When to change CO2 tank in CaRX?

[kris2001]

My calcium reactor effluent used to be stable 20dkh.
Now it's 17.3... Why is this so?

Noticed co2 tank is losing pressure now 500 psi. There's enough media about 70% full...

DT alk used to be 9 now 7.8
Corals growing than before so that maybe it...

Should I change the co2 tank now or wait till 200 psi?

My question is low co2 causing this drop?
Still controlled by solenoid and ph in reactor. Why would alk drop? It's still co2 in the tank not air... Wondering does air leak into it due to pressure somewhere?

Pls advice..

 

[Reefer5640]

Well I don’t have a ton of experience dialing in calcium reactors but I can tell you ambient air can’t leak into your cylinder. If there was a leak the greater pressure would overcome the lower. Meaning the CO2 would leak out. As far as your dkh dropping it could be a combination from coral consumption and lower effluent. Why your effluent is lower I can’t help you there.

 

[kris2001]

I swapped CO2 tank and still effluent is 17.3 dkh...

When media drops to half in reactor does that affect effluent dkh?
Should I reduce reactor ph to lower in
apex to make it more acidic?!

Pls lmk THX

 

[Spieg]

How's the bubble count compared to before? When tank pressure drops you may need to open valve a little to maintain bubble count. Low media can affect output, may be time to top off.

 

[kris2001]

How's the bubble count compared to before? When tank pressure drops you may need to open valve a little to maintain bubble count. Low media can affect output, may be time to top off.

Well I couldn't tell difference in bubble count. I swapped tank anyways now it's at 850 psi...

Reactor has 2/3rd media still left. My tank is using up more I think that's partly reason why since stuff is growing better than before...

I just reduced reactor ph setting from 6.76 to 6.74... Let's test after a day...! THX much..

 

[kris2001]

Also in most of your tanks does effluent dkh alk stay constant? When does it fluctuate?

I know some of you keep it all 40...I keep at 20 dkh!

 

[Reefahholic]

When you see this:

 

[flagg37]

If you have a dual stage regulator you should be able to completely empty the tank. (Right?)

 

[outhouse]

I run mine completely out and then get a full tank. I never pay attention to pesky numbers testing, its better just to know what your tank needs and give it to it. For me its a full of media reactor and less than a bubble a second.

 

[kris2001]

Yesterday night I Increased effluent rate lil bit.... Then lowered reactor ph from 6.76 to 6.74 to make effluent more acidic... today effluent dkh crept from 17 to 17.6... Used to be 20 dkh when started reactor last year. Now DT is 7.9 .... Phew!

I won't change anything I'll test again daily...

My question is does anyone know at what reactor pH does ARM media turns to mush?
I want to make sure I don't reduce the reactor pH too much to make it acidic...

Thx