Calcium Reactor PH Elevated

[FinalMac]

Recently, set up a Geos Reef calcium reactor. The ph in the chamber is 7.3, and I can't get it any lower. Anyone have tips for reducing it? Even the obvious tips may help.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Is the probe calibrated and working? Test the effluent and see what the dkh is. Check the regulator, otherwise decrease flow or increase co2. Check the circ pump for proper operation, maybe an air pocket at the probe

Edit. And if all else fails get the BFH! Ha!

 

[backbayreef]

Recently, set up a Geos Reef calcium reactor. The ph in the chamber is 7.3, and I can't get it any lower. Anyone have tips for reducing it? Even the obvious tips may help.

Assume if the probe is calibrated but even if it's not, you should see trend. Two variables that affect the readings: flow rate & CO2.
1. Flow rate: slow down the flow rate (more dwell time) to reduce pH. You can use a peristaltic pump (I like Kamoer) or push water via a feed pump and reduce flow with a precision valve
2. CO2: add more CO2 through regulator

I keep my flow rate constant (e.g. 50mls/min) and only adjust CO2 to increase/decrease alk/ca

 

[X-37B]

Recently, set up a Geos Reef calcium reactor. The ph in the chamber is 7.3, and I can't get it any lower. Anyone have tips for reducing it? Even the obvious tips may help.

What is the dkh of your effluent?
You need more co2 to dissolve the media.

 

[FinalMac]

Probe is calibrated. Using kamoer and slowed the flow to crawl. Maybe not understanding the carbon doser. Is 10 more co2 or .1? I have it at 10 and set to small bubbles basically fully counter clockwise. Does this info change anything? I will measure dkh of affluent.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Probe is calibrated. Using kamoer and slowed the flow to crawl. Maybe not understanding the carbon doser. Is 10 more co2 or .1? I have it at 10 and set to small bubbles basically fully counter clockwise. Does this info change anything? I will measure dkh of affluent.

Ok a carbon doser clockwise is more seconds per bubble (less co2), counter clockwise is fewer seconds per bubble (more co2). Despite that you probably should test the effluent or your just blindly flipping dials around

Edit. What is set to small bubbles? Are you using a bubble counter AND a carbon doser?

Double edit. Are you talking about the actual carbon doser electronic device (seconds per bubble thingy that clicks), or the carbon doser “branded regulator” with dial gauges? These are different things

 

[FinalMac]

Okay, I will test affluent

 

[FinalMac]

I appreciate the help.

 

[backbayreef]

Probe is calibrated. Using kamoer and slowed the flow to crawl. Maybe not understanding the carbon doser. Is 10 more co2 or .1? I have it at 10 and set to small bubbles basically fully counter clockwise. Does this info change anything? I will measure dkh of affluent.

10 is number of bubbles per second, the smaller the number, the more CO2 that you will be injecting to the reactor. I would start at 6-7 and go from there... On your Kamoer, go with 20mls/min.

Depending on the media (I use TLF), you should see things dissolve at pH of 6.5 - I target around 6.8 and the Apex will shut off CO2 if under 6.4.

 

[FinalMac]

Affluent is 9.4

 

[FinalMac]

Probe is calibrated. Using kamoer and slowed the flow to crawl. Maybe not understanding the carbon doser. Is 10 more co2 or .1? I have it at 10 and set to small bubbles basically fully counter clockwise. Does this info change anything? I will measure dkh of affluent.

Ok a carbon doser clockwise is more seconds per bubble (less co2), counter clockwise is fewer seconds per bubble (more co2). Despite that you probably should test the effluent or your just blindly flipping dials around

Edit. What is set to small bubbles? Are you using a bubble counter AND a carbon doser?

Double edit. Are you talking about the actual carbon doser electronic device (seconds per bubble thingy that clicks), or the carbon doser “branded regulator” with dial gauges? These are different things

The carbon doser brand name the newer version.

 

[backbayreef]

So likely this one —

Carbon Doser

The CarbonDoser® CO2 regulator with electronic dosing box.

carbondoser.com

I have two of these, but older versions.

 

[FinalMac]

Yes. I have the older one. But it was bleeding so i figured thats why my ph wouldn't drop. This one not bleeding. The ph dropped initially, but then held steady.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

The carbon doser brand name the newer version.

So what is the regulator set at? And what did you mean by having it set to small bubbles? There isn’t an adjustment for bubble size on a carbon doser. You have regulator pressure and seconds per bubble.

 

[FinalMac]

According to the instructions, the valve all the way open for small bubbles. Closed increasing pressure increases size of the bubbles. I have a counter clockwise, completely open.

 

[FinalMac]

 

[FinalMac]

The instructions for the carbon doser regulator are very much going on a limb that, you know what you're doing.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

According to the instructions, the valve all the way open for small bubbles. Closed increasing pressure increases size of the bubbles. I have a counter clockwise, completely open.

Ok, I’m not sure what instructions are telling you to do but the regulator (dial gauges at the cylinder/bottle) increases/decreases pressure. Mine is set at 1 bar.

After that you have the electronic seconds per bubble. That’s what’s increases/decreses Co2 flow.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

It sounds like you’re turning the regulator all the way down, so no pressure can come out. What does the dial gauge say?

 

[FinalMac]

Alright. I set to one bar and turned the regulator to 6. How high should the affluent DKH be?