I picked up a calcium reactor and effluent chamber for my tank since I don't wanna dose everyday. I have never messed with a calcium reactor before so I don't even know where to begin and I don't want to crash my tank. Can anyone give any hints on how to set it up? Thanks!
How to go about setting up a calcium reactor?
- Thread starter ZoaFan08
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Rukis
unregistered
Hey Jaime,
I have 2 running, 1 on each of my reef setups, and have set up 8 others. I've become quite familiar with them. Lol First thing, what all did you get? What kind of reactor, did u get CO2 tank, regulator, media, pH controller, etc.... What kind?
I have 2 running, 1 on each of my reef setups, and have set up 8 others. I've become quite familiar with them. Lol First thing, what all did you get? What kind of reactor, did u get CO2 tank, regulator, media, pH controller, etc.... What kind?
Hey Gavin,
I picked up a Precision Marine RFCa-6 with the effluent chamber, 10lb bottle, media, regulator with dual gauge electronic solenoid valve.
I did not buy a pH controller do I need one? Can I plug this into my ACJR?
Thanks for the help
I picked up a Precision Marine RFCa-6 with the effluent chamber, 10lb bottle, media, regulator with dual gauge electronic solenoid valve.
I did not buy a pH controller do I need one? Can I plug this into my ACJR?
Thanks for the help
Geo's Reef has the best instructions I have ever seen and they apply to any reactor.
http://www.geosreef.com/caReactorInstructions.pdf
I controlled mine with a Milwaukee SMS-122 pH controller for 4 years but recently switched to the ReefKeeper Lite since they are so inexpensive and the expandability is almost endless. They start at $95 from Bulk Reef or $99 directly from Digital Aquatics.
http://www.geosreef.com/caReactorInstructions.pdf
I controlled mine with a Milwaukee SMS-122 pH controller for 4 years but recently switched to the ReefKeeper Lite since they are so inexpensive and the expandability is almost endless. They start at $95 from Bulk Reef or $99 directly from Digital Aquatics.
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I would recommend using the AC Jr and get a separate monitor for your tank. My Jr controls my solenoid and pump on my reactor. Program your controller for If >6.8 Sol on, if <6.6 Sol off and set it to If >2300 Sol off if <0900 Sol on. You turn the solenoid off at night because your ph will naturally drop during the night. You set the ph so that it doesn't drop below 6.4. If it drops below 6.4, you medial will start melting.
This may be a dumb question but after looking over the geosreef directions does the pH probe go inside the reactor? Also it shows a pump running the reactor but I was planning on running it off the drain pipe, whats the recommended flow?
Do I turn the reactor off when my lights go off? I run my lights from 5pm-12am.
Do I turn the reactor off when my lights go off? I run my lights from 5pm-12am.
Some reactors have a bung that allows you to put the probe right in to the ca reactor. With the effluent chamber, you can put the probe there. My ca reactor doesn't have the bung so I built a chamber and put the probe in there.
Have the reactor run while your lights are on since that is when your ph gets highest.
Each system has different demands. If you have a large tank, you will be running more than you will with a smaller tank. I drip about 40ml of effluent per minute on my mixed 300. If you don't have a controller, then set your bubble counter to about 1 per second and measure the ph out of the effluent to make sure it is not below 6.4.
Have the reactor run while your lights are on since that is when your ph gets highest.
Each system has different demands. If you have a large tank, you will be running more than you will with a smaller tank. I drip about 40ml of effluent per minute on my mixed 300. If you don't have a controller, then set your bubble counter to about 1 per second and measure the ph out of the effluent to make sure it is not below 6.4.
The pH probe can go directly into the reactor chamber on some units if they were designed to do so or like I do which is drip the effluent into a Lee's large specimen container hanging on a sump baffle and sticking the probe into it. the container is like the one they use to catch and bag fish in at the LFS that hangs on the side of the tank. I cut a narrow strip of clear acrylic that reaches across my sump front to back and drilled a 5/8" hole in it to suspend the probe over the container.
I would not feed my reactor from the drain or overflow since it contains food and wastes and will soon foul the calcium media. You want a clean water supply like the return or a seperate small pump, I use a MJ400 powerhead with the sponge on it to keep it clean. You will also have a recirculation pump which moves water around inside the chamber so the low pH water comes into contact with the calcium media.
