I have used this very reactor with out the ph controller for almost 8 years. Very easy to set up. With the controller it's as easy as pie.
Not sure if you are familiar with reactor use or this is all brand new to you but here goes
Step 1. is start testing your alk daily. In order to supplement you need to know very accurately how much alk your system really needs.
You can test calc also if you want but the great thing about a reactor is that it adds a balance mix of calc and alk. For me alk is a quicker easier test so test that.
I have four separate systems 3 on reactors and one QT that i dose manually and I test everyone of the daily. It's a pain but has become part of my daily routine. Knowing where your alk is at all times is the best way to stay on top of an sps system. And the more stable you can keep them the happier your acros will be. At least for me that is.
On to the reactor.
Step 2. Run your aqualifter and fill it up. Now depending on your uptake the next steps will vary a lot.
If you have a low uptake
Set the tube that comes out the top to drip about 1 sec maybe a tad less. This is basicaly the bleeder for excess c02. You may want to get different valves as well. those ones are'nt so great.
set the other one for about the same rate.
Step 3 turn the c02 on and let it drop to about 6.9. The media I see in there will dissolve well at 6.5-6.9. you'll want to have the bubble rate as close as you can so the controller isn't turning on and off all the time. I consider the controller as more of a fail safe.
You really want to get your bubble rate to hold the desired ph as best you can. Like I said earlier, I ran mine with out the controller and never new what the ph was in there. Once it's dialed in to your system ph isn't all that important. Respectively.
Step 4. Test your alk. and let the reactor run for about 12 hours. Test alk again.
let it run another 12 hours or so and test alk again. if it's gone up then you'll need to either turn the drip rate down or raise the ph in the reactor a little. If it's gone down you have to do the opposite.
Thats pretty much it. Test your alk daily till your results are consistent. You will have to fiddle with it for a while till you really get the hang of it but once you do it will make tons of sense and you'll have a lock on your tanks alk and calc demands , and you will have gotten in the habit of testing alk regularly.:thumb:
