Ca Reactor/what am I missing

[Reefnjunkie]

I am wanting to raise my KH in the display-I have a Ca reactor controlled by my APEX.

To raise the KH I need to increase the contact time of the Co2 with the media correct? This can be accomplised by reducing the drip rate of my effluent or increasing my bubble count.

IS THAT NOT CORRECT?????????

current KH is 7.84-I use the titration method for testing

what the heck, I have reduced my effluent rate-nothing, actually caused my KH to drop barely but it dropped

I increased my bubble count which is currently around 3 maybe 4 bubbles per second-still nothing and I have given both changes (drip and bubble count) days to see if anything has changed-nothing per se, maybe .3 +/-. but I am looking to get to 9-10KH

my apex program is such;
Fallback OFF
If pH > 06.55 Then ON
If pH < 06.35 Then OFF

I used to run my KH in the 10.2 range but switched tanks from 75 to 150 and the SPS are all getting much bigger.

Any ideas on what I am missing regarding getting the KH via my reactor??

 

[ronnie]

Are you counting bubbles because you don't have a good regulator? If so, get the aquariumplants regulator first of all. I love that thing. Set and forget.

The only thing that jumps out at me is how low you are driving your pH. I have my AC Jr. set to on @ 6.73 and off @ 6.53. How does your media look? Mushy? That may be part of your problem, but I don't know enough about the low pH to be positive.

 

[VegasRick]

If you are using a controller you don't need to worry about bubble count. Increase the output flow. The flow should be real low, I usually run mine at the point where the drips become a stream. I had to raise the ph in my reactor because the dkh was through the roof (15), so my setting is more like on at 7.3 and off at 6.6. fwiw I have been using a reactor since the mid 90s

 

[Reefnjunkie]

Thanks folks, I did have to open the effluent up to where its a steady stream, I had it to where the rate was a fast srip almost a stream and it was not enough, I did wonder if I needed to buffer it up to where I wanted it and then maintain that level with the reactor. I ended up gradually over the last 4+ days boosting it by having the Co2 run 24/7 and the *** at a 6.5-KH is where I want it for now (9.25) I will raise it slowly later to get to the 10 range-
I have the APEX set at 6.46 off and 6.55 on, it has maintained that level (9.25) for 24 hours, I will see what tomorrow tests show

Thanks again

 

[pickupman66]

IMO, and experience, CA reactors are not good for raising the levels,but maintaining them. I would advise to raise your ALK with a product specifically for that as opposed to fiddling with your reactor to make that adjustment. you will have to re-adjust it once the desired level has been attained. if your reactor is not keeping up then you need to increase its output by increasing the drip rate. Raise yoru tank to the level you desire slowly then bump the reactor slightly to maintain. keep teh reactor between 6.6 and 6.5 and you wont have to worry about melting down your media into mush. my reactor is on a pinpoint controller and it is set to 6.65 and 6.54. drip at just over 1 per second as I have a lower load.

on a side note, if you are running pellets such as ecobak or doing vodka dosing, you can burn the tips of your acro's if you get that alk up above 9. i run mine at 8. my ph is stable at 8.05 to 8.15