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Calcium reactors.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by AchillesTang23, Dec 12, 2012.


  1. Hey everyone,

    I am just sort of curious as to how many people use calcium reactors. Also if you do use one I would like you to just share with me how the reactor itself works, not sure that I quite understand it, and maybe your thoughts on how beneficial they are for a reef.

    thanks for any input.
     
  2. Currently I dose 2-part, but I was just thinking it would be nice to switch to something easier. That is if they are any easier /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/tongue.gif
     
  3. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    It's late and I'm tired so this will be short.

    I have one but not using it ATM due to the fact I only have small frags that don't consumer much in terms of alk and ca.

    Basically a CA reactor is going to help maintain a steady Alkalinity level by adding C02 to a reactor chamber which is full of Calcium based media. The C02 causes the water to become slightly acidic(low pH) in the reactor which slowly dissolves the media allowing the dissolved calcium back into your tank for the corals to use to grow.

    Easy to use if you have a controller that maintains the pH inside the reactor. One drawback is it can cause low pH problems in tanks.

    I think once setup they are the easiest way to maintain calcium and alkalinity levels.



     
  4. slovan

    slovan Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Jeremy did an excellent job explaining it without going into greater detail.

    Are you currently dosing by hand? Another alternative is to continue dosing 2-part except using dosing pumps on timers. It's a cheaper alternative to calcium reactors but would require frequent testing to stay on top of your parameters.
     
  5. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    yup Jeremy pretty much nailed it. It is a chamber where you can drop the pH to slightly acidic with the use of co2 injection. The co2 tank has a regulator and an electronic solenoid that opens and closes the flow of co2 based on the pH within the reactor (measured by a probe in the lid (alternatively you can measure the pH of the effluent (effluent: treated saltwater))). For instance, my solenoid turns on (opens) when the pH rises above 7.00, and turns off (closes) when the pH reaches 6.8.

    The reactor is equipped with 1/4" RO type tubing feeding and coming out of the reactor. This dictates a pretty slow flow rate, the output line has a needle valve so I can throttle the flow down to around 1-2 cups per minute (a good starting place). Ultimately the flow rate is dictated by my carbonate hardness. When you set up the reactor, or reevaluate your flow rate every 6-7 months (as corals grow and biological demand for calcium and carbonate increase), you want to measure the kh every 24 hours until you get it dialed in. This usually takes me 3-4 days. If the kh is too high (above 10dkh) then I turn the flow down, if the kH is still low (below 7dkh) I turn the flow up.

    Once the reactor is dialed in you can forget about it for some time. Not only does it improve your calcium and carbonate levels, but also many trace elements, and if you add a few cups of dolomite (a type of granular media) you can maintain your magnesium levels at the same time with the same device. The low pH can be counter acted well with the use of a kalk stirrer, or you can just live with it. However, SPS systems cope very well with slightly anemic pH (around 7.8-7.9). This detriment (if you want to call it that) of a lowered pH, precludes the fact that your pH will be VERY stable with a steady and constant kH. kH is (essentially) a measurement of how resistant the pH is to changes. This is a good thing, the higher the better really, but corals will only tolerate up to ~12dkH (and in biopellet/carbon dosing systems aka: ULNS ultra low nutrient systems are particularly sensitive to "alk burn" above 10dkH).

    Anyways. I love mine. They're a good tool. They're very expensive (especially if you don't already have a pH controller (APEX, RK Elite, Milwaukee pH controller etc.).
     
  6. Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

    446
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    So they keep both Calcium and Alk in check?
     
  7. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Correct
     

  8. Thanks for all of the knowledgable replies guys! Yes I currently dose 2-part by hand. I am just starting to look for my best optipns in the future. As of now I do not need a calcium reactor or dosing pumps because most of my corals are still small, and they dont consume enough of these elements for me to spend the money on this equipment. I am seeing quite a rapid growth rate though in a number of my corals. I do have around 10-15 frags of sps and 15-20 lps.

    I knew that the reactors can maintain both Cal and Alk in the tank but had no clue about also keeping the Mag levels in check! That is amazing and might have just sealed the deal for the future! I just had another question about the pH, with it causing low levels in the aquarium over time, will the pH only drop as low as you have it set inside of the calcium reactor or can it drop below the 7.8-7.9 area?


