Calcium reactor in a bottle

[Patrick.S]

This question might have a very simple answer such as it would precipitate out, but here goes. I know calcium reactors work by melting coral skeletons and then dripping that solution into the tanks. Would it be possible to create that solution ahead of time and then just drip it into the tank? I like the idea of an all in one dose that contains a balanced amount of major and trace elements. I’m sure it must not be possible for some reason but am curious as to why.

 

[cpschult]

Look into the triton method or ati essentials. Both similar programs as to what you want.

 

[Flippers4pups]

This question might have a very simple answer such as it would precipitate out, but here goes. I know calcium reactors work by melting coral skeletons and then dripping that solution into the tanks. Would it be possible to create that solution ahead of time and then just drip it into the tank? I like the idea of an all in one dose that contains a balanced amount of major and trace elements. I’m sure it must not be possible for some reason but am curious as to why.

Not sure.

 

[Patrick.S]

Look into the triton method or ati essentials. Both similar programs as to what you want.

Aren’t those forms of 2 part dosing?

 

[jda]

You would need a lot of it to be like a CaRx. While the alk is around 25s for me, I have no idea about the calcium. Some people use between 50-500 mls per minute... with lots around 100mls per minute. That is around 19-20 gallons per day if I can still do math.

For example, the recipe that Dr. Holmes-Farley recommends is over 5000 dKh.

 

[Potatohead]

What you are asking for is essentially two part dosing, yes.

 

[Patrick.S]

You would need a lot of it to be like a CaRx. While the alk is around 25s for me, I have no idea about the calcium. Some people use between 50-500 mls per minute... with lots around 100mls per minute. That is around 19-20 gallons per day if I can still do math.

For example, the recipe that Dr. Holmes-Farley recommends is over 5000 dKh.

Oh I get it I think. They rely on a large volume of water flowing through at a lower concentration. Perhaps that’s why the separate elements don’t precipitate out.

 

[jda]

I think that the lower pH also keeps them from precipitating... not sure about this since I am the worst chemist on the planet. You kinda gotta go slowly with a pH in the mid 6s on the effluent.

 

[Cory]

Good question. I dont know but Randy would.

However id say why not just drip limewater which does the same thing and avoids that complexity?

 

[McDam]

Have a look at this.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/club-soda-calcium-reactor.243181/

Not quite a one bottle solution but you could premix, shake, let sit then add to tank water although it would require a lot of manual labor which essentially can be replaced by the dosing pumps. And much cheaper solution than a CaRx setup. But depends on tank demand.

 

[beaslbob]

I think it would be possible to dissolve calcium carbonate in a bottle especially FW or even a slight acid. I just seems like a lot of work with little control compared to a good two part system or kalk system.

 

[cpschult]

Aren’t those forms of 2 part dosing?

Yes, but you are asking about the other elements provided by dissolving coral. Both systems provide those as well. I’ve never read of an all in one solution like you are looking for. Kalkwasser is the closest but won’t have everything you are looking for.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This question might have a very simple answer such as it would precipitate out, but here goes. I know calcium reactors work by melting coral skeletons and then dripping that solution into the tanks. Would it be possible to create that solution ahead of time and then just drip it into the tank? I like the idea of an all in one dose that contains a balanced amount of major and trace elements. I’m sure it must not be possible for some reason but am curious as to why.

Nope. it cannot be done very effectively in fresh water, and even in seawater is is quite dilute. You'd end up boosting salinity rapidly.