Calcium Reactor plus Apex Controller

sps4mytank · Dec 9, 2009

So i set this thing up probably about 3 months ago. Initially everything seems fine. Alk = 8 Calcium = 440 ph was typically around 8.35. I had this running 24/7 without my controller

Then i got this new apex controller and I wanted to control on and off of my solenoid based on the ph in the effluent chamber.

Currently my tank parameters are as follows
ph in my tank is roughly 8.03 and at its peak is 8.33
Ph in my effluent stays around 6.50-6.60

but i have been noticing that during my testing
my alk = 7
calcium = 380

I dont think these are too bad of numbers. but I have read numerous forums and reviews and I just dont think I have my caRX set up with my apex properly

I have programmed it the following
Outlet 6 = regulator
ph2 = ph in effluent
ph = ph in tank

if ph2 > 6.60 then turn on regulator
if ph2 < 6.50 then turn off regulator

My question is I want to keep my ph in my tank around 8.30 throughout the whole day. Is there a way to use my controller to effectively keep the ph at 8.30? If so how can i program this more effectively? Can i steadily rise my alk and calcium using my reactor only?

Thanks for your responses

Jay

reefdan · Dec 9, 2009

i don't think it'll work that way.

i have an ac jr and you can program it to turn the carx off if the pH in the display drops too low but with a carx you are likely going to get a pH lower than 8.3 unless you run a kalkrx as well.

shooting for 8.3 will likely keep your carx off all the time, which in turn will drop the ca/alk addition to your reef and cause your pH to drop due to lack of buffers in the water.

i suppose you could program the controller to add kalk (with a litermeter or even a aqualifter) if your pH drops below 8.3 but you'll be messing with your alk/ca levels a bunch -increasing them every time your reef drops, only to have it drop all the time due to the co2 addition from the carx. not worth the hassle IMO. a pH of 8.0 really isn't that bad. in other words, i think you're screwed unless you incorporate a kalk drip that adds a steady level of kalk to the water all of the time (or at least at night).

one thing you could do is add another chamber to the carx to absorb more of the free co2 that's plaguing you. you can also drip the effluent into your overflow or near your skimmer to make sure it is aerated properly. this will diffuse more of the unused co2

EDIT: also, using your carx to increase ca/alk levels is a bad idea. they aren't designed for this and doing so will work but will require you to recalibrate it to match your reef's consumption rate. it's much much easier to increase these levels using a 2 part solution