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Calcium reactor questions?
- Thread starter Uel
- Start date
hi.
Most people I know only use the monitor/meter and not the controller. They also don't use the solenoid, but instead, run the reactor 24/7. It is more work, but basically you have to adjust the reactor with a pH meter until the CO2 is use efficiently, while both the alk. and Ca are in good state. When using a new Ca Rxtor medium, they may need to use the meter to fine tune the Rxtor again, but other than that, they only use it to do periodic checks on the tank pH once a while.
You don't need to have two pH probes soaking in the tank all the time. Beside they are expensive to replace. However, it is nice to know the pH anytime just by looking at the up-and-running meter. Also, some people like to use the controller/solenoid combo. it is like personal perference.
Common mistake is to give up too easy (ca rxtor is not the easiest equipment to use) because of frustration. Another one is to bubble the CO2 too fast and cause air pocket within the reactor (may stall the pump, depend on the rxtor design). Another one is to expect the parameters to be perfect as NSW, especially the Ca. However, the fact of the matter is ca rxtor is useful as a ca/alk stabilizer, not something you can use to get the Ca from 250ppm to 400ppm overnight. Again, patience is necessary, just like other thing in this hobby.
Most people I know only use the monitor/meter and not the controller. They also don't use the solenoid, but instead, run the reactor 24/7. It is more work, but basically you have to adjust the reactor with a pH meter until the CO2 is use efficiently, while both the alk. and Ca are in good state. When using a new Ca Rxtor medium, they may need to use the meter to fine tune the Rxtor again, but other than that, they only use it to do periodic checks on the tank pH once a while.
You don't need to have two pH probes soaking in the tank all the time. Beside they are expensive to replace. However, it is nice to know the pH anytime just by looking at the up-and-running meter. Also, some people like to use the controller/solenoid combo. it is like personal perference.
Common mistake is to give up too easy (ca rxtor is not the easiest equipment to use) because of frustration. Another one is to bubble the CO2 too fast and cause air pocket within the reactor (may stall the pump, depend on the rxtor design). Another one is to expect the parameters to be perfect as NSW, especially the Ca. However, the fact of the matter is ca rxtor is useful as a ca/alk stabilizer, not something you can use to get the Ca from 250ppm to 400ppm overnight. Again, patience is necessary, just like other thing in this hobby.
Hi Uel - I have had my calcium reactor running for a few months now and I am VERY happy with it. Getting it tweeked took a week or two, so everyone in my house knows that if anyone touches it - they are toast! I use a Ph monitor - and along with the digital temp monitor can keep an eye on the tank pretty easily. My Ph will normally swing from 8.0 in the morning (temp at 80) to 8.2 in the evening (temp at 82). So adjust your reactor effluent to keep those parameters. (My effluent is at Ph 6.9 - yours may have to be different.) I am running about 1 bubble per 1 1/2 seconds.
The only problem I had was making sure that the seal from the regulator to the CO2 bottle was a good seal. I thought it was tight, but lost 5 lbs of CO2 in a week through leakage. Make sure you use the "tape" that is made for CO2 gas connections and test it the connection with a tiny amount of liquid soap for any bubbles. 5 lbs should last about 6 months for a 180 -
Good luck with your reactor - people thought I was crazy for getting one for my 72 gallon tank - but I was tired of dripping kalk and adding supplements and swings in Alk and Ca levels. Sometimes the time/effort is more expensive than the $. Now I just sit back and enjoy - no additives needed.
Keep us posted on the progress!
SS
The only problem I had was making sure that the seal from the regulator to the CO2 bottle was a good seal. I thought it was tight, but lost 5 lbs of CO2 in a week through leakage. Make sure you use the "tape" that is made for CO2 gas connections and test it the connection with a tiny amount of liquid soap for any bubbles. 5 lbs should last about 6 months for a 180 -
Good luck with your reactor - people thought I was crazy for getting one for my 72 gallon tank - but I was tired of dripping kalk and adding supplements and swings in Alk and Ca levels. Sometimes the time/effort is more expensive than the $. Now I just sit back and enjoy - no additives needed.
Keep us posted on the progress!
SS
Yes, the teflon tape that is made for gas-type connections - similar to that used in water connections - but a different color. Yellow, I think. Wrap it around the threads to get a good seal. I found it at our Ace hardware store in the "gas fittings department". I couldn't get a good seal without it. This is in addition to the disk that goes inside the fitting. When I posted a few months ago about leakage from the CO2 connection, someone suggested this - AND IT WORKED.
Good Luck. 8)
SS
Good Luck. 8)
SS
hi.
I talked to the people in the welding place, and he says that if it leak, you need to either replace the disk, or tighten the he11 out of the nut to get a good seal. He says he hated it when people bring in a cylinder with tape around the connector... "very unprofession!" he said when I bring mine in like that the first time...
I guess whatever works is fine, and don't be too concern with conformity.
I talked to the people in the welding place, and he says that if it leak, you need to either replace the disk, or tighten the he11 out of the nut to get a good seal. He says he hated it when people bring in a cylinder with tape around the connector... "very unprofession!" he said when I bring mine in like that the first time...
I guess whatever works is fine, and don't be too concern with conformity.
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