I need a Calcium Reactor

[zygote2k]

I'm doing some upgrading on the SPS tank and decided to go with a reactor set-up. Can those that are experienced, tell me which system is best and all the parts I'll need?

[Rascal]

In my experience the CO2 regulator/needle valve is the most important component. If you can't keep a steady bubble count you will have to constantly adjust it and your Alk will fluctuate all over the place. Based on recommendations from a couple of more experienced reefers on here, I finally bit the bullet and upgraded to this one: http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLAN...EST_p/co2-1.htm.

Going on 2 years now and it is still set & forget.

[zygote2k]

What kind of reactor do you use? How long does a 10# bottle last?

[jamesbuf]

Far and away the easiest way to run a Ca reactor is to control the pH inside the reactor through the use of a pH monitor.

[davjbeas]

I have a brand new precision marine calcium reactor modell 422 I think. With a new CO2 tank 5 lbs, and the regulator from aquarium plants.com all new.

Will sell for $570.00

 

David B.

I went in the 2 part dosing route.

[lanman]

Far and away the easiest way to run a Ca reactor is to control the pH inside the reactor through the use of a pH monitor.

 

+1

 

If you have your AC-III controlling the pH inside the reactor, all you have to worry about is the throughput of water. Increase for more ALK, reduce for less. There are even calculators that will tell you how much to drip. i.e. - measure, turn off reactor for 48 hours, measure. Use the calculator to see how much you're using. Even a complete idiot (like me) can do it.

 

bob

 

Oh.. I don't know how long a 10# tank will last - mine is bigger - real big. But on my 240, it has dropped from 1100 psi to 900 psi in 6 months. So a big tank will last a very long time.

Edited November 30, 2008 by lanman

[Rascal]

What kind of reactor do you use? How long does a 10# bottle last?

 

Mine is a DIY 2 chamber based on a thread I found on RC. Very easy to make and has worked great for a couple of years now.

 

A tank of CO2 will last 6 months to a year or more depending on the demand in your tank. For most folks I would guess closer to a year.

[kngfisher]

If you have your AC-III controlling the pH inside the reactor, all you have to worry about is the throughput of water. Increase for more ALK, reduce for less. There are even calculators that will tell you how much to drip. i.e. - measure, turn off reactor for 48 hours, measure. Use the calculator to see how much you're using. Even a complete idiot (like me) can do it.

 

Do you have a URL of the calculators you are referring to? I use .5 dKH a day at a ph of 6.8 out of my k2r calcium reactor.

[davelin315]

High quality solenoid/regulator/needle valve and then a high quality controller, those are the most important things as far as running it. For the reactor itself, you want something that pulls water from the top of the chamber so that any CO₂ bubbles are drawn back into the water stream and get reused.

 

As far as running it, ideally you will be able to set your valve so that it produces bubbles at a very steady pace so that you establish a set pH in your water. The controller is just in case your needle valve fails a bit (you want the water to stay above a certain pH or it will turn your media to mush and you want it to stay low enough where it actaully breaks down the media).

 

I have a Geo 624 being run with a pieced together regulator/solenoid/needle valve combination that is controlled with a Pinpoint pH controller. I use a 20 lb tank that ran out once when the regulator was leaking but the current 20 lb tank has been online for at least 6 months. I also keep a spare 5 lb tank.

[flowerseller]

someone on here was selling a nice set up for up to 250g.

 

I use my ACIII to control the pH in my internal DIY reactor.

The pH is set at 6.85 as an average with an effluent rate just past the drip point and into the slight stream point.

I've used a Blue Line regulator and bubble counter for the last 4 years trouble free.

 

Any sized media can have a mush event over time if the internal pH gets much below 6.6 so be mindful.

 

Determine your current ALK and then your "use load" per day.

 

If manually controlled

A typical safe start point could be 1 bubble for 10-12 drips of effluent.

Check pH every 2 hrs (while awake) and ALK daily until you match your use load.

Altering one setting, changes the others result.

 

I always suggest people get their levels, especially Ca, to their desired level and then put the reactor online.