Should I get a Kalk Reactor?

[lazyreefer]

Hi Guys,

I am having a PH swing when the lights goes off. during the day the PH is around 8.2~8.25 but when the lights off I see it going down as low as 7.75~7.9. I would like to get a kalk reactor to combat this problem. i will set the kalk reactor to drip as soon as the light goes off or if the PH gets too low (using RK2).

Issues I see from this is that dripping kalk might increase my alk & calc. too much. As of now I am using bionic via litermeter.

Setting up a reverse light cycle is an option but because of the limited space I have under the stand I am not sure if I can achieve this ( how much light do you need to do a reverse light period on a sump? Can I get away with just using a 60W screw on florescent bulb? if so may be do able).

any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[fritz]

Your ph drop is due to CO2 buildup not a drop in calcium or alkalinity. You are correct in ascertaining that a kalk reactor will throw your levels off. Should you add enough to raise the low ph caused by the CO2 concentration, you'll find yourself with super high ph levels during the day and very elevated alk and calcium levels. A better bet would be to do something about the CO2 concentration as that will take care of your ph drop. Another option is to drip part 1 at night and part 2 during the day. I don't know the size of your tank or how much 2 part you use. If both are large than my dosing suggestion is not a good idea.

You can try to have your skimmer's air intake pull from outside your house. CO2 levels skyrocket inside our homes in the winter time. A fun experiment is to open all your windows in the mid winter and watch your ph jump up. Pulling fresh air into your skimmer will help combat the elevated CO2 levels from the "dark side" of photosynthesis.

 

[pecan2phat]

Hey Tae,
I run a Ca reactor on my 120g reef and this keeps the parameters perfect for me on that tank, only addition I do for that tank is Mg.

Now I also have a 180g mostly fowlr but it is tied into a 100g that is entirely LPS and initially, I could not keep the PH or akalinty up without constant dosing. I put a kalk reactor online and my PH stays between 8.21 & 8.38 which is good. I do have to spike the akalinty every couple of weeks though. I run my kalk reactor off a litermiter so it's matching my evaporation 24/7 and the PH has only gotten as high as 8.39.

 

[lazyreefer]

Your ph drop is due to CO2 buildup not a drop in calcium or alkalinity. You are correct in ascertaining that a kalk reactor will throw your levels off. Should you add enough to raise the low ph caused by the CO2 concentration, you'll find yourself with super high ph levels during the day and very elevated alk and calcium levels. A better bet would be to do something about the CO2 concentration as that will take care of your ph drop. Another option is to drip part 1 at night and part 2 during the day. I don't know the size of your tank or how much 2 part you use. If both are large than my dosing suggestion is not a good idea.

You can try to have your skimmer's air intake pull from outside your house. CO2 levels skyrocket inside our homes in the winter time. A fun experiment is to open all your windows in the mid winter and watch your ph jump up. Pulling fresh air into your skimmer will help combat the elevated CO2 levels from the "dark side" of photosynthesis.

My tank is a 180 and, in a well ventilated area. I keep the windows open all through out the winter . If the PH is low through out the day, I would also think CO2 but that is not the case.. only during night time. currently My tank has very high calc. reading - 500. and about 8 for alk. this is another reason why I am hesitant to dose kalk. Thanks for the input.

 

[lazyreefer]

Hey Tae,
I run a Ca reactor on my 120g reef and this keeps the parameters perfect for me on that tank, only addition I do for that tank is Mg.

Now I also have a 180g mostly fowlr but it is tied into a 100g that is entirely LPS and initially, I could not keep the PH or akalinty up without constant dosing. I put a kalk reactor online and my PH stays between 8.21 & 8.38 which is good. I do have to spike the akalinty every couple of weeks though. I run my kalk reactor off a litermiter so it's matching my evaporation 24/7 and the PH has only gotten as high as 8.39.

Hey how did the move go? are you at your new place now?

My tank is a mixed tank and I have a hard time keeping up with alk. i have to almost dose double the alk compared to calc. Do you have a reverse light schedule for your tanks? and which kalk reactor are you using?

Thanks!

 

[pecan2phat]

Move sucked! I ended up losing all my transferred fish a couple of weeks later due to how cold the water got the night I brought them up.
Although most experts will tell you that kalk addition will not help your alkalinity but since I added the reactor to this system, the alk needs to be supplemented but very little compared to before.
I run a small Deltec reactor (KM500) of a Litermeter and evaporate about 12 liters a day (roughly a little more then 3 gallons).
No reverse lighting here

 

[gnatp2]

I had this EXACT same issue. CO2 levels creep up overnight in the tank and the PH getting down to 7.7. I've been dosing kalk to combat the problem. You do need to be very careful about how much you dose to prevent a spike. I have the Neptune AC3, so I'm able to set it to go on for just 2 mins and 8 mins off and ONLY if the ph is below 8.1. This way I've been able to keep my ph in a 7.95 - 8.15 range from night to day. I'm guessing you can do the same thing with the RK2. I also turn my Calcium reactor off for 8 hrs during the night which has helped as well.

But like Fritz said, you should try to get your skimmer's air intake from outside if possible at first. Give that a shot as it may be the simple solution. It wasn't an option for me.

Nate

EDIT: also, read http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

 

[fritz]

If it's in a well ventilated area 24-7 then you should be ok CO2 wise. Levels will still creep up at night due to the photosynthesis, that is unavoidable in any fish tank. Your Mg level is likely off if you're dosing double alk to your calcium. If you can bring the three levels in sync it should be easier to control.