Calcium Reactor Difficulty

Hormigaquatica · 07/29/2007, 01:37 AM

So a friend of mine is having difficulty with his calcium reactor, and Ive done all I can think of to get it fixed- and Im stuck. We have gone over the problem so many times, Im just wondering if I have gotten my chemistry and logic confused. Wouldnt be the first time, wont be the last. Heres the thing:

The instructions with his reactor say the dKH in the effluent should be around 30, pH about 6.5, and Ca 500-600??? I was thinking that those kinds of numbers would mean a snowstorm. With a dKH that high, isnt it going to seriously limit the amount of calcium that will be dissolved in the water? With the reactor running, the dKH is about 25 in the effluent. In the tank itself, Ca is maxing out at 420ppm, and dKH is 17. I understand that 420 is pretty good for Ca levels, but the 17 is concerning both of us, as it seems to have triggered mass bleaching of Acros and Montiporas. How can he stabilize the dKH at a more appropriate level (say 12) and still maintain the Ca (I would be happier to see it closer to 450ppm). He is using course ARM media.

Like I said, its a stupid question, and Im sure Im just overlooking some minor thing at this point, but cant figure out what it is- no matter what we tweak, we just cant get those numbers in order.

Cohiba · 07/29/2007, 11:27 AM

Here's a bump! I'm interested on the answer.

Paulairduck · 07/29/2007, 03:42 PM

I would think you would want your calcium from about 400-420 and your alk 8-10dkh. I have always set up my reactor with the effluent dkh at 3 times the level you want in your tank, so if your shooting for 8.0dkh in the tank the effluent of the reafctor should be around 24.

I would also like to know what test kits you are using, some alk test kit's a very in accurate. I have always used salifert and lamotte test kits and I have heard of some bad readings on some of the Salifert test kits. I would doublecheck your results with different test kits.

Running the alk that high will deffinitely affect your sps. I would lower it slowly with water changes and raise the ph in the reactor to 6.8, this should work with arm media, and your tank levels should fall in place.

07/29/2007, 01:37 AM	#1
Hormigaquatica Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 3,022	Calcium Reactor Difficulty So a friend of mine is having difficulty with his calcium reactor, and Ive done all I can think of to get it fixed- and Im stuck. We have gone over the problem so many times, Im just wondering if I have gotten my chemistry and logic confused. Wouldnt be the first time, wont be the last. Heres the thing: The instructions with his reactor say the dKH in the effluent should be around 30, pH about 6.5, and Ca 500-600??? I was thinking that those kinds of numbers would mean a snowstorm. With a dKH that high, isnt it going to seriously limit the amount of calcium that will be dissolved in the water? With the reactor running, the dKH is about 25 in the effluent. In the tank itself, Ca is maxing out at 420ppm, and dKH is 17. I understand that 420 is pretty good for Ca levels, but the 17 is concerning both of us, as it seems to have triggered mass bleaching of Acros and Montiporas. How can he stabilize the dKH at a more appropriate level (say 12) and still maintain the Ca (I would be happier to see it closer to 450ppm). He is using course ARM media. Like I said, its a stupid question, and Im sure Im just overlooking some minor thing at this point, but cant figure out what it is- no matter what we tweak, we just cant get those numbers in order. __________________ Reaching up and reaching out and reaching for the random, or whatever will bewilder me. Have Some Personal Accountability Current Tank Info: 240g LPS/Softie Reef

07/29/2007, 11:27 AM	#2
Cohiba Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sugar Land, Texas Posts: 145	Here's a bump! I'm interested on the answer.

07/29/2007, 03:42 PM	#3
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	I would think you would want your calcium from about 400-420 and your alk 8-10dkh. I have always set up my reactor with the effluent dkh at 3 times the level you want in your tank, so if your shooting for 8.0dkh in the tank the effluent of the reafctor should be around 24. I would also like to know what test kits you are using, some alk test kit's a very in accurate. I have always used salifert and lamotte test kits and I have heard of some bad readings on some of the Salifert test kits. I would doublecheck your results with different test kits. Running the alk that high will deffinitely affect your sps. I would lower it slowly with water changes and raise the ph in the reactor to 6.8, this should work with arm media, and your tank levels should fall in place.