How much is too big on a calcium reactor?

[PegasisR]

I currently have 140gal total volume which will be heavily stocked and will be upgrading to a 320gal total system volume heavily stocked. My question is how big is too big for a calcium reactor?

 

[RandyC]

No such thing. Size of the reactor really just determines how often you have to add more media.

 

[Higher Thinking]

I currently have 140gal total volume which will be heavily stocked and will be upgrading to a 320gal total system volume heavily stocked. My question is how big is too big for a calcium reactor?

No such thing. Size of the reactor really just determines how often you have to add more media.

I don't think this is exactly true. With a massive reactor, once the pH drops enough to start melting the media, you're going to be adding back elements at a fairly decent rate. Keeping the reactor at the perfect level to be melting media, but not providing excessive elements back in the tank could be tricky if you don't have much consumption. It will be a very small operating window. At least that's my experience. Not impossible, though.

You may be perfectly fine if by "heavily stocked" you are talking about corals.

 

[RandyC]

I don't think this is exactly true. With a massive reactor, once the pH drops enough to start melting the media, you're going to be adding back elements at a fairly decent rate. Keeping the reactor at the perfect level to be melting media, but not providing excessive elements back in the tank could be tricky if you don't have much consumption. It will be a very small operating window. At least that's my experience. Not impossible, though.

You may be perfectly fine if by "heavily stocked" you are talking about corals.

You would then just increase the pH of the reactor or decrease the amount of effluent dripping into the tank to lower the alkalinity of the effluent.

I've run a calcium reactor in a 25g tank before with a secondary chamber (had the equipment laying around so why not?). I was running with a pH of 7.1 and dripping at a slow 4.5ml/min.

 

[Higher Thinking]

You would then just increase the pH of the reactor or decrease the amount of effluent dripping into the tank to lower the alkalinity of the effluent.

I've run a calcium reactor in a 25g tank before with a secondary chamber (had the equipment laying around so why not?). I was running with a pH of 7.1 and dripping at a slow 4.5ml/min.

Yeah, that makes sense. It just becomes difficult managing a reactor with such a small effluent output unless your needle valve is spot on and your pump is consistent. Not to mention the effluent becoming clogged when there is very little flow. Good to hear of your success!

 

[RandyC]

Yeah, that makes sense. It just becomes difficult managing a reactor with such a small effluent output unless your needle valve is spot on and your pump is consistent. Not to mention the effluent becoming clogged when there is very little flow. Good to hear of your success!

Don't use a needle valve or a feed pump. Peristaltic pumps FTW!