Calcium Reactor Set Up

[Mongo1.0]

I am getting ready to transfer corals to my new tank with a sump, etc. Been running other tanks on canisters and my new tank has been up and running since January with I few inhabitants. Need to get my calcium reactor started or at least prep for it. I have a calibrated pH probe on it and is monitored by Hydros.

Have heard different ways to run it. Any opinions on recommended best ways? Do I maintain the pH in the reactor by counting bubbles and adjust to what the reading is? Or, do I use hydros and let it control the CO2 flow to maintain pH in the reactor?

Once it is up and running, recommendations on pH control it it becomes an issue?

Thanks for any input.

 

[X-37B]

I run my carx without a controller or ph probe.
Quality 2 stage regulator and a Kamoer peristaltic pump.
Co2 set at 20psi. 2 stage regulator controls the gas. Kamoer controls the effluent.
I keep my effluent at 30+dkh.
Very simple setup and has been running day one for over 2 years now on this system.

 

[X-37B]

I am getting ready to transfer corals to my new tank with a sump, etc. Been running other tanks on canisters and my new tank has been up and running since January with I few inhabitants. Need to get my calcium reactor started or at least prep for it. I have a calibrated pH probe on it and is monitored by Hydros.

Have heard different ways to run it. Any opinions on recommended best ways? Do I maintain the pH in the reactor by counting bubbles and adjust to what the reading is? Or, do I use hydros and let it control the CO2 flow to maintain pH in the reactor?

Once it is up and running, recommendations on pH control it it becomes an issue?

Thanks for any input.

PS. I love that avatar.

 

[X-37B]

Note: I also run kalk 24/7 @ 4mlm to keep ph at 8 during the night.

 

[Shirak]

I am getting ready to transfer corals to my new tank with a sump, etc. Been running other tanks on canisters and my new tank has been up and running since January with I few inhabitants. Need to get my calcium reactor started or at least prep for it. I have a calibrated pH probe on it and is monitored by Hydros.

Have heard different ways to run it. Any opinions on recommended best ways? Do I maintain the pH in the reactor by counting bubbles and adjust to what the reading is? Or, do I use hydros and let it control the CO2 flow to maintain pH in the reactor?

Once it is up and running, recommendations on pH control it it becomes an issue?

Thanks for any input.

How are you planning to control the CO2 input? An automated valve and regulator like a Carbon Doser or a manual set two stage regulator?

Using the Hydros to control the CO2 in some fashion won't help unless you are also monitoring Alk and it can adjust based on Alk readings.

When I was using my apex with a carbon doser and trident, the system would turn the carbon doser on and off. The carbon doser was initially set to give me a certain pH in the chamber with the peristaltic pump at a specific flow rate. Bubble count on the doser and flow rate through the reactor didn't changed unless I needed to make very small periodic adjustments once it was set. The peristaltic pump would run 24/7. When Alk was below a set point on the trident test it would turn on the carbon doser and off when Alk was above a set point. It's a bit tricky to get it working well to minimize swings because of the lag time for the reactor to get back to proper pH range and the time between testing on the trident.

Typically they are set up like X-37B has with a effluent reading between 20-30 dkh and a set flow so you can calculate how much Alk you are adding to match your daily consumption. Once set you only need minor tweaks based on Alk testing as the corals grow.

 

[Mongo1.0]

I run my carx without a controller or ph probe.
Quality 2 stage regulator and a Kamoer peristaltic pump.
Co2 set at 20psi. 2 stage regulator controls the gas. Kamoer controls the effluent.
I keep my effluent at 30+dkh.
Very simple setup and has been running day one for over 2 years now on this system.

I have heard running by alkalinity and letting pH find its balance. First I have heard using a peristaltic pump though.

 

[Mongo1.0]

I am getting ready to transfer corals to my new tank with a sump, etc. Been running other tanks on canisters and my new tank has been up and running since January with I few inhabitants. Need to get my calcium reactor started or at least prep for it. I have a calibrated pH probe on it and is monitored by Hydros.

Have heard different ways to run it. Any opinions on recommended best ways? Do I maintain the pH in the reactor by counting bubbles and adjust to what the reading is? Or, do I use hydros and let it control the CO2 flow to maintain pH in the reactor?

Once it is up and running, recommendations on pH control it it becomes an issue?

Thanks for any input.

PS. I love that avatar.

Lol, my wife was not too fond of that raccoon. Emptied that hummingbird feeder every time she filled it up. Lol.

 

[Mongo1.0]

I am getting ready to transfer corals to my new tank with a sump, etc. Been running other tanks on canisters and my new tank has been up and running since January with I few inhabitants. Need to get my calcium reactor started or at least prep for it. I have a calibrated pH probe on it and is monitored by Hydros.

Have heard different ways to run it. Any opinions on recommended best ways? Do I maintain the pH in the reactor by counting bubbles and adjust to what the reading is? Or, do I use hydros and let it control the CO2 flow to maintain pH in the reactor?

