Cal reactor advice

rockhead

rockhead

Well-known member
Ok so I'm new to reactor set up but when testing the effluent out of the reactor I would guess it would be heavily saturated in calcium right? It's been running for 2 weeks now and in keeping the ph at 6.45/6.55 using arm course media. Anyone that's used a reactor can you give me a few tips on what to test to insure that it's working.

Thanks


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If you ask me, you just have to be very patient with a reactor. Also, messing with a drip value is so frustrating. I ended up putting a peristaltic pump on to keep a constant drip count. The con is that pressure may build up and blow the hose off a joint. It happened to me once but I think it's worth it. Every few months, I make sure the hoses are clear.
 
Check and fine tune the bubble counter is more important (it's release the CO2 into the Cal Reactor) then tune the flow drip is second important...Tune them and test the ALK every 8 - 12 hours till reach your wanted level then stop there. The PH 6.45/6.55 is too low...
Check some You Tube Video "How to tune the Calcium Reactor" you will get more idea..

Buy a good Aquarium Water flow valve for the out put hose..
 
Last edited:
maidia said:
Check and fine tune the bubble counter is more important (it's release the CO2 into the Cal Reactor) then tune the flow drip is second important...Tune them and test the ALK every 8 - 12 hours till reach your wanted level then stop there. The PH 6.45/6.55 is too low...
Check some You Tube Video "How to tune the Calcium Reactor" you will get more idea..

Buy a good Aquarium Water flow valve for the out put hose..
Click to expand...

The 6.45/6.55 is the ph in the reactor and was instructed in order to break down the arm media it needed a ph of 6.5 so I set it up to run +-5 so the co2 didn't cycle as much. The ph in my tank is a consistent 7.99/8.03 cal holding at 430 and alk 8/9


Tom
 
rockhead said:
The 6.45/6.55 is the ph in the reactor and was instructed in order to break down the arm media it needed a ph of 6.5 so I set it up to run +-5 so the co2 didn't cycle as much. The ph in my tank is a consistent 7.99/8.03 cal holding at 430 and alk 8/9


Tom
Click to expand...

OK, I run the 2 PH probes in my tank conected to my APEX not in the reactor..Then it's fine...my PH always 7.95 - 8.10, 450 cal and 8.5 - 8.7 Alk.
 
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