Single vs Dual chamber calcium reactor?

Joshsmit56001 · 05/06/2009, 06:08 PM

What is the reason for going with a dual chamber reactor over a single chamber?

Thanks,
Josh

Ehaze · 05/06/2009, 06:33 PM

Keeping the ph low in the first chamber, and by the time it passes the 2nd chamber the ph is slightly higher, for less ph impact on the tank.

LobsterOfJustice · 05/06/2009, 08:59 PM

The second chamber is there to "mop up" the CO2 - i.e. your putting the CO2 in there anyway, might as well use every last bit of it. Also helps raise the pH of the effluent before it goes back into your tank, so the pH-lowering effect of the reactor is minimized.

spleify · 05/06/2009, 09:02 PM

Interesting. How much of an eefect on PH is there, with a single chamber?

LobsterOfJustice · 05/07/2009, 09:41 AM

I would be hard to quantify, it would depend on volume of tank and drip rate of reactor, but you would be adding a drip of 6.6 pH water to your tank 24/7.

05/06/2009, 06:08 PM	#1
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	Single vs Dual chamber calcium reactor? What is the reason for going with a dual chamber reactor over a single chamber? Thanks, Josh __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

05/06/2009, 06:33 PM	#2
Ehaze Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,259	Keeping the ph low in the first chamber, and by the time it passes the 2nd chamber the ph is slightly higher, for less ph impact on the tank. __________________ 75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.

05/06/2009, 08:59 PM	#3
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	The second chamber is there to "mop up" the CO2 - i.e. your putting the CO2 in there anyway, might as well use every last bit of it. Also helps raise the pH of the effluent before it goes back into your tank, so the pH-lowering effect of the reactor is minimized. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

05/06/2009, 09:02 PM	#4
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Interesting. How much of an eefect on PH is there, with a single chamber? __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

05/07/2009, 09:41 AM	#5
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	I would be hard to quantify, it would depend on volume of tank and drip rate of reactor, but you would be adding a drip of 6.6 pH water to your tank 24/7. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles