What should the Calcium output be in a reactor?

GoCougsKev · 12/06/2007, 02:03 PM

I currently have a Geo Calcium reactor running CaribSea Calcium Reactor Media a pH of 6.3-6.5. I am having dificulty raising my calcium levels (at 310ppm) and out of curiousity I tested the water dripping out of my calcium reactor, it was only about 440ppm. Is this right? I would expect much higher levels since it is only coming out of the reactor at a very slow rate (about 20-30 ml per minute).

Also I measured my topoff water coming out of my Kalkwasser reactor and that was about 1500 ppm of calcium, this sounds about right to me?

mille239 · 12/06/2007, 02:59 PM

I agree, the Ca level comming out of your reactor should be higher (at least 2 fold). The Kalk reactor effluent sounds about right, so I wouldn't think your test kit is bad.

When was your pH probe last calibrated or replaced? They can go bad or at least out of calibration in as little as 6 months. If it is off and giving you a lower reading than the effluent actually is, than you may not be delivering enough CO2 in order to disolve the media enough to get the higher concentrations in Ca.

If you recalibrate the probe and find this not to be the problem, than I hope someone else can chime in and give you further advice. good luck!

GoCougsKev · 12/06/2007, 03:11 PM

The pH probe is only a month old and it was calibrated. Also I am sure the probe is right because I did continue to slowly lower the pH in my reactor to see if the calcium levels increased, but the calcium levels did not change much and the media started to turn to mush at pH 6.1, which sounds about right to me.

Weatherman · 12/06/2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GoCougsKev
I currently have a Geo Calcium reactor running CaribSea Calcium Reactor Media a pH of 6.3-6.5. I am having dificulty raising my calcium levels (at 310ppm) and out of curiousity I tested the water dripping out of my calcium reactor, it was only about 440ppm. Is this right? I would expect much higher levels since it is only coming out of the reactor at a very slow rate (about 20-30 ml per minute).

Actually, the numbers look about right.

Considering a calcium reactor will increase your alk by 2.8 dKH for each 20 ppm increase in Ca++, running the math gives you:

Input Ca = 310 ppm
Output Ca = 440 ppm

(440 ppm - 310 ppm)*(2.8 dkh/20 ppm) = 18.2 increase in dKH

if input alk is, say, 8 dKH, output alk would be 26.2 dKH.

This is why calcium reactors (or kalkwasser) is a poor way to raise calcium - alkalinity rises to much.

Best way to raise calcium levels is with calcium chloride. Once you get the level you want, you can maintain the level with a calcium reactor or with kalkwasser.

Capt_Cully · 12/06/2007, 05:06 PM

Agree. Raise Ca by dosing. Once at an acceptable level, then maintain with Reactor.

I have a Geo as well. Love it!

Have you checked your Magnesium?

GoCougsKev · 12/06/2007, 05:23 PM

Capt_Cully: I have been dosing with B-ionic two part, but my Calcium levels seem to be stuck at 315. I really do not have anything in my tank yet that demands much calcium and I would think my saltwater mix (instant ocean) would put my magnesium at the proper levels to where they should be? I do agree I need to test for magnesium and it may be my problem, but every online retailer seems to be out of Salifert magnesium tests kits for the last few weeks, go figure.

MarkGP · 12/06/2007, 07:30 PM

IO salt is low in magnesium...around 1100. Probably why you can't get your calcium level up. I bump up newly mixed IO water with dowflake for calcium as IO is low in calcium too, and magflake for magnesium. Also if you add about a cup of Dolomite to your reactor media you'll never have to worry about magnesium again!

GoCougsKev · 12/06/2007, 08:45 PM

MarkGP-Thanks for your advice. I wish I had a magnesium test kit right now. Maybe if will see if the LFS has Dolomite or magflake. Do I have to be carefull with this in terms of overdosing?

12/06/2007, 02:03 PM	#1
GoCougsKev Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 33	What should the Calcium output be in a reactor? I currently have a Geo Calcium reactor running CaribSea Calcium Reactor Media a pH of 6.3-6.5. I am having dificulty raising my calcium levels (at 310ppm) and out of curiousity I tested the water dripping out of my calcium reactor, it was only about 440ppm. Is this right? I would expect much higher levels since it is only coming out of the reactor at a very slow rate (about 20-30 ml per minute). Also I measured my topoff water coming out of my Kalkwasser reactor and that was about 1500 ppm of calcium, this sounds about right to me?

12/06/2007, 02:59 PM	#2
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	I agree, the Ca level comming out of your reactor should be higher (at least 2 fold). The Kalk reactor effluent sounds about right, so I wouldn't think your test kit is bad. When was your pH probe last calibrated or replaced? They can go bad or at least out of calibration in as little as 6 months. If it is off and giving you a lower reading than the effluent actually is, than you may not be delivering enough CO2 in order to disolve the media enough to get the higher concentrations in Ca. If you recalibrate the probe and find this not to be the problem, than I hope someone else can chime in and give you further advice. good luck! __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

12/06/2007, 05:06 PM	#5
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	Agree. Raise Ca by dosing. Once at an acceptable level, then maintain with Reactor. I have a Geo as well. Love it! Have you checked your Magnesium? __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

12/06/2007, 03:11 PM	#3
GoCougsKev Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 33	The pH probe is only a month old and it was calibrated. Also I am sure the probe is right because I did continue to slowly lower the pH in my reactor to see if the calcium levels increased, but the calcium levels did not change much and the media started to turn to mush at pH 6.1, which sounds about right to me.

12/06/2007, 05:23 PM	#6
GoCougsKev Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 33	Capt_Cully: I have been dosing with B-ionic two part, but my Calcium levels seem to be stuck at 315. I really do not have anything in my tank yet that demands much calcium and I would think my saltwater mix (instant ocean) would put my magnesium at the proper levels to where they should be? I do agree I need to test for magnesium and it may be my problem, but every online retailer seems to be out of Salifert magnesium tests kits for the last few weeks, go figure.

12/06/2007, 07:30 PM	#7
MarkGP Why do I do this? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bristol, RI Posts: 1,015	IO salt is low in magnesium...around 1100. Probably why you can't get your calcium level up. I bump up newly mixed IO water with dowflake for calcium as IO is low in calcium too, and magflake for magnesium. Also if you add about a cup of Dolomite to your reactor media you'll never have to worry about magnesium again!

12/06/2007, 08:45 PM	#8
GoCougsKev Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 33	MarkGP-Thanks for your advice. I wish I had a magnesium test kit right now. Maybe if will see if the LFS has Dolomite or magflake. Do I have to be carefull with this in terms of overdosing?