Using Magnesium Oxide to Raise Calcium Reactor Discharge pH

[Rick Cavanaugh]

Magnesium oxide will absorb CO2 and raise pH.

So, would this work in a small secondary reactor chamber after the calcium reactor to remove excess co2 and raise the pH?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It will act as a magnesium and alkalinity supplement, and will boost pH like other hydroxide alkalinity supplements.

 

[ReeferBud]

Interesting... how much an effect on effluent pH could it have if added to a secondary chamber?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Interesting... how much an effect on effluent pH could it have if added to a secondary chamber?

Well, I'm not sure why you'd do this. It will quickly boost alkalinity too high, but it could raise the pH substantially, depending on how high the surface area of the material was for dissolution and the flow rate over it. Since magnesium hydroxide/oxide is not saturated in normal seawater at pH 8.5, you could theoretically raise it to at least that value.

 

[Rick Cavanaugh]

so, not a good idea then

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

so, not a good idea then

I do not think so.

 

[bubblemytip]

It looks like AquaCare uses it in their reactors but recommends only periodic use (such as by connecting the magnesium oxide chamber to a bypass that can switched on/off as the magnesium needs of the tank require). http://www.aquacare-shop.de/epages/79654597.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=/Shops/79654597/Products/561-