Calcium Reactor Expectations

watdachuck · Oct 28, 2014

This is my first time using a Calcium Reactor and though all the information I have read nothing has outlined what a reasonable time frame is for a PH reduction in the effluent. Obviously this depends on the CO2 input and the rate the effluent is set to drip back into the sump.

My current experience as I fine tune this equipment was started at a PH of 8.30 (1:00 PM) and has reduced to 7.40 (3:00 PM) and continues to fall. I do not know if this is a normal rate of reduction, too fast, too slow, or doesn't even matter as long as the final PH is maintained in the 6.50 to 7.00 range.

Any input, advice, experience?

pirate2876 · Oct 28, 2014

Get a controller for it. You'll thank me later.

IBEW41 · Oct 28, 2014

pirate2876 said:
Get a controller for it. You'll thank me later.

+1 apex preferred

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 28, 2014

The rate of pH reduction inside the reactor is unimportant.

The most important parameter is the tank alkalinity.

This may be useful:

A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors - Reefkeeping.com

and

Calcium Reactor Setup Help

zemuss · Oct 28, 2014

Randy. .. I read your first article and it states people use limewater to combat low PH. So as we know Limewater has both Calcium and Alk in it, then whats the need of a Calcium reactor? Just setup a Kalk Reactor on a schedule and add ALK and CALC this way which will also not affect PH as much as a Calcium Reactor can.

Quinn123 · Oct 28, 2014

i run my cal reactor and add lime water at night only, at night is when your ph drop much lower number.

choff · Oct 28, 2014

If you have the space, my dual chamber reactor had no impact on my tank ph.

gcrawford · Oct 28, 2014

+1 Apex controller and Co2 regulator with solenoid valve. Threads have stated to keep ph in reactor between 6.5 and 6.7. As Randy stated, keep a watch on alkalinity and adjust your drip rate to that number. The controller will keep your ph in the reactor correct so it will be a non-worry. Also, correct alkalinity levels in the tank will help keep your tank ph correct in my experience.

gcrawford · Oct 28, 2014

Forgot to mention that I run my ATO through a Kalk reactor. However, it's been months since I put any fresh kalk in it. Ph stays around 8.2 in the tank since adding the calcium reactor. I believe Randy refers to them as alkalinity reactors. Time will prove that to you as well.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 28, 2014

zemuss said:
Randy. .. I read your first article and it states people use limewater to combat low PH. So as we know Limewater has both Calcium and Alk in it, then whats the need of a Calcium reactor? Just setup a Kalk Reactor on a schedule and add ALK and CALC this way which will also not affect PH as much as a Calcium Reactor can.

If limewater (kalkwasser) can meet the need, then there's no benefit of adding a CaCO3/Co2 reactor. It is all I use.

However, even replacing all evaporated water with limewater cannot add enough calcium and alkalinity for many SPS heavy tanks, so they need other options, such as a two part or a CaCO3/CO2 reactor.

watdachuck · Oct 28, 2014

Are there any inadvertent benefits to a Calcium Reactor? Does the acidic environment inside the Reactor kill anything harmful that might pass through it?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 29, 2014

The pH (6-7) won't likely kill most bacteria, and the environment may even be conducive to certain organisms. I've heard of a number of cases of an orange growth in the exit tubing, although I've not heard it identified what it is.

watdachuck · Nov 7, 2014

The PH in the tank has been running between 7.72-7.86 with zero negative side effects that I can see. In fact it's looking much better!

What are some new guidelines to think about for PH now that I run a reactor? Assuming alk is ideal do I even need to worry?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 8, 2014

That's certainly on the low side, but if the hard corals seem fine then it should be ok.

Not too much below pH 7.7 coral skeletons can begin to very slowly dissolve.