Calcium reactor sizing

[Milldozer]

Good morning, I am trying to figure out if I need to upgrade my calcium reactor or not. I've been trying to figure out what the different sizes of calcium reactor actually do. Does it just hold more media or does the reactor size some how increase the effluent alk?
With a bigger reactor can I slow the drip rate to hopefully bring up my oh a little bit?

Thanks

 

[jda]

All that a larger reactor does is to allow you to go longer without changing media. There are some other restrictions like tube size and stuff, but for the most part, the smallest reactor can make the largest tank go if you want to replace the media every few days... and the largest reactor can meet the demand of a small tank for years. ...anyway, you get the point.

If you are having pH issues or a reasonably sized reactor is not keeping up, then the tune is probably not good. This can especially happen if you are using a pH controller and probe since they are not efficient.

 

[Milldozer]

The problem I was having was that I needed to have almost a stream of effluent instead of a drip to keep up with demand which caused my tank ph to drop a bit.
I am using a ph probe and my apex to turn the co2 off/on. I have it set between 6.45-6.55. I also added a large second chamber to bring up the pH a bit before the effluent goes back into the tank.
Do you not recommended using a ph probe and controller?

 

[Milldozer]

Also before adding the second chamber I was not able to keep up with the tank demand.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Like jda said... tuning is key. The CO2 should never shut off. What's happening is that there is excess CO2 being added before the Appex shuts off the CO2. That translated to lower pH effluent. Instead of using the controller, adjust the bubble count so that the pH in the reactor remains stable at a desired level with the effluent flow you need. You'll have to dial in the effluent flow and bubble count, but once you get there it's easy to maintain. Then excess CO2 isn't a problem. The pH control becomes just a safety. I wish I was good at linking threads. I'd link jda's threads regarding calcium reactors. That info helped me a lot. Maybe someone else can help us out.

My reactor is way over-sized. It works great though. I use Reborn media and run pH inside the reactor @ 6.6 to 6.7. This works great. Just for additional safety and to take advantage of any CO2 saturation, I send the effluent through a Cheato fuge before it goes into the return bay of the sump. I'm not sure it helps, but I don't have pH issues and the Cheato grows really fast.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Maybe this will work. I'm not sure it's the right thread, but it might get you started.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/calcium-reactor.636936/#post-6347683

 

[ReefGeezer]

... and it works! I can link threads now. Woo Hoo!

 

[jda]

I think that using a pH probe and monitor is the worst way to run a CaRx - it is the weak link and it keeps people from learning how to tune them correctly.

Dumping co2 in large doses when a regulator turns on/off is inefficient and what can lower pH in the main tank. A second chamber should not be necessary if you have a good tune on your CaRx.

Take the time to learn how to tune it by hand and it will have way more output and the pH will be higher in your tank.

 

[Milldozer]

I think that using a pH probe and monitor is the worst way to run a CaRx - it is the weak link and it keeps people from learning how to tune them correctly.

Dumping co2 in large doses when a regulator turns on/off is inefficient and what can lower pH in the main tank. A second chamber should not be necessary if you have a good tune on your CaRx.

Take the time to learn how to tune it by hand and it will have way more output and the pH will be higher in your tank.

Thanks!
I guess I didn't fully understand the point of the pH probe and the solenoid. I am in the process now of making my ph stable in the reactor. It's actually alot easier than I thought it would be but does take time for everything to settle.

I'm assuming a bigger reactor is not needed now hopefully. I will just have to refill the chamber more frequently.

 

[ca1ore]

I guess I mostly agree …. and partly disagree. I increased the capacity of the rubble chamber on my CaRx because as the media melted inside the prior smaller chamber I was having to goose the CO2 more regularly than I preferred. Increasing the size means a bit less intervention and as others have noted reduces the intervals between media. There is no task I like LESS than cleaning out my CarX and replenishing media.

I do have a pH probe on mine, but I do not use it to iterate the reactor ... rather it's a failsafe that alerts me if the levels go way up ... which usually means I have failed to notice that the CO2 cylinder has run out LOL.

 

[Milldozer]

I think that using a pH probe and monitor is the worst way to run a CaRx - it is the weak link and it keeps people from learning how to tune them correctly.

Dumping co2 in large doses when a regulator turns on/off is inefficient and what can lower pH in the main tank. A second chamber should not be necessary if you have a good tune on your CaRx.

Take the time to learn how to tune it by hand and it will have way more output and the pH will be higher in your tank.

Jda I read your post about the reactor you use. I have the same one but I'm trying to figure out what you mean about having c02 build up to know when your reactor isn't running efficiently. If I have a build up of c02 should I be lowering my CO2 bubble rate?

 

[Milldozer]

@jda I am trying to fine tune the reactor now that I seem to have it messed up a little bit. My reactor doesn't seem to keep up with my tank needs. I have a few questions, what should my target effluent be? To how exactly do you increase the effluent dkh? Also I have my needle valve for drip rate on the exit line. I have noticed some people say don't do that and to out it on the Inlet. Does that make a difference?