My reactor starts and stops automatically based on the pH in the Lee's effluent container, when the pH reaches a setpoint like 6.7 or whatever you choose the CO2 regulator solenoid shuts off but the water keeps recirculating until the pH rises to 6.9 or whatever where you feed CO2 again to lower the pH. 24/7/365 once you get the CO2 bubble count and effluent drip rate set properly.
I never shut off anything associated with water or pumping in my systems since still saltwater can go septic very quickly and cause problems. Maybe for a few minutes while feeding or doing maintenance but not overnight if it holds water like a reactor, filter, refugium or sump. The reactor is not meant to control tank pH but to add needed calcium and alkalinity.
I would not feed my reactor from the drain or overflow since it contains food and wastes and will soon foul the calcium media. You want a clean water supply like the return or a seperate small pump, I use a MJ400 powerhead with the sponge on it to keep it clean. You will also have a recirculation pump which moves water around inside the chamber so the low pH water comes into contact with the calcium media.
My reactor starts and stops automatically based on the pH in the Lee's effluent container, when the pH reaches a setpoint like 6.7 or whatever you choose the CO2 regulator solenoid shuts off but the water keeps recirculating until the pH rises to 6.9 or whatever where you feed CO2 again to lower the pH. 24/7/365 once you get the CO2 bubble count and effluent drip rate set properly.
I never shut off anything associated with water or pumping in my systems since still saltwater can go septic very quickly and cause problems. Maybe for a few minutes while feeding or doing maintenance but not overnight if it holds water like a reactor, filter, refugium or sump. The reactor is not meant to control tank pH but to add needed calcium and alkalinity.
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pookstreet
Well-Known Member
No, dummy. You stick your right thumb in the reactor and hold the probe with your left hand. Sheeshh............ :tongue:
OK here is another dumb question, the calcium reactor will lower my pH? Do I need to be adding buffer to keep my pH up?
Sorry but I am 100% new to this piece of equipment.
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No, you balance the reactor effluent drip rate to maintain the pH and calcium. It takes some time to get it right but once you do its well worth it.
One thing to remember is a reactor is not supposed to raise your calcium by itself, you need to get the calcium, alkalinity and pH adjusted correctly by other means then the reactor maintains those levels once adjusted.
One thing to remember is a reactor is not supposed to raise your calcium by itself, you need to get the calcium, alkalinity and pH adjusted correctly by other means then the reactor maintains those levels once adjusted.
So if the reactor doesn't lower the pH why do you turn the reactor off when the pH gets low? Or are you referring to the pH inside the reactor?
Yes that is what I am working on right now, I have been dosing daily to get my calcium up to 450 and right now its around 400. My Alk was around 5.8 but I now have it up to around 7. I am hoping to get my levels good and get the reactor online this weekend.
You are controlling the pH inside the reactor chamber, not your tank pH. You turn the CO2 off so it does not melt your calcium media and turn it to mush. Thats why the probe is stuck in the reactor effluent and not the display or sump. I like my probe outside the reactor so I can occasionally dip it in the sump to monitor tank pH too.
Awesome thanks for all the help and answering my questions. I guess I'll get my levels right this week and then setup the reactor this weekend.
So I should start around 50ml per minute and 30 BMP? Then I just let it sit for 24 hours and test my tank and adjust from there?
I have heard bad stories about getting calcium reactors dialed in and don't wanna nuke my tank.
Also I should put the drip near the intake of my skimmer correct?
Reef Pets
Bioprospector
That is my biggest fear, nuking the tanks...... Maybe someone in your area that has a lot of experience with reactors can help you set it up? I think I am going to ask around when I set up my reactor, trade them some coral for there time. Myself, I understand it much better if I can see how its done rather than reading about it.
I dont think its really difficult, just something new to learn.
I dont think its really difficult, just something new to learn.
I heard heard its hard and its simple. I have also heard of people nuking their tank with their reactor so I am trying to avoid that
Same here, I don't think its difficult but I don't want to experience a learning curve
I was going to ask for help I just hate bugging people. I hang out with a lot of local reef guys so maybe I'll get some pizza and bribe them with food
Reef Pets
Bioprospector
Food always works..... Its amazing what people can get us guys to do for food.
Same here, I don't think its difficult but I don't want to experience a learning curve
I was going to ask for help I just hate bugging people. I hang out with a lot of local reef guys so maybe I'll get some pizza and bribe them with food
