OVERSIZED CA REACTOR HELP PLEASE

Tanggirl12 · Dec 6, 2015

can I use an oversized reactor on my tank by just running a slower drip rate than usual?
I have a 225 sps dominant tank and dose approx 200 ml of Alk and Ca daily of Randy's recipe. I've got my eye on a good deal for a used set up but it's over rated. Reef Octopus 5000 with a bubble blaster pump. Holds 20-24 pounds of media. It will be run on a ph controller.

FarmerTy · Dec 7, 2015

Just run it with less media. You don't have to put 20-24 lbs of media in it.

Tanggirl12 · Dec 7, 2015

FarmerTy said:
Just run it with less media. You don't have to put 20-24 lbs of media in it.

Won't the effluent have too much CO2? Higher water to media ratio?

DLuce510 · Dec 7, 2015

Less media or higher ph in the reactor or both!

FarmerTy · Dec 7, 2015

When running a CaRX, you have to adjust the CO2 to match your effluent rate and tank consumption. It is not a set rate designated by the CaRX.

Either way, more or less media used, you'll have to adjust your CO2 input to set your desired pH in the reactor.

Tanggirl12 · Dec 7, 2015

FarmerTy said:
When running a CaRX, you have to adjust the CO2 to match your effluent rate and tank consumption. It is not a set rate designated by the CaRX.

Either way, more or less media used, you'll have to adjust your CO2 input to set your desired pH in the reactor.

I understand that, more water will take more CO2 to get desired ph. I'm going to try it full and see if I can cut the drip rate enough for it to work, if not I'll just get another reactor. Thanks for the suggestions. I found plenty of info on an undersized reactor but nothing about running an oversized one.

FarmerTy · Dec 7, 2015

I've run 4 reactors, of all different sizes. My preference is to not cut the effluent rate too slow... you tend to get more clogs that way with precipitation at the the of the hose.

I ran an oversized Deltec (rated for 600 gallons) on my 215 gallon. I just put in half the media and ran the same pH at the 6.7 pH I normally run and basically same effluent rate. Yes, it will use slightly more CO2 because of higher water volume but CO2 is super cheap. I think I refilled my last 20-lb cylinder for $25 and it lasts me almost 1.5 years.