    Thanks again everyone,

    Jordan
     
  9. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

    Ratings:
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    Generally it will not drop below 7.6. The buffering capacity of the carbonate added counter acts the effect of the effluent quite a bit. If you're using it right, it won't drop below 7.8. I highly recommend a 2 chamber system for absorbing excess CO2 injected into the chamber. This will improve the quality of the effluent greatly. At a pH of 7.6 everything will be fine, but SPS will start to build skeletons made of calcite rather than calcium carbonate. Calcite is much more thin and brittle than CaCO3.

    Q: Hey, do you have any sodium bromite?
    A: Na BrO
     
  10. Salty

    Salty

    165
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Great explanations guys..i have ben in the hobby about a yr and a half and seem to have figured most everything out by now except reactors and controllers. The above comments have gotten me the closest to getting an understanding for calcium reactors. I did not realize they control both ca and alk. I have never had a problem with ca but have had to dose the crap out of my system to keep my alk in check for months now. Sounds like a ca reactor might be my answer. Only problem is I doubt I can afford one anytime soon. Damn they are expensive!

    The highest I can get my alk is about 7. If I don't dose it quickly drops low er. Ca and mg always test fine though. I am getting very tired of dosing constantly so I was going to get dosing pumps, but maybe I should get a ca reactor instead??

    Does anyone have any suggestions of what to get and what else I ned to get it going..do I ned a controller? How do they work? Again I know nothing abbot this stuff so bear with me and any help is appreciated!
     
  11. Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

    591
    Ratings:
    +24 / 0 / -0



    Lots of good info here.

    Regarding a controller they are nice but not necessary. You can run a calcium reactor just fine with out a controller, ph probe or solenoid valve. I use a Korallin Calcium Reactor - one of the highest rated reactors. I have a controller capable of controlling it but choose to keep it as simple as possible. You'll need a Co2 tank (a 5 lb tank will last 6 months before needing a refill and refills only cost about $10) a regulator for it with a needle valve to control the co2 down to a slow bubble rate. Tunze has a very good and affordable one that I use with the needle valve built in.

    My recommendations,





    Korallin C1502 Calcium Reactor with Eheim Pump

    Regulator

    Empty CO2 tank - shop around ebay is a good place to find cheap new or used ones. Then take it to any welding supply shop to have it filled as they can not be shipped full.

    ReBorn Coarse Aragonite Calcium Reactor Media and Mag Magnesium Media if you want.





    Don't worry about any of the prices that they list if you shop around and find cheaper prices just note it on the order and they will match it plus 10% of the difference.




     
  12. Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

    591
    Ratings:
    +24 / 0 / -0
    Check out youtube videos of them running and how they work it will give you a better understanding as well.
     
  13. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    Avast marine just came out with some new calcium reactors. I havent heard any reviews on them yet but I am a big fan of the DIY kits they sell especially there kalk stirrer. so I haven't decided yet on wether I want to buy a octopus sro-5000 dual chamber reactor or a avast seabones III and a Seabones III add on chamber for my new system. any opinions from anybody on a calcium reactor that can handle a 1000+ gal system
     
  14. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0

    I was about ready to pull the trigger on the Avast reactor, but ended up buying a reef octopus from BigD insteads.
     
  15. Big D Well-Known ReefKeeper

    889
    Center Point
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    And got a good deal . Lol.
     
  16. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0


     
  17. Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +321 / 3 / -0

    I have the Korallin 1502 calcium reactor also and the thing is just awesome. Just set it and forget it.I have a controller hooked up to it to shut it down if the parameters get out of whack but that thing keeps working flawlessly without any real variances.
     
  18. Salty

    Salty

    165
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Thanks for the suggestions jaime. I will check those out as well as a few you tube vids to get a better understanding of how they work. I have been avoiding reactors and controller systems so far due to price, but have begun to realize it is inevitable so I just ned to bite the bullet and get them.

    Why didn't anyone warn me reef keeping might leave me homeless?! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     
  19. Salty

    Salty

    165
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Ps, roman the 2nd 125g isn't helping my $ situation either haha!
     
  20. Herman

    Herman

    180
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0

    I have the Korallin 1502 Calcium Reactor its Great
     

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