calcium reactors

[Hitsnorth]

The MRC has 2 pumps.. One the cycles the water in the reactor itself and one that draws from the sump.. I have heard of ways to gravity feed your reactor to get rid of one of the pumps.

 

[NYPDFrogman]

just had a lengthy conversation with Tony from reef exotics. he gave me the whole run down on what I need. I'm going to go with the MRC
should have it next week sometime

 

[jhale]

sounds good, take some pics when you get that bad boy.

 

[MPISCIOTTI]

good choice frog man i also have a mrc ca reactor and it works just great..

 

[House of Laughter]

Froggy,

Thats what I got - the whole kit and caboodle!

ANytime you're in the neighborhood, come check it out.

House

 

[NYPDFrogman]

A calcium reactor is a device designed to maintain calcium and alkalinity levels in the aquarium to enable corals to build skeletons. Both [[SPS]] and [[LPS]] corals require an ionic balance in the water of calcium and alkanity. Corals combine these two compounds to create their intricate calcium homes. When they build their skeletons they remove these two items from saltwater and eventually after a large amount of growth, the levels of the two compounds may decrease. Low calcium and/or alkalinity will adversely affect coral growth and eventually corals may die. To maintain constant levels of calcium compounds in the reef aquarium, a calcium reactor is deployed. Please note that due to some complexity in the reactor function and design, reactors should only be used by advanced reef keepers. For small or medium sized aquariums, you can very easily maintain calcium levels with either a [[2 Part]] solution or through the addition of [[Kalkwasser]] AKA [[Lime Water]]. Calcium reactors dissolve "media" which can be a processed type of rubble from the bottom of reefs, or they can also dissolve dead coral skeletons. This is sometimes referred to as "liquifying the dead". The calcium structures in coral skeletons or "calcium reactor media" are dissolved through the addition of [[CO2]] in the form of gas from an external tank. The addition of CO2 to a contained area with a low outgoing flow volume causes the pH level of the water to drop. When the pH drops below a pH of 6.8, the media will slowly dissolve into the water column and be released into the aquarium. Adding more CO2 causes the media to dissolve faster. At a certain pH level (usually below 6.4) the media will dissolve rapidly into something like mud and will typically clog the reactor. There are several risks in running a calcium reactor:

• Possibility of a rapid change in pH in the aquarium (i.e. hours)
• Possibility of a rapid change in Alkalinity causing [[Alk Burn]] (hours to days)
• Possibility of floods due to water leaving the aquarium while passing through the reactor
• Danger when working with compressed gasses

Read More

 

[MIKE NY]

got mine from Tony many years ago also.....well worth the investment!