Dual chamber CA reactor question

[OGFrenchHorn]

I've been running the Vertex dual chamber reactor for a few months now. Recently I noticed that it doesn't keep my alk and CA levels. They drop to 6dkh and 390ppm. When I was running a single chamber reactor I didn't have any issues. I did fill the second chamber with ca media. Could that be buffering the effluent to the point that it interferes with keeping the levels up?

I did take most of the media out and put a little in the top chamber. I'll be testing everyday to see if that helps.

If your running a dual chamber reactor, what media do you use in the second chamber?

Here's how I have it set up now

 

[gcarroll]

What is the PH in the reactor? How about the output? What brand of media?

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

What is the PH in the reactor? How about the output? What brand of media?

I've lowered the PH to 6.6i haven't tested the output because I need to go get a test kit for it. I'm using ARM coarse media with zeo mag.

 

[gcarroll]

How many drops per second? how big is the tank?

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

How many drops per second? how big is the tank?

i got the flow meter dialed at 50mm per minute. The tank is only 45G. I do have a lot of sps but this reactor is rated for a much bigger tank.

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

I accidentally grabbed a fresh water ph kit so I have to go back. My alk is at 10dkh in the tank for a second day in a row and the effluent is at 20dkh.

 

[gcarroll]

Well, sounds like it's working fine now. might even want to dial the ph in the reactor to 6.7

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

Well, sounds like it's working fine now. might even want to dial the ph in the reactor to 6.7

I dialed it back. does the media in the second chamber affect ALK? I thought in just raised the PH of the effluent.

 

[gcarroll]

Yes it will add alk

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

Maybe your tank using up more then what your calcium reactor is dialin to ?

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

Have you test your mag yet? Your mag could be high arm calcium media has extra mag in it therefore the zeomag isnt really needed. But test to make sure

 

[gcarroll]

Have you test your mag yet? Your mag could be high arm calcium media has extra mag in it therefore the zeomag isnt really needed. But test to make sure

Never heard that one. Isn't ARM just aragonite? Did they change their product? I have an ARM four years and always added supplemental magnesium.

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

Yea it says it on the box that its higher in mag . But test ur mag to see where its at

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

Does yours say high mag on the label like this if not its fine

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

Maybe your tank using up more then what your calcium reactor is dialin to ?

That could be. I left the house way early this morning so I didn't get to check my alk. I've never had it drop this much before and I've been running a ca Rx for about 5 years but I recently started running a dual chamber reactor 5 months ago.

Have you test your mag yet? Your mag could be high arm calcium media has extra mag in it therefore the zeomag isnt really needed. But test to make sure

I keep my mag above 1500 ppm. I didn't even know that ARM had a high mag formula. I'll have to check the container.

Does yours say high mag on the label like this if not its fine

I'll have to check when I get home

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

I used one of each. I didn't even notice

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

I used one of each. I didn't even notice

Im sure its just your tank using up more because their growing