Contest entry/calcium reactor

[Slestak71]

I’m sure this has been thoroughly covered elsewhere but I needed a contest entry. My old setup didn’t do well with corals so I did lots of research and changed many things to create a better overall environment. One of my choices is a calcium reactor. I plan on building my own with the help of instructions I’ve read online. I also plan on using controlled chemical reaction between baking soda and citric acid to make my carbon dioxide. I just wondered from those that are experienced with calcium reactors what other sort of chemistry is required besides the reactor? Also where is a good supplier for crushed coral or shells for it? Thanks

 

[saltyhog]

I don't have any experience with calcium reactors. Interested to see some answers from the experts. Very interested in the feasibility of using the baking soda/citric acid in the place of a CO2 tank. #Reefsquad

 

[Slestak71]

Here is a link to the video I got the idea for the CO2 generator.

 

[Slestak71]

http://www.melevsreef.com/articles/dj88s-diy-calcium-reactor

And here is the link to the diy calcium reactor.

 

[KrisReef]

How large of a tank will this be serving? The hardest part of a calcium reactor is getting it dialed in to supply the animals with balanced CA & Kh..
Lots of folks purchase "Reborn" media for the reactor from any of the fine vendors who advertise on here.
Cool project, gl!

 

[Slestak71]

It will be on a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon sump.

 

[KrisReef]

It will be interesting to see how often you have to recharge your CO2 generating media on your ~100G system.

 

[Slestak71]

From what gathered as the carbon dioxide is drawn out, the suction draws more citric acid in. So depending on how heavy your flow is which shouldn’t be tremendous on a system my size, you may end up adding more citric acid monthly. Maybe every other month. The materials are super cheap and it’s a clean process. It’s going to be quite a while before I get to this point but I plan on starting a thread for my whole build. I just really like the idea of the reactor. All the nutrients needed by the coral are already in the coral skeleton or oyster/clam shells in the exact amounts that are needed. It seems like a no brainer.

 

[Sherman]

Please share your CR build thread link here if you start one.
I am following

 

[reefwiser]

Co2 yeast method is junk way to fiddling to mess with and you are always watching it. Buy a good Co2 regulator and get on with life. While it is possible the time spent is not worth the effort

 

[Slestak71]

Co2 yeast method is junk way to fiddling to mess with and you are always watching it. Buy a good Co2 regulator and get on with life. While it is possible the time spent is not worth the effort

I agree with you fully on using yeast to make CO2. Its messy and stinks and not efficient at all. The method I am using will be slowly mixing citric acid with baking soda. It’s a much cleaner method with no stink and it’s way more efficient. The reason I’m choosing this method over just buying CO2 is plain ole money. I don’t have lots to just throw around so I’m forced to seek out less expensive ways to do things. Also I enjoy DIY. The challenge brings me joy.

 

[Slestak71]

Please share your CR build thread link here if you start one.
I am following

I certainly will. I hadn’t thought of that. It will be a while though.

 

[reefwiser]

you just do not get consistent co2 output enough to do diffuser in a freshwater planted let a lone a calcium reactor

 

[Slestak71]

you just do not get consistent co2 output enough to do diffuser in a freshwater planted let a lone a calcium reactor

That will make this an interesting experiment then. One way or the other I will be sure to document it for posterity.

 

[Fishfinder]

I am in the process of building my own calcium reactor. It's almost finished. I have pics in my build thread

 

[Slestak71]

I am in the process of building my own calcium reactor. It's almost finished. I have pics in my build thread

Awesome. So do you have any input on my original question? That is, is there any additional chemistry to focus on using this method?

 

[Fishfinder]

Not that I am aware of. But an ICP is a good way to monitor trace elements for the long term

 

[reefwiser]

Problem is I did this 25 years ago.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m sure this has been thoroughly covered elsewhere but I needed a contest entry. My old setup didn’t do well with corals so I did lots of research and changed many things to create a better overall environment. One of my choices is a calcium reactor. I plan on building my own with the help of instructions I’ve read online. I also plan on using controlled chemical reaction between baking soda and citric acid to make my carbon dioxide. I just wondered from those that are experienced with calcium reactors what other sort of chemistry is required besides the reactor? Also where is a good supplier for crushed coral or shells for it? Thanks

Sounds difficult to control the CO2 production, IMO. I use that exact reaction to generate CO2 in a controlled manner in a product we are developing at work (nonreef), but I do not think it will be easy in a DIY project. You'd need a dosing pump for each of the acid and the baking soda, a closed chamber to retain the CO2 and push it into the reactor, etc. Uneven CO2 will lead to unstable alk.

That said, all a reactor needs is controlled CO2 addition, flowing seawater, and media.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Awesome. So do you have any input on my original question? That is, is there any additional chemistry to focus on using this method?

No.