how much gph does everyone run to their Calcium Reactor

[cklayko2000]

I have a korralin calcium reactor. I'm totally confused on the proper set up.... How much flow is everyone putting into their reactors? I have a little maxijet 160gph pump feeding mine, not sure if this is enough...

Second question, how much effluent is everyone dripping into their sumps? I was at the lfs today and they didn't regulate how much effluent came out, basically it free flowed... The tank the CR was feeding was beautiful... When I asked why they don't regulate they responded we need as much calc as possible...

tank specs
120gallons, good amount of coral (not SPS, mainly LPS...)

current calcium level 400ppm - I do a 20% water change every 2 weeks...

 

[Len]

Ca reactors require very little flow (think single digit gph). I don't know exactly how much flow I'm feeding my reactor, but it's very low. A Maxijet (even the smallest one) will provide more then enough flow to any Ca reactor; fact is, much of the flow will be wasted. The flow-through rate will equal however much you're dripping out. As you know, the drip-out rate is maybe a couple gallons per hour. I used to gravity feed my ca reactor but now use an air-lift pump to provide miniscule flow to my ca reactor.

Effluent drip-rate will differ depending on your reactor and your needs. I drip quite rapidly, around 2 drops per second. I will probably burn through a lot of CO2 with this high a rate, but I have a stoney-dominanted tank.

I can't imagine you can get the pH low enough (target of 6.7) if you're free-flowing the effluent. Well, maybe you can, but you'd be going through a 10lb CO2 bottle in a few days I'm sure their tank is great, but I think your LFS either doesn't know or is lazy

 

[jdeets]

You gotta distinguish between "feed" rate--which I would equate to flow rate--the volume entering and leaving the reactor--which is the same as effluent drip rate.

And then there's circulation rate--the rate at which effluent is circulating through the reactor.

I feed my reactor from a manifold installed off of the return line, and use a needle valve to regulate the flow of effluent out of the reactor. I'm not sure what the actual rate is in gph--but it's pretty slow.

For circulation, I use an Eheim 1250 and 1/2" pvc. I don't remember what the rate is on that pump, but it's pretty high.

I think your first question relates to circulation rate, and I'm not sure what's optimum there. My Ca rxr is manufactured with the Eheim 1250, so that's what I use.

 

[GSchiemer]

No one can tell you how much flow to pass through your calcium reactor. It's a function of the reactor design, the feed pump, and the CO2 rate. Use a measure of the pH in the body of the reactor and the alkalinity of the effluent as a guide.

BTW, there are many posts with questions regarding the purchase of calcium reactors; how they compare to other calcium/alkalinity replacement methodologies; and how they should be set up and adjusted. Let's please stop posting that calcium reactors are easy to set up and maintain, and that they're the best way to go for calcium/alkalinity maintenance. They're not. They're a PITA to set up and maintain, regardless of brand. Most newbies would be better served using one of the many fine two-part supplements on the market and possibly graduating to a calcium reactor at some point in the future. Frankly, if you have a smaller reef aquarium (< 55 gals) and/or don't have a preponderance of SPS corals actively growing, then I'd recommend sticking with one of the two-part supplements as your primary means of maintaining calcium and alkalinity levels in the aquarium indefinitely.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I heard 2-Parts dont raise the levels? How do you go about raising the levels? Same as the CA reactor - some say you should make the tank parameters where you want them before turning on a reactor.

I am affraid now of having my tank revert back to a cess pool. I dont want to get into the business of mixing buffers and miracle Calcium remedies to get the tank inline.

What do you suggest?
_________________
Mercedes Benz 450

 

[jdeets]

Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion, I suppose.

I've used 2-part solutions, kalk, and Ca rxr, and IME the Ca rxr has suited me best. It took a little patience and tinkering to get it going, but once I get it going, it pretty much runs itself.

Indidentally, Rob, in answer to your question regarding getting levels where you want them before starting a Ca rxr...

I recently installed a PM CR622 on my 180. I had another brand of Ca rxr on my tank before that, and it broke. I ordered the CR 622 and it took about a week for it to arrive. When I hooked it up, my alk was around 2.2 and my ca in the mid-300s. Now, my alk is at 3.8 and Ca at 430.

Bottom line is that a Ca rxr can and does raise levels of Ca and alk. It will not do it as quickly as you could do it with chemical supplementation.

