Calcium reactor questions...

[maury]

Have just set up a reactor, and I have a question about the adjustment. I know that the pH is going to drop with the use of a reactor, but how far is too much? I was expecting a drop of maybr .1 would be acceptable, and have had pH drops that are greater than this. I have been slowly decreasing the rate that the return water is entering the tank, as well as decreasing the bubble rate in the co2 counting chamber. which of these two adjustments contols the calcim level being deliverd or ph? Or do both contribute to each? Any pointers would help. Tank is a 55 gal.

 

[maury]

Anyone? Sharks?

 

[sonny]

I have been off the board for a couple of weeks... The Calcium reactor should not actually lower the ph of your tank. In fact, it should help stabilize and keep it at 8.3 to 8.4. A reactor works by using CO2 to lower the ph of the water in the reactor chamber so that the substrate in the chamber will dissolve. Calcium based sand doesn't dissolve readily in a higher ph. The rate that it flows in and out of the tank should be very slow, but steady. The pump should recirculate through the medium many times over, and slowly release water back into the system. Depending on what type of reactor you have, you may need to decrease the count of CO2 bubbles. The models I have researched recommend using a digital ph meter to calibrate the amount of CO2 you are using. The reactor should make keeping your calcium levels very easy. There are some cheap reactors on the market. A good calcium reactor is typically very expensive to set up, but inexpensive to operate. The average system should cost you about $500.
Sonny