Calcium reactor ph dropping way too slow...?

Eder · Apr 12, 2019

We have a vertex calcium reactor setup right now. When running on our old tank it was ¾ full with media. With the co2 pressure at 20 it would drop our ph inside the reactor dark. 6.60-6.50 within 1 or two mins then slowly climb up and cycle again.

I have installed it in the new tank but this time it’s full of media instead of ¾. CO2 has been running for ever and ph barely budges. I’m so baffled. Is it the increased media retaining more co2 and thus not reaching the ph probe? I feel like I’m going to exhaust our entire co2 tank overnight.

Tried troubleshooting elsewhere and can’t figure it out. The only thing I see is about 2-3mm Of air at the top of the bubble counter..... [emoji2369][emoji2357]

DarthSimon · Apr 13, 2019

I have the same CaRx. Did you calibrate the probe after the move? Also what are your tank parameters on new tank. Are numbers swinging?

Here is my level of media :

P-Dub · Apr 13, 2019

Eder said:
We have a vertex calcium reactor setup right now. When running on our old tank it was ¾ full with media. With the co2 pressure at 20 it would drop our ph inside the reactor dark. 6.60-6.50 within 1 or two mins then slowly climb up and cycle again.

I have installed it in the new tank but this time it’s full of media instead of ¾. CO2 has been running for ever and ph barely budges. I’m so baffled. Is it the increased media retaining more co2 and thus not reaching the ph probe? I feel like I’m going to exhaust our entire co2 tank overnight.

Tried troubleshooting elsewhere and can’t figure it out. The only thing I see is about 2-3mm Of air at the top of the bubble counter..... [emoji2369][emoji2357]

Verify all your co2 feed line connections are tight.

DarthSimon · Apr 13, 2019

Great point above, do you see the co2 bubbles entering chamber??

Eder · Apr 13, 2019

DarthSimon said:
I have the same CaRx. Did you calibrate the probe after the move? Also what are your tank parameters on new tank. Are numbers swinging?

Here is my level of media :

It’s a brand new probe and I did calibrate it. I would be happy to calibrate again if absolutely needed to.

My media is up to the bottom of the white lid inside the chamber.

Eder · Apr 13, 2019

P-Dub said:
Verify all your co2 feed line connections are tight.

I will play with these today and use a new line to see if this makes a difference.

ca1ore · Apr 13, 2019

Eder said:
The only thing I see is about 2-3mm Of air at the top of the bubble counter..... [emoji2369][emoji2357]

Not clear what this means. If it means that you are not seeing any bubbles of CO2 moving through the counter then that’s the problem. May need to increase the CO2 output pressure on the regulator secondary. I generally have to run mine at 25-30. Also, better to figure out what bubble rate maintains proper, stable reactor pH rather than having it go up and down.

Eder · Apr 13, 2019

ca1ore said:
Not clear what this means. If it means that you are not seeing any bubbles of CO2 moving through the counter then that’s the problem. May need to increase the CO2 output pressure on the regulator secondary. I generally have to run mine at 25-30. Also, better to figure out what bubble rate maintains proper, stable reactor pH rather than having it go up and down.

Bubbles are most certainly coming out. So for this specific reactor we need to manually fill the bubble counter with fresh RODI. There’s a tiny gap at the top where there is no water. That’s what I meant by it.

I run my calcium reactor without counting bubbles and a tiny stream coming out of effluent. Has always been good for me. I tune by raising and lowering PH to maintain alkalinity where I like it.

The other thought I have is old Co2. Is that a thing? This tank is about a year old if that. Still has plenty of juice in it.