Which Media for 2nd calcium reactor chamber

[stevem650]

I’m setting up a Geo dual chamber Calcium reactor. I am going to use coarse Reborn media for the first chamber. Should I use the same for the second or use a fine media. Should I also add Mag media to the first chamber. Thanks

 

[watdachuck]

I’m setting up a Geo dual chamber Calcium reactor. I am going to use coarse Reborn media for the first chamber. Should I use the same for the second or use a fine media. Should I also add Mag media to the first chamber. Thanks

Where is your magnesium testing at currently, and do you currently add anything to supplement it? I found using ReMag in my CaRx to be very beneficial as Magnesium was dropping below 1200. On the second chamber I would just use the same media as the first.

 

[Water Dog]

Because Caribsea ARM fine media seems to be discontinued, I’d use dry Caribsea Florida crushed coral. If using a second degassing chamber, I prefer to use a finer media with lots of surface area. Reborn is my media of choice for the main calcium reactor chamber.

 

[stevem650]

I would add magnesium usually once monthly and water change every month. My mag would drop from 1350 to around 1250 monthly. I am concerned that adding ReMag would elevate Mag over 1350. Adding a finer media to the second chamber I thought would raise the PH effluent going back into the tank. Reborn has a fine media and was thinking it would be better in the second chamber.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m setting up a Geo dual chamber Calcium reactor. I am going to use coarse Reborn media for the first chamber. Should I use the same for the second or use a fine media. Should I also add Mag media to the first chamber. Thanks

Additional reborn mixed with ReMag

 

[Water Dog]

Second chamber is just a degassing chamber to absorb excess CO2 from the CaRx effluent for a pH bump so a finer media is preferred. If using ReMag or any magnesium media, that should go in the main CaRx reaction chamber so it can melt properly in the recirculation loop.

 

[stevem650]

I know the ReMag goes in the first chamber. Should I use the fine ReBorn media in the second chamber and coarse in 1st?

 

[Water Dog]

I know the ReMag goes in the first chamber. Should I use the fine ReBorn media in the second chamber and coarse in 1st?

Again, I prefer Florida crushed coral As it has lots more surface area and it’s super cheap. You can use Reborn if you want, but that’s kinda pricy for degassing chamber use IMO.

 

[Shinister]

+1 for crushed coral.

 

[jda]

Do you have excessive co2 coming out of your GEO? If not, then a second chamber will not do anything so do not sweat it that much. If you do have excessive co2, then you can tune your reactor better. If you have your first chamber tuned well, your tank pH should barely move with the reactor.

ReMag is dolomite. Aragonite and calcite have about the same composition, but are different to melt with the calcite needing a slightly lower pH. I do not think that dolomite or calcite would do anything to use up and extra co2, not that much gets used up anyway without recirculation, so aragonite is probably a good idea in a second chamber.

When using dolomite, most just use a little bit like 20-25% and not 100%. It does not take much. I have only used it when using the man-made media like from AquaMedic, but it was a real pain and I do not use it anymore and prefer natural media.

 

[ca1ore]

Because Caribsea ARM fine media seems to be discontinued, I’d use dry Caribsea Florida crushed coral. If using a second degassing chamber, I prefer to use a finer media with lots of surface area. Reborn is my media of choice for the main calcium reactor chamber.

My suggestion also.

 

[Reefahholic]

Where's a good place to buy the Caribsea Florida crushed coral?