Calcium reactor second chamber media size

[Brockly]

Hey all I am about to buy my first calcium reactor and switch away form 2 part. I plan to have 2 chambers. I’m putting reborn in the main chamber. And was going to do the same for the second. But I see lots of people using just crushed coral or something in the second chamber. Please explain pros and cons of what you put in the swine chamber please?

Also I have a 100 gallon sps tank. And plan to have a 300 gallon in the next few years. I’m buying geo. And thought about getting a large 400-600 gallon one so it’s future proof. Any reason why I can’t use the large one on my smaller 100 gallon tank. I can turn down the effluent of courses and have higher ph in the chamber to slow the dissolving. Or even not fill all the way. Just wanted to check if I’m running a risk by having a way oversized calcium reactor?

 

[jerburton]

If anything the larger reactor should provide for a more stable pH environment but even that is likely a small amount. I would get the biggest one you can afford/fit for your set up. Regardless, your reactor can be tuned with pH adjustment (more determinant of alkalinity addition) and flow rate to whatever demands you might have both currently and in the future. You just want equipment that can provide you with that stability. Bulk Reef Supply has been doing a number of videos on calcium reactors lately. I recommend you check them out.

 

[Brockly]

Thanks I’ve been watching them for sure. Mainly just trying to figure out the second chamber situation.

 

[joseserrano]

Crushed coral Melts faster than reborn so the higher ph I’m chamber 2 will still melt/use the excess co2

 

[ca1ore]

I use reborn in the main chamber of my pro cal and carribsea fine in the second (though I think it’s been discontinued). Second chamber media does dissolve, though much slower than the reborn. Imagine I will just use crushed coral when it needs refilling next. Probably doesn’t matter all that much which media you use.

 

[Brockly]

So if I’m not looking for more potent effluent from more dissolving of the second chamber and just used reborn. Would it still Increase the ph a bit as it flows out the second chamber or does that only happen IF the media in it is dissolving which uses the co2?

Does it gas’s off anyway or only if the media is being used up and therefor you want something that dissolves easier