Best method and schedule for calcium reactor

[Billyjack]

I’m setting up my calcium reactor and I’m looking for the best methods and schedules for feeding the reactor. The ph will be controlled via apex.

mj1200(or silmilar) or-Versa/kamor

running 24/7 at set/metered amount -or- running during lightning periods

Run off manifold 24/7

Thanks for everyone’s input!

 

[Big Smelly fish]

I alway run 24/7.

 

[TX_Punisher]

If your tank has big colonies and good uptake, you may need to run 24/7. It depends on your tanks’ needs. I shut off my kamoer at 10:30p and on again at 430a otherwise alk would rise too much.

Thats also the beauty of auto testing. I would have never known my alk rose .2-.3 overnight every night without the trident. It’s been very helpful in getting everything tuned and stable within .2 dkh swing per day.

 

[Billyjack]

I forgot to mention I also am running a trident. I am still growing my tank and have several small pieces plus and small frag tank. It’s beyond biweekly water changes being sufficient. I have been dosing 2 part while getting all the pieces together.

That was my other thought is would it be more stable to only dose during lighting

How did you run the testing schedule with the trident while setting it up? How did you dial in with the kamoer?

 

[Macdaddynick1]

I forgot to mention I also am running a trident. I am still growing my tank and have several small pieces plus and small frag tank. It’s beyond biweekly water changes being sufficient. I have been dosing 2 part while getting all the pieces together.

That was my other thought is would it be more stable to only dose during lighting

How did you run the testing schedule with the trident while setting it up? How did you dial in with the kamoer?

1. Wait until you have the demand for it, and run 24/7. Dose the effluent into the skimmer cup output, it works wonders to off-gas excess co2

2.if the reactor is GFO they will need to be pressurized, you can run it off of a Manifold and pull the effluent with a peristaltic pump. (the only issue with manifold type of setup, is when you turn off the return pump the reactor starts pulling air into the chamber. That could be annoying.) to solve this you can either a) make sure your manifold is below the water level or b) use maxijet if that’s a deal breaker)

3. To get your reactor going, set a specific flow rate via peristaltic pump and start dropping the ph little by little. Trident is going to make it easy for you to dial it in.

 

[outhouse]

24/7 mj 1200 has been running over a decade now, for feed. Easy set to trickle just above a constant drip so it valve does not get gunked up. Only change BPS to match tanks needs

 

[Billyjack]

1. Wait until you have the demand for it, and run 24/7. Dose the effluent into the skimmer cup output, it works wonders to off-gas excess co2

2.if the reactor is GFO they will need to be pressurized, you can run it off of a Manifold and pull the effluent with a peristaltic pump. (the only issue with manifold type of setup, is when you turn off the return pump the reactor starts pulling air into the chamber. That could be annoying.) to solve this you can either a) make sure your manifold is below the water level or b) use maxijet if that’s a deal breaker)

3. To get your reactor going, set a specific flow rate via peristaltic pump and start dropping the ph little by little. Trident is going to make it easy for you to dial it in.

Do you have a picture of how you have it attached to your skimmer?
Which peristaltic pump do you recommend?

 

[costaricareef]

For managing it with Apex, try this thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/calcium-reactor-control-by-neptune-trident.660576/

I have been running it like this for about a year and works great. Alk swings between 0.2 and 0.4 daily for me. I have also changed the Trident testing schedule to half the default tests, and should result in half the cost of reagents. Try this thread for that: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/f...e-tridents-test-schedule.854171/#post-9679775

Hope this helps.

 

[outhouse]

Which peristaltic pump do you recommend?

I would never use one, of your valve gets clogged which most do, the pressure builds high and something blows a part to release pressure. thats why GEO uses mj1200, no pressure, but enough for consistent flow.

pros and cons to each

 

[Bpb]

24/7. Peristaltic pump. Dual stage regulator, Ph probe control. It’ll run like a dream just test alk regularly

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Do you have a picture of how you have it attached to your skimmer?
Which peristaltic pump do you recommend?

I should probably drill a hole in a skimmer lid , but it’s simply dripping directly into the chamber. I use Masterflex, and I love it, but people use plethora of different pumps.