Ca Reactor help needed....

[Semuvan]

I feel like a noob again. I've kept FOWLR, and FO tanks to great success. I now started a 40 Gallon SPS / Clam only tank. For the setup its a 40G, with 400w 20k MH, 1/8th Aqua Medic chiller keeping it around 26 deg Celcius, Euro-reef skimmer, and a KNOP C Ca reactor, also has 50lbs of LR. my numbers seem to be steady now with NO livestock yet at Nitrates=10, Nitrites=0, Ammonia=0, pH=8.1, Ca=450, Specific Gravity=1.024, Phosphates=.1, Alkalinity=2.9, Magnesium=1250, Iodine=.050, kH=161.1. :evil:

Basically my question is....How do I set the Milwakee pH Controller up? I have my bubbles at 30 per minute on the counter, and I'm releasing 1 or 2 bubbles a second to keep the effluent at 6.4ish. It has a dial that goes from 6.x to 9.x and my regulator on the Co2 bottle has a selonoid. Please explain how the controller is supposed to work...If the Effluent comes out at 6.4ish it would seem to me that it would never come on if I wanted my pH to be 8.1+. Please help, getting frustrated!

 

[mr_X]

the probe measures the ph of the inside of the reactor, not your tank water. a ph MONITOR would be used to monitor the tank ph. the ph has to be within certain limits(see the reactor media requirements) in order to melt.
are you planning on running the reactor soon?
with your calcium at 450 from just your salt mix, you're not going to need that reactor for a long time.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002- ... /index.php

 

[Semuvan]

are you planning on running the reactor soon?
with your calcium at 450 from just your salt mix, you're not going to need that reactor for a long time.

Yes. As soon as I'm sure I have all the equipment working in the sump. Building holders etc. Reason my Ca is high, I've been dosing "A" & "B" from Ionic and its getting old, especially since I don't even have my first SPS or Clam. Tanks been running for almost 3 months, basically with a Vlaminge( I know...he'll find a new home soon), and a Goby, and under-average cleaner crew. Really appreciate your input.

 

[mr_X]

stop wasting your money dosing a tank that doesn't have a need for calcium. don't bother turning the reactor on either, until you get livestock that requires calcium. :wink:

 

[trido]

stop wasting your money dosing a tank that doesn't have a need for calcium. don't bother turning the reactor on either, until you get livestock that requires calcium. :wink:

Agreed..