I have to disagree with Greg's blanket statement that Ca rxrs are not the best way to manage Ca and alk. I think that position is somewhat overstated. It depends on the aquarist and the system. Additionally, what is "best" will be a matter of opinion, based upon your individual experience.

I would probably agree wiht Greg that for a newbie, 2-part supplements might be better. There is so much to learn about equipment and chemistry when getting into this hobby. You really need to understand the chemistry behind all this to effectively use any method of supplementation--be that 2-part supplements or a Ca rxr.

I myself started with 2-part supplements, then switched to kalk, and when I upgraded from a 115 to a 180 (about a year later), I went with a Ca rxr. IME, I have had the most success with the Ca rxr, but YMMV. NOTE that I still grumble a bit when I have to go pick up a new CO2 canister, or refill the Rxr media, but overall I like the fact that the system pretty much runs itself for the most part.

 

[GSchiemer]

I heard 2-Parts dont raise the levels?

You heard wrong. Any of the two-part calcium/alkalinity supplements will raise the corresponding levels of calcium and alkalinity. Personally I use B-Ionic, but I've used C-Balance with success as well. It couldn't be easier. If you have to raise levels, add more of each part every day, if the levels are where you want them, back off a little. Once you get a feel for the daily dosing amount, you only have to check levels weekly. Always start with the suggested dosing amounts on the label; add or subtract as needed.

Don't confuse the two-part supplements with independent buffers and calcium supplments. They're not the same thing.

Although "jdeets" said he disagreed with me, he did exactly as I suggested. Start with a two-part supplement and move to a calcium reactor only when you have the need and knowledge to use one.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I feed my reactor using a small MJ and feed it trough a needle valve to slow the flow down. It's not drops per second, but a continuous stream. I have my co2 set at 15 cc/minute IIRC. Myu 20 pound tank last at least 6 months.

You can slow the flow, or increase the co2 to get your effuent PH at the level you desire.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I've got the same reactor and feed it with the Aqualifter pump.

 

[cklayko2000]

So it sounds like everyone regulates the flow into the reactor, whereas right now I'm regulating the effluent drip on the output of the reactor... Does it make a difference if you limit the intake as opposed to the output?

Sorry for all these questions, I thought I understood all of this...

 

[cklayko2000]

Sorry one more question, does everyone run their Calc Reac 24hours a day?

My PH tends to drop from 8.4 during the day to 8.0 at night... I was thinking about putting the CO2 on a timer so it shuts off at night. Does anyone do this?

 

[GSchiemer]

Ideally you want to regulate the flow on the input side; otherwise you'll build up pressure inside the reactor, which makes it difficult to maintain a consistent bubble-rate and effluent drip.

But CA reactors aren't a PITA.

 

[GSchiemer]

Most aquarists run their CA reactors 24/7. There is a tendency for the pH to drop at night and the addition of a CA reactor can cause it to drop to undesirable (unsafe) levels. I dose kalkwasser only at night and this helps to counter the pH-reducing effect of the CA reactor. The best solution is to us a pH controller to turn the CO2 off when the pH drops below a certain level. You'll need a solenoid-equipped regulator to accomplish this. Got it?

 

[jdeets]

I regulate flow out--for input I use pressure from a manifold installed on the return line just above the main pump.

Yes, it does create pressure inside the reactor--but any time you use a pump to feed the reactor, you're going to create some pressure. I just adjust the bubble rate with the needle valve.

My old reactor had a siphon feed--it really couldn't handle pressure greater than that--but I didn't like it because sometimes it would lose the siphon and that would cause the pump to run dry.

I do have a solenoid on my regulator but I don't use a pH controller. I have the solenoid so that the CO2 flow will stop if the power goes out.

My pH fluctuates from about 8.0 to 8.2 during the day. I haven't experienced any wild swings.

There are lots of factors to take into account--for example, I have a pretty large downdraft skimmer (Evo 750) with a Mag 12 driving it--so that certainly helps drive the CO2 out of the system and minimizes the impact of the CO2 content of the reactor effluent.

There are dozens of factors that affect how a reactor will affect your system, including system size and other system inputs & equipment.

I wouldn't go back to supplements, but YMMV.

 

[Unarce]

What would be the advantage/disadvantage of just running a Kalkreactor? Would I be able to get away with using a slightly oversized kalkreactor?

Thanks, again!