Calcium reactor problem.

[samksy]

Got a used calcium setup with used media (arm media - fine). Have everything setup correctly I think but after two days of testing, I don't see any cal or alk added to the tank. Could the used media no longer work? Effluent rate is at btwn 6.5 - 7.0. It's on a RK2 to controller. the co2 on at 7.0 and off at 6.5ph. Bubble are set to 1 bubble per second and drip rate are like 2 - 3 drips per second. Any thoughts?

 

[ming]

No reason why used media won't work.

Maybe there is too little media in the reactor and needs a refill.
Unless you setup the ca reactor wrong and the co2 isn't circulating in the reactor, but instead just going out the effluent.

If you think its not dosing anything, just test the alk/ca from the effluent to make sure its higher then your tank.
If its setup correctly, then normal procedure would be increase drip to increase dosage since you don't see it dosing enough.

IMO, you should use the controller for the PH as backup only, but instead you should fine tune the co2 bubbles to exactly the PH you want for more consistency in dosing. It seems like you have your co2 on until it reaches 6.5, then off until it goes to 7. If you want to rely on the controller, it should be on at 6.7 and off at 6.6 to make the dosing more consistent.

 

[pecan2phat]

Test the effluent's alk & you'll see if the reactor is working or not. Should be roughly 3x the level.

 

[samksy]

Test the effluent's alk & you'll see if the reactor is working or not. Should be roughly 3x the level.

Thanks! will try when i get home today the first thing, it's been killing me the past two days trying to figure out what's wrong.

 

[samksy]

IMO, you should use the controller for the PH as backup only, but instead you should fine tune the co2 bubbles to exactly the PH you want for more consistency in dosing. It seems like you have your co2 on until it reaches 6.5, then off until it goes to 7. If you want to rely on the controller, it should be on at 6.7 and off at 6.6 to make the dosing more consistent.

Great idea, i hate not to see the tanks ph and just the effluent ph. So do you set ur ph to shut off your co2 at 7.8, 7.9 or something? Just curious, what are you current settings. effluent rate, co2 per second and controller settings. Thanks!

 

[ming]

I don't have a problem with the PH low in my tank. My tank's PH always hovers around 8.2-8.4
My effluent and co2 bubbles is about the same as yours. about 1 bubble per sec and 2-3 drips per second

 

[samksy]

I don't have a problem with the PH low in my tank. My tank's PH always hovers around 8.2-8.4
My effluent and co2 bubbles is about the same as yours. about 1 bubble per sec and 2-3 drips per second

Wow, that's nice. My ph is norally low, so i'm using a kalk reactor to top off on top of it.

Just did a effluent alk test and alk seems to be coming out. So i am assuming i need to turn up the co2 and effluent rate. Set it at 90bpm and 4-7 drips per second, can't really count. Thanks for the help!

 

[AlexWasserman]

Generally most people don't use the reactors to boost their levels, but to maintain them. Actually, from what I have read, the reactor won't have a huge effect and alter your readings that much, but will maintain them pretty easily.

Also, I have a reactor with the probe in it, to maintain internal PH, to ensure it is always slowly working, and it runs on a Tom's aqualifter, so even if it goes nuts, so little flow is there that nothing bad can happen.

 

[PalmTree]

Check this article out.. It helped me figure out my CA reactor. It may be information that you already know. Good luck!

 

[knockout]

Hey Palm where is the article? :splitspin

 

[ming]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/faq.cfm?FID=37

 

[knockout]

great articles ming, thanks.