Alkalinity high after Ca reactor

MacDime · 03/15/2016, 09:14 PM

Since Ive been using my new calcium reactor, the Alkalinity has been on the high side. Its floated between 12dkh and 13.8. The ph is 8.2 where its always been, ca has lowered 50ppm, to 380. How do I keep the Calcium level, ph level, without alkalinity spiking. Possibly staying around 10.

MacDime · 03/15/2016, 09:15 PM

EDIT: I keep the Ph in the reactor around 7.3-7.5, with the effluent at a steady beaded stream. Mag is 1280

Reel North · 03/15/2016, 09:31 PM

Mag low. You are dripping too much. I just went through that. I have the ph in the reactor 7.3-7.4 with zeo mag in it. You need to turn it off until alk drops to 8 - 8.3. Then lower your effluent level. Also recommend a planted tanks electronic regular.

Member No. 1 · 03/16/2016, 03:42 AM

Ca reactors are designed for maintaining a certain Ca level, not increasing it.
(Now before anyone says I'm an idiot, yes you can increase the Ca level, but that's not why you use a Ca reactor)

Questions:
1. Tank size?
2. Age?
3. Stocking levels? (SPS/LPS not fish or inverts)

I use both a Ca & Kalk reactor.
My suggestion to you:
1. Turn the co2 off for the moment.
2. Adjust the effluent output to 1-2 drops/second.
3. Over the course of the next few days adjust with additives
(not using 2 part supplements) your Ca to 420-450 Mg to 1300-1400
and allow you Alk to drop to your desired level of 9-10 dKh.
4. Once these are stable for a few days, now turn your co2 back on,
and set the bubble rate for 1-2 bubbles/sec.
5. pH inside the reactor should be 6.5-6.7 depending on your media.
6. Adjust the bubbles up/down to maintain the pH in the reactor. Don't
adjust the effluent yet.
7. Monitor your levels, it should start to stay stable.
8. Depending on you Ca/Alk demands, you might need to tweek the drops up a little, but you will also have to increase the bubble count to maintain the 6.5-6.7 ph inside the reactor.
9. If one level drops but the other is stable, just add a little to bring the level back in line.
Once you Ca, Alk, and Mg are in the range I stated above, they will all work together and become stable.

03/15/2016, 09:14 PM	#1
MacDime Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 398	Alkalinity high after Ca reactor Since Ive been using my new calcium reactor, the Alkalinity has been on the high side. Its floated between 12dkh and 13.8. The ph is 8.2 where its always been, ca has lowered 50ppm, to 380. How do I keep the Calcium level, ph level, without alkalinity spiking. Possibly staying around 10.

03/15/2016, 09:31 PM	#3
Reel North New King of Quarantine Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hammertown, Canada eh Posts: 1,175	Mag low. You are dripping too much. I just went through that. I have the ph in the reactor 7.3-7.4 with zeo mag in it. You need to turn it off until alk drops to 8 - 8.3. Then lower your effluent level. Also recommend a planted tanks electronic regular. __________________ It takes a very rich man to buy cheap things Current Tank Info: frag tank. Lame

03/16/2016, 03:42 AM	#4
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	Ca reactors are designed for maintaining a certain Ca level, not increasing it. (Now before anyone says I'm an idiot, yes you can increase the Ca level, but that's not why you use a Ca reactor) Questions: 1. Tank size? 2. Age? 3. Stocking levels? (SPS/LPS not fish or inverts) I use both a Ca & Kalk reactor. My suggestion to you: 1. Turn the co2 off for the moment. 2. Adjust the effluent output to 1-2 drops/second. 3. Over the course of the next few days adjust with additives (not using 2 part supplements) your Ca to 420-450 Mg to 1300-1400 and allow you Alk to drop to your desired level of 9-10 dKh. 4. Once these are stable for a few days, now turn your co2 back on, and set the bubble rate for 1-2 bubbles/sec. 5. pH inside the reactor should be 6.5-6.7 depending on your media. 6. Adjust the bubbles up/down to maintain the pH in the reactor. Don't adjust the effluent yet. 7. Monitor your levels, it should start to stay stable. 8. Depending on you Ca/Alk demands, you might need to tweek the drops up a little, but you will also have to increase the bubble count to maintain the 6.5-6.7 ph inside the reactor. 9. If one level drops but the other is stable, just add a little to bring the level back in line. Once you Ca, Alk, and Mg are in the range I stated above, they will all work together and become stable. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

03/15/2016, 09:15 PM	#2
MacDime Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 398	EDIT: I keep the Ph in the reactor around 7.3-7.5, with the effluent at a steady beaded stream. Mag is 1280