Once it is up and running, recommendations on pH control it it becomes an issue?

Thanks for any input.

How are you planning to control the CO2 input? An automated valve and regulator like a Carbon Doser or a manual set two stage regulator?

Using the Hydros to control the CO2 in some fashion won't help unless you are also monitoring Alk and it can adjust based on Alk readings.

When I was using my apex with a carbon doser and trident, the system would turn the carbon doser on and off. The carbon doser was initially set to give me a certain pH in the chamber with the peristaltic pump at a specific flow rate. Bubble count on the doser and flow rate through the reactor didn't changed unless I needed to make very small periodic adjustments once it was set. The peristaltic pump would run 24/7. When Alk was below a set point on the trident test it would turn on the carbon doser and off when Alk was above a set point. It's a bit tricky to get it working well to minimize swings because of the lag time for the reactor to get back to proper pH range and the time between testing on the trident.

Typically they are set up like X-37B has with a effluent reading between 20-30 dkh and a set flow so you can calculate how much Alk you are adding to match your daily consumption. Once set you only need minor tweaks based on Alk testing as the corals grow.

Yes, I have a two stage regulator. Also, I have a valve on the CO2 line that is controlled by Hydros. I have read that you have to have the pH in a certain range around 6.5pH for the reaction that breaks down the coral media. The outlet is controlled by a small throttlable valve.

My thought process was to control the pH in the reactor with the regulator and/or the controllable CO2 valve. Dose with the small valve on the outlet.

 

[Mongo1.0]

Note: I also run kalk 24/7 @ 4mlm to keep ph at 8 during the night.

Currently to help with pH, I have a CO2 scrubber on air line going the skimmer. Tank stays around 8 on the pH.

 

[X-37B]

Yes, I have a two stage regulator. Also, I have a valve on the CO2 line that is controlled by Hydros. I have read that you have to have the pH in a certain range around 6.5pH for the reaction that breaks down the coral media. The outlet is controlled by a small throttlable valve.

My thought process was to control the pH in the reactor with the regulator and/or the controllable CO2 valve. Dose with the small valve on the outlet.

Im not a fan of ph controlled reactors and have been running like this for many years.
Its simple and the only way I will run one.
Someone who runs the controller method can comment.
Not a fan of co2 scrubbers either.
Kalk works the best for my systems.
A ph of 7.9-8 at night is fine. Daytime reaches 8.3 in my system.
You can dm me if you want to talk about setting it up. Its really very simple trust me.
This is my 150 running a carx at start from day one until today 2 years later.

 

[X-37B]

I have heard running by alkalinity and letting pH find its balance. First I have heard using a peristaltic pump though.

Its a balance yes but simple to do.
I pull through the reactor with a Kamoer. Simplest and requires no feed pump.
Do some more research as the Kamoer replaces the feed pump and is easy to control.
Adjusting drip with a needle valve is not as reliable.

 

[Shirak]

Pulling water through the CaRx with a peristaltic pump such as the Kamoer or another continuous duty rated peristaltic pump is the best way to go IMO. Very precise control of flow and it won't clog or change flow over time.

Scrubbing air through a CO2 reactor before going to the CaRx? That's kinda pointless since you are just adding CO2 at the CaRx.

Without automated Alk testing that you can then use to control the CO2 solenoid valve, your best bet would be to set it up like X-37B has. All you need to know is your current Alk consumption per day. Then you calculate how much to add from a CaRx running at a specific flow rate at a specific DKH output. Once you know the flow you set that then adjust CO2 on the regulator until your CaRX is putting out your target DKH. pH in the reactor is irrelevant since your adjusting CO2 based on output DKH.

I would aim to start with around a DKH around 20 out of the CaRx. That will give you some upside to increase CO2 periodically as the tank matures and consumption increases. When you start getting up around 30DKH you can bump up flow and bring it back down to around 20ish. It's just a precaution so you don't go too low on pH over time and turn the media into mush.

Regarding pH of the effluent... Some people will run the effluent through a second chamber of aragonite or into a refugium or bubbler area like the intake of a skimmer to help off gas CO2 or reduce CO2 in the effluent.

 

[X-37B]

Pulling water through the CaRx with a peristaltic pump such as the Kamoer or another continuous duty rated peristaltic pump is the best way to go IMO. Very precise control of flow and it won't clog or change flow over time.

Scrubbing air through a CO2 reactor before going to the CaRx? That's kinda pointless since you are just adding CO2 at the CaRx.

Without automated Alk testing that you can then use to control the CO2 solenoid valve, your best bet would be to set it up like X-37B has. All you need to know is your current Alk consumption per day. Then you calculate how much to add from a CaRx running at a specific flow rate at a specific DKH output. Once you know the flow you set that then adjust CO2 on the regulator until your CaRX is putting out your target DKH. pH in the reactor is irrelevant since your adjusting CO2 based on output DKH.

