What media do you use in your calcium reactor???

[bmkj02]

I built this calcium reactor and I am working on the second chamber now. I was wondering what kind of media should I be using. I see the ARM media but I also see the coarse grade and the fine grade. I also noticed someone using the coarse in the first chamber and the fine in the second chamber. Wanted to get everyones input before I order. Thanks!!!

 

[scsinet]

Personally, I use fine media. IMO the big difference is that the fine media is more prone to clogging, but I haven't seen that problem.
Of course there is also the two big players... there is Caribsea ARM, and Koralith. I've read that the Koralith is a better media, but I've always used ARM with great success.
That thing looks huge... what size tank are you running that you need a second chamber?

 

[bmkj02]

Its going on a 125g. Im using a second chamber cause I was told with a second chamber it will buff my PH a little higher. Nothing more on calcium and Alk just really to squeeze out the most I can for PH. In a different forum they speak about the first chambers effluent pH is 6.5 to 6.7 while the effluent from the second stage is about 7.3 to 7.5. They have this huge thread about this so hence the reason for the second chamber. I might run one for now and check the PH on that. If its too low then I will build the second chamber. Any feedback from you SCSInet will be great!!

 

[scsinet]

The second chamber will certainly buffer your PH, no doubt about that. If it can be economically built or you are really worried about it, then go for it.
However, on a tank that size, I simply can't see your effluent pH having that big of an effect, if any. Co2 easily outgasses from the water, at whcih time the pH would jump back up. An alternative if you are worried about it is to run the effluent into your skimmer's water intake. The skimmer will remove the Co2.

 

[bmkj02]

Thanks Quint!! I will run it with one chamber for now and drop in into the skimmer as you say. I already have the parts for the second chamber since I had to buy a 6ft section of acrylic tubing so I have extra. I guess I can build some other kind of reactor. Any ideas what else I can build with the extra tubing?

 

[scsinet]

Denitrator.

 

[bmkj02]

This sucks. Reborn doesnt have many review. Hardly any but the ones it does have are good. A lot of other people say ARM is good but then again ARM is everywhere so its more common for us reefers hence more better reviews. You can basically go to any LFS and find ARM how common it is. Gen X is even less common. I hope more chine in.