Calcium Reactor Questions

[ReefCartel]

Either I sell the tubing along with the head or sell the Console and get the 1-100 rpm

 

[ReefCartel]

This isn't too bad of a deal and that's a good head... has the stainless steel rollers rather than cold rolled steel. 1-100 rpm with digital console.
Cole Parmer Masterflex Peristaltic Pump Easy Load Digital Standard Drive 7523 30 | eBay

Here's a 1-100 rpm drive...
Cole Parmer Masterflex 7520 50 Peristaltic Pump Console Drive 331 | eBay

And here is the same easy load head as above...
Masterflex L s Easy Load 7518 10 Pump Head | eBay

Can you help me find a head for this console that does LS 17?

 

[d2mini]

I'm not familiar with that pump but I think the one I linked to would work. It uses 17 tubing.
You could call Cole-Parmer and ask. They are very helpful.

 

[Reef Fever]

sorry to hijack, but what do you guys use to measure alk in the effluent? my hanna checker maxes out at 300ppm/16.8 dkh

 

[ReefCartel]

Whoa thats already a high indication to make some adjustments yah?

 

[Reef Fever]

Whoa thats already a high indication to make some adjustments yah?

no, you want your effluent around 20-25 dkh if not more. Having your effluent come out at your tank targeted dkh is a common misconception which leads to peoples frustrations when running Cal reactors

[ KB ] Calcium Reactor Tuning

 

[ReefCartel]

oh ok idk havent got that far yet. Still trying to set up my dang pump lol

So I should test straight from the effluent line? I always had trouble keeping the alk stable "Inside" the aquarium by itself let alone the effluent alk. I was going to test CaRx Alk + DT alk together in one solution but it wouldnt be a bad idea to test effluent by itself also. Quote me if im wrong but someone told me the Alk in the tank shouldnt be dependent "Entirely" by the CaRx. Right?

 

[ReefCartel]

What media do you use? 13 is actually really low might need to use the other test kit with higher value like Redsea.

 

[Reef Fever]

With a reactor you shouldn't have to dose alk, cal or mag at all. It'd be counterintuitive as that's the functionality of a reactor. You need to test your effluent by itself and DT By itself. I have coarse ARM right now. When I replace I'll probably go extra coarse

 

[ReefCartel]

What reactor do you currently use?

 

[ReefCartel]

I'm not familiar with that pump but I think the one I linked to would work. It uses 17 tubing.
You could call Cole-Parmer and ask. They are very helpful.

hey so does the Peri-pump pull from the effluent line into the tank and the feed line in the sump? Or is it reverse?

 

[d2mini]

sorry to hijack, but what do you guys use to measure alk in the effluent? my hanna checker maxes out at 300ppm/16.8 dkh

I dilute my sample by half or 25% with RO water and then multiply the Hanna results x2 or x4.

With a reactor you shouldn't have to dose alk, cal or mag at all. It'd be counterintuitive as that's the functionality of a reactor. You need to test your effluent by itself and DT By itself. I have coarse ARM right now. When I replace I'll probably go extra coarse

Exactly.
The only exception would be if you want to use Kalk to keep your pH up. CaRx has a tendency to drop the tank pH.

hey so does the Peri-pump pull from the effluent line into the tank and the feed line in the sump? Or is it reverse?

Either way. I pull from my sump and push into the reactor.
Some people find they need to do it the other way.
I may try it the other way just to see if I see any diff but so far no issues with pushing.

And as far as media, i was using coarse ARM and could not get that stuff to dissolve. I had a running thread on RC for like 3 months. Was ready to throw my LifeReef reactor in the trash.
Then I changed to Two Little Fishies REBORN media and that made all the difference.
My effluent ph stays around 6.5-6.7.
Haven't tested my effluent in a while though. That will depend on how much flow you have through the reactor. I think I'm dripping about 60-80ml into my sump... forget exact amount last i adjusted.

 

[Reef Fever]

I dilute my sample by half or 25% with RO water and then multiply the Hanna results x2 or x4.

so x2 for 50% dilute and x4 for 25% dilute?

 

[d2mini]

so x2 for 50% dilute and x4 for 25% dilute?

Correct.
If you do half tank water and half RO water, the result will be half of what it would be if it was 100% tank water.
So you need to multiply the result x2.

 

[ReefCartel]

You mean half effluent and half RO water?

 

[ReefCartel]

 

[ReefCartel]

Hey quick question. My tank has been running without the CaRx and by default my Calcium levels are at 600. Do I still set it up or wait till I stock with corals?

 

[Budman's Corals]

Id say run it..since it will keep alk steady..

 

[ReefCartel]

Thanks Budman.

 

[d2mini]

Ya, what is your alk???