calcium reactor alk tuning help needed

[David Cher]

hi folks i need some help in alk tuning in my CR. i have been using the method which is consistent flow effluent but every night when i measure the alk on the hanna checker , it is either too high or too low . never was able to get one day stable as the previous . is this normal or how to fix this ?

 

[Roberto CRC]

hi folks i need some help in alk tuning in my CR. i have been using the method which is consistent flow effluent but every night when i measure the alk on the hanna checker , it is either too high or too low . never was able to get one day stable as the previous . is this normal or how to fix this ?

When you say that one day the kH is high and another is low, what measures are they?

On each day do you adjust the output of the water that returns to the sump?

 

[David Cher]

like on Tuesday evening i measured it was 7.67 and the last night i measured was 7.73 . no i did not adjust the output as i want it to stay constant and no clog

 

[pirate2876]

Have you tried removing media from the reactor? Dont empty it, just keep it not as full as you need. There is a balance to amount of media to water volume.

 

[hybridazn]

Too high or too low is telling me your making too big of adjustments for your ph levels in your reactor. Make .01 adjustments daily until you get it dialed in. Also make sure your reagent hasn't expired

 

[David Cher]

Too high or too low is telling me your making too big of adjustments for your ph levels in your reactor. Make .01 adjustments daily until you get it dialed in. Also make sure your reagent hasn't expired

here is the code from apex

If pHCR > 6.90 Then ON
If pHCR < 6.80 Then OFF

do you mean to leave it as 6.8 off and 6.81 on ?

 

[hybridazn]

here is the code from apex

If pHCR > 6.90 Then ON
If pHCR < 6.80 Then OFF

do you mean to leave it as 6.8 off and 6.81 on ?

That coding is fine. What I mean is if it's still to high with that then make the on ph 6.91 and off at 6.81. Keep increasing or decreasing until you get the desired reading.

 

[Roberto CRC]

like on Tuesday evening i measured it was 7.67 and the last night i measured was 7.73 . no i did not adjust the output as i want it to stay constant and no clog

How much is the kH measure you are looking for?

When you talk about the afternoon and night, what time is it? Are the lights on or off?

To me, that variation is not so significant only are 0.06. I thought they were variations such as 8 to 10 and then 8

 

[Roberto CRC]

That coding is fine. What I mean is if it's still to high with that then make the on ph 6.91 and off at 6.81. Keep increasing or decreasing until you get the desired reading.

I think the dissolution of the average (Aragonite) is best between the ranges of 6.40 and 6.50.

My apex is like this.

If pHCaRX > 6.60 Then ON
If pHCaRX < 6.50 Then OFF

 

[Rick.45cal]

Personally I'd use an acid based titration test instead of the Hanna checker. You will get more consistent results in my experience. You also have to realize that your alkalinity is constantly changing throughout the day, it is never stable. You need to test at the same time everyday. Preferrably when your alkalinity is at it's lowest. So test an hour before lights out every night. (This will give you your alkalinity during peak consumption which is the last few hours of light and a few hours after the lights shut down). That might make this entire process a bit easier

 

[BlackLabelCorals]

Great video. Was going to avoid a calcium reactor due to my last tanks experience with clogging.

Now I'll be using one again but with this approach.

 

[sps_monger]

You are using a hobby grade test kit. There is at least a 10% +/- for human error. Don't chase numbers so hard. If your shooting for 7.75 dkh. I would be happy with a range from 7.55-7.9. You will never hit your number day in and day out with the test kits available.

 

[David Cher]

if i am trying to hit 7.5 , then it will be 6.8 to 8.2?

 

[sps_monger]

if i am trying to hit 7.5 , then it will be 6.8 to 8.2?

Just saying a small up and down swing is ok. Now if it went from 7.8 to 7.6 to 7.4 to 7.1. Then you start seeing a trend. Then readjust. With the constant flow technique, you will lower the ph.
You can also use a different alk test. I have stopped using the Hanna checker because of the reagents going bad really fast. I use Salifert now.

 

[GoVols]

With the constant flow technique, you will lower the ph.

If you don't mind.
When using the constant flow technique.

Would a dual chamber reactor still be helpful with low ph?

Thanks, GoVols

 

[hybridazn]

If you don't mind.
When using the constant flow technique.

Would a dual chamber reactor still be helpful with low ph?

Thanks, GoVols

A dual reactor will help with keeping ph a bit higher. I run my reactor the same way as this video with a dual chamber

 

[GoVols]

A dual reactor will help with keeping ph a bit higher. I run my reactor the same way as this video with a dual chamber

Thank You!

 

[trido]

like on Tuesday evening i measured it was 7.67 and the last night i measured was 7.73 . no i did not adjust the output as i want it to stay constant and no clog

This could simply be your testing... From .67 to .73 is nothing to worry about.

 

[David Cher]

This could simply be your testing... From .67 to .73 is nothing to worry about.

At which point should I make changes ???

 

[trido]

When you see it trending one way or another. I've been at it for 12 years with SPS and only test Dkh. I dont touch the reactor just because my Dkh isnt my perfect number. As long as its steady or I dont notice it trending one way or another I leave it alone. As long as my Dkh is between 7-11 I dont panic. I try to keep my levels between 9-10 but as long as its stable I dont touch it. A slow drop or rise from one end or the other (7-11) over a month is better than jumping back and forth from 9-10 three times in a week.

Also, I only adjust my drip rate from 3/4 to full open. I dont mess to much with the bubble count as long as I dont feel I'm wasting Co2 or dont have enough. And, I have my CO2 set to come on at 6.65 and off at 6.55 so it averages 6.6.