chamber, overpowering the effluent drip rate and stopping flow. There is
a wide range in-between too fast and too slow. Try setting the BPM around 90 as a starting point.

 

[jthao]

sup mike, I see you're going with a calcium reactor now..... your tank must be even tighter than when I saw it a year ago huh?? wow!!! even a year ago it was astonishing. you getting rid of the acls for icecaps, wanna give them to me?? hehehe. well, good luck with your geo, maybe when my tank is up, I'll come back to pick up some more frags.

 

[Nuuze]

No problem jthao, let me know.

Yeah, trying the calcium reactor route.

ACLS are on standby at the moments and trying the "new style" IceCaps halide ballasts and T5's...

 

[Nuuze]

Update:
'
So far my alk is around 9.5 dkh at this setting for 24 hours. I'm guessing 9.5 because my Elos alk kit turns green at 9 drops and bright yellow at 10.

Tank pH 7.9-8.1
BPM 12
Effluent 25ml
Reactor pH 6.85
Calcium is 425

Hopefully it will hold here.

 

[tbone28]

Glad it's hold for you now, Mike. Are you really at 12 BPM?? That CO2 tank's gonna last you 2 years at that rate!

 

[Nuuze]

Hehe! Yep, that would be awesome if my CO2 bottle lasts that long!

 

[tbone28]

You've got to lose your count with the amount of time in between bubbles!

 

[moochi]

Let me get in this mix. Maybe yall can help with my problem. I'm going to be picking up a deltec 501 for my nano tank this thursday. Any idea of how much co2 I should be pushing LOL!?!? Tank is about 30G and tank is full of SPS. So LMK something HAHA. And it is crazy of me getting a caclium reactor for me mini tank ^_- .

 

[Nuuze]

hehe! Well I'm at 12 BPM/25 effluent for a 79G stuffed wall to wall with SPS.

So far my Alk is 9'ish. CO2 should last you a long time too!

 

[tbone28]

Hey Mike, my CO2 tank won't last as long...I had to downgrade my tank to a 5#... you know why??? my stoopid sump AGAIN!! lol I made it so big, I had trouble fitting a Ca reactor, CO2 tank, and my new skimmer

Wifey said "there better not be any overflows", so I made sure my sump was big enough :lol: :lol:

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11953804#post11953804 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moochi
Let me get in this mix. Maybe yall can help with my problem. I'm going to be picking up a deltec 501 for my nano tank this thursday. Any idea of how much co2 I should be pushing LOL!?!? Tank is about 30G and tank is full of SPS. So LMK something HAHA. And it is crazy of me getting a caclium reactor for me mini tank ^_- .

I don't know too much about Deltec Ca reactors. Don't they use different media? Personally, i'd do 2 part on a 30g tank

 

[Nuuze]

I saw your sump tbone, it looks as big as my tank.

moochi, since you already have your reactor inbound start slow. Maybe on a weekend so you can keep a close eye on the Alk. See what the instructions recommend for a Deltec. Maybe start there or slightly lower and test your water every 3-6 hours. For your size tank it will change fast. HTH.

 

[tbone28]

HaHa, Mike. I think you're right. It's 80+ gallons. 48x20x20. Unless I drain 80g during a power outage, I'm safe

Moochi, PM Jar*head. Tell him I sent ya. He runs a deltec reactor, and can get you dialed in. He's a nice guy