Calcium Reactors - how long does 10lbs CO2 last you?

[tworegtdi]

I’m running a 250 gallon mixed reef tank, ph is kept at 6.5 inside the reactor, dosing 25ml effluent per minute, 10lbs canister of CO2 only lasts me about 45 days, does this seem a little excessive? Want to hear your experience

 

[Chrisv.]

I never run a ca reactor on such a large system, but that seems excessive to me. I was getting 6 months at least on a 90 gallon tank and that was a 5 lb cylinder.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

That does sound excessive. I have a 100 gal display(150 gal total system) heavy sps, reactor running with over 100 CO2 bubbles per minute constantly. No ph monitor. Just by feel. 20# cylinder lasts over 1 year. Effluent is at a pretty steady stream.

 

[Chrisv.]

That does sound excessive. I have a 100 gal display(150 gal total system) heavy sps, reactor running with over 100 CO2 bubbles per minute constantly. No ph monitor. Just by feel. 20# cylinder lasts over 1 year. Effluent is at a pretty steady stream.

Beautiful results...but no pH monitor? Brave!

 

[graziano]

With the 2Kg CO2 cylinder I go on for 6 months, surely you have leakage from the pressure reducer

 

[Breadman03]

I'd check it all for leaks. I'm also under the impression that not all air tubing is CO2 safe, so I'd just order new CO2 safe tubing.

 

[graziano]

Controllerei il tutto per eventuali perdite. Ho anche l'impressione che non tutti i tubi dell'aria siano sicuri per la CO2, quindi ordinerei semplicemente nuovi tubi sicuri per la CO2.

First of all, the silicone tubes not suitable for CO2 should be discarded

 

[mtraylor]

Every tank is different, but that seems excessive to me. I have 5lb tank on heavily stocked sps mixed reef 255 gallon tank. Bubble size around 14psi 1 to 2 bubble second. Lasts about 6 to 9 months.

Great looking tank. Really like it. What kind of anemone is that on the sand?

 

[Reefvision]

As others have said, you should really check for leaks (soap bubbles) at every connection. I have 10lb co2 and get 6 months easily. I have had leaks start after everything was leak checked weeks/months later. I now check my tank daily as a routine .