Calcium reactor help

[Craig's Reef]

Hi sorry to bother you guys but I am very new to calcium reactors and would appreciate very much if you could post some links to help me understand these things.
I have the pacific sun lbr150 setup at the moment been tinkering with it very little.
I setup the ph at 6.5 and the bubble count is at 1 per 2 seconds as and when the control comes on
I have the d-d media in it and alk is at 7.6 not what I am waiting
The calcium and mag are quite high
Was thinking about changing the media out for something else but thought
You guys are the best to consult
Thanks very much guys

 

[vetteguy53081]

Try to get reborn and remag media. If not, seachem rock is also good
Non accurate ph within range is good as long as it is stable
I had high alk in mine and reduced bubble count slightly

 

[SPR1968]

Hi sorry to bother you guys but I am very new to calcium reactors and would appreciate very much if you could post some links to help me understand these things.
I have the pacific sun lbr150 setup at the moment been tinkering with it very little.
I setup the ph at 6.5 and the bubble count is at 1 per 2 seconds as and when the control comes on
I have the d-d media in it and alk is at 7.6 not what I am waiting
The calcium and mag are quite high
Was thinking about changing the media out for something else but thought
You guys are the best to consult
Thanks very much guys

What media are you using from DD, if it’s rowalith W you will be fine as it also contains magnesium and it’s basically old coral skeletons so in theory breaks down on a similar basis to coral uptake.

I use it in my large system and only rarely test for calcium and magnesium as there always in line, I keep alkalinity at around 8.5

You might needs to fine tune the reactor and also double check the alkalinity test reading.

 

[Paulandreti]

Hello, pretty much aligned with this 2 answers, for how long have you had it running?

did you add any additional magnesium specific media? I´ve always had calcium reactors in y system and it will take about a couple weeks of constant testing and tunning, if it´s already been longer than that I would then, recommend consider a different type of media.

 

[14 foot reef]

Give these a watch, may help you dial this unit in better.

 

[Craig's Reef]

Hello, pretty much aligned with this 2 answers, for how long have you had it running?

did you add any additional magnesium specific media? I´ve always had calcium reactors in y system and it will take about a couple weeks of constant testing and tunning, if it´s already been longer than that I would then, recommend consider a different type of media.

Been running for 4-5 weeks

Hello, pretty much aligned with this 2 answers, for how long have you had it running?

did you add any additional magnesium specific media? I´ve always had calcium reactors in y system and it will take about a couple weeks of constant testing and tunning, if it´s already been longer than that I would then, recommend consider a different type of media.

It's been running 4-5 weeks now. Not added any additional media for mag . Just the d-d rowa lith W
Just can't seem to get the alk above 7.6

 

[Craig's Reef]

What media are you using from DD, if it’s rowalith W you will be fine as it also contains magnesium and it’s basically old coral skeletons so in theory breaks down on a similar basis to coral uptake.

I use it in my large system and only rarely test for calcium and magnesium as there always in line, I keep alkalinity at around 8.5

You might needs to fine tune the reactor and also double check the alkalinity test reading.

Will recheck
I'm using the hanna checker

 

[ivanotas]

Can I hijack this thread with a question as well?
I am pretty new to Calcium reactor. Just wanna check if its achievable to run a Calcium reactor and have the KH and CAL tune in? My DKH is 8 and Cal is 470.
Do I drop the dose to have the CAL in spec? And later top up the DKH by additional dosing of KH buffer?

 

[outhouse]

alk is at 7.6 not what I am waiting

dont overthink it, you can slow effluent down, which will raise alk levels, or raise bubble count a slight hair.

I personally only have effluent just enough so that it does not drip and its just a slight trickle, and I never change that ever. I only make changes with bubble count adjustments.

If you have an ATO you should put a kalk reactor inline with it. and always use a second reactor chamber on Ca reactor to help absorb and adjust ph levels

 

[SPR1968]

Can I hijack this thread with a question as well?
I am pretty new to Calcium reactor. Just wanna check if its achievable to run a Calcium reactor and have the KH and CAL tune in? My DKH is 8 and Cal is 470.
Do I drop the dose to have the CAL in spec? And later top up the DKH by additional dosing of KH buffer?

You could do as you suggest yes, or you can leave it as it is your fine.

You don’t need to chase the numbers, just stay within basic guidelines

 

[Craig's Reef]

dont overthink it, you can slow effluent down, which will raise alk levels, or raise bubble count a slight hair.

I personally only have effluent just enough so that it does not drip and its just a slight trickle, and I never change that ever. I only make changes with bubble count adjustments.

If you have an ATO you should put a kalk reactor inline with it. and always use a second reactor chamber on Ca reactor to help absorb and adjust ph levels

Ye I have the calcium reactor with a secondary reactor chamber

 

[ivanotas]

You could do as you suggest yes, or you can leave it as it is your fine.

You don’t need to chase the numbers, just stay within basic guidelines

Thanks!

 

[Craig's Reef]

Thanks for all your help guys it is very much appreciated