I would aim to start with around a DKH around 20 out of the CaRx. That will give you some upside to increase CO2 periodically as the tank matures and consumption increases. When you start getting up around 30DKH you can bump up flow and bring it back down to around 20ish. It's just a precaution so you don't go too low on pH over time and turn the media into mush.

Regarding pH of the effluent... Some people will run the effluent through a second chamber of aragonite or into a refugium or bubbler area like the intake of a skimmer to help off gas CO2 or reduce CO2 in the effluent.

Yes exactly. I started at 20dkh and now run at 30+ since corals have increased in size and need more.
Running at a higher dkh 30+ allows me to feed the system at a slower rated vs 20dkh which helps ph but I still use kalk to keep ph at 8 during lights out.
I drip my effluent next to where my carx overflow is.
Ph of my effluent runs 6.5-6.6. I dont check it often but just did and it was 6.5.

 

[Mongo1.0]

Pulling water through the CaRx with a peristaltic pump such as the Kamoer or another continuous duty rated peristaltic pump is the best way to go IMO. Very precise control of flow and it won't clog or change flow over time.

Scrubbing air through a CO2 reactor before going to the CaRx? That's kinda pointless since you are just adding CO2 at the CaRx.

Without automated Alk testing that you can then use to control the CO2 solenoid valve, your best bet would be to set it up like X-37B has. All you need to know is your current Alk consumption per day. Then you calculate how much to add from a CaRx running at a specific flow rate at a specific DKH output. Once you know the flow you set that then adjust CO2 on the regulator until your CaRX is putting out your target DKH. pH in the reactor is irrelevant since your adjusting CO2 based on output DKH.

I would aim to start with around a DKH around 20 out of the CaRx. That will give you some upside to increase CO2 periodically as the tank matures and consumption increases. When you start getting up around 30DKH you can bump up flow and bring it back down to around 20ish. It's just a precaution so you don't go too low on pH over time and turn the media into mush.

Regarding pH of the effluent... Some people will run the effluent through a second chamber of aragonite or into a refugium or bubbler area like the intake of a skimmer to help off gas CO2 or reduce CO2 in the effluent.

That's some good information from both of you guys . Like the idea of controlling the outlet alkalinity instead of controlling pH. Guess using the pH probe in the Rx as a monitor to prevent turning the media into mush would be a better use. Also, getting a peristaltic pump for better flow control is definitely a future purchase.

I do have a second chamber after the Ca Rx and could also run the effluent to the skimmer.

Anytime else I might not have thought about it overlooked?

What size/flow range of peristaltic pump is needed? Already shopping, lol.

 

[Mongo1.0]

Note: I also run kalk 24/7 @ 4mlm to keep ph at 8 during the night.

Was wondering about kalk. Guess that is a wait and see how much the Ca Rx affects the tank pH. Your kalk run on a peristaltic pump also?

 

[X-37B]

Was wondering about kalk. Guess that is a wait and see how much the Ca Rx affects the tank pH. Your kalk run on a peristaltic pump also?

Yes same one for kalk.
If your carx is dialed in it wont affect ph much. I ran for years without kalk.
I just noticed a few months ago that the night time ph was hitting 7.6 when I checked it one mornimg. I had lost a nice WD colony out of the blue and thought it may be ph related.
Setup kalk and ph is 7.9-8 night time.
First thing I noticed was useage stated going up and corals just looked better.

 

[X-37B]

That's some good information from both of you guys . Like the idea of controlling the outlet alkalinity instead of controlling pH. Guess using the pH probe in the Rx as a monitor to prevent turning the media into mush would be a better use. Also, getting a peristaltic pump for better flow control is definitely a future purchase.

I do have a second chamber after the Ca Rx and could also run the effluent to the skimmer.

Anytime else I might not have thought about it overlooked?

What size/flow range of peristaltic pump is needed? Already shopping, lol.

I use 3 of these on 2 systems.
I have had one for 5+ and just change the tubing once a year.

 

[Mongo1.0]

Note: I also run kalk 24/7 @ 4mlm to keep ph at 8 during the night.

Kalc dosing, is that 4ml per minute continuous or per hour?
Ca Rx Flow, what is your flow setting?

Sorry for all the questions, looking Kamoer pumps controllable via Hydros.

 

[X-37B]

Kalc dosing, is that 4ml per minute continuous or per hour?
Ca Rx Flow, what is your flow setting?

Sorry for all the questions, looking Kamoer pumps controllable via Hydros.

Kalk is @ 4mlm 24/7
Carx effluent is 21mlm 24/7
Bubbles per minute 10
Carx pump above kalk res and kalk pump on the right is my setup.

 

[Linden13]

Thanks for all the great info. I have also been thinking about getting a calcium reactor so this is helpful I tend to like the simplest way to set things up so no PH probe or controller is nice. I currently dose kalkwasser 24/7 and use all for reef. I keep having to use more and more all4reef so its getting more expensive.

One question I have is do you need to dose trace elements when using a calcium reactor?