GEO 6x18 Calc Reactor settings???

spongebobby · 04/27/2007, 07:21 PM

I just hooked up my new reactor and have a few questions.

I have the Reef Fanatic regulator & solenoid which is running through a Pinpoint PH controller. It is reading at a constant 6.56 and the effluent is at about 70ml a min. BPM is at roughly 90.

Does this sound like a good starting point to run or should I adjust the BPM/ effluent drip rate.

The solenoid has not turned off yet. Controller is set at 6.6 at high and 6.2 for low.Has been running for 3 hours.

Just don't want to nuke my tank overnight.

Thanks for the help

lvpd186 · 04/27/2007, 07:32 PM

I'll be interested in the answers that you get, my set up is very similar but I haven't got my Co2 tank filled yet. Have you tested your water yet?

spongebobby · 04/27/2007, 07:39 PM

I tested the water before I set-up and alk was 10dkh and calc 435.

Jeremy B. · 04/27/2007, 08:41 PM

What type of media are you running? If you are running the larger Gen-X media, then you're probably about right on with your ph controller settings. If you're using the smaller ARM, Koralith, or Tropic Eden, then I would recommend going up to about 6.5 low and 7.0 high on the two far ends.

You could increase your bubble rate some too. That will not hurt anything since your ph controller will be turning the solenoid on and off.

The effluent sounds just a little high to me with your levels being at 435 and 10 right now. If you don't want to lower it, just keep a very close eye on your cal and dkh, testing at least every couple of days so you don't see the typical dkh spike.

HTH

spongebobby · 04/27/2007, 09:26 PM

I am using the ARM course media. So it's not unusual for the solenoid to not shut off? I will lower my effluent rate and let it run tonight.

Jeremy B. · 04/27/2007, 09:53 PM

It's not unusual since you have such a close ratio of your effluent and bubble rate. If you decreased your effluent, and left your bubble rate the same, then the ph would start creeping down more quickly. Even with the media you are using though I would still recommend running the reactor at around 6.4 or 6.5 on the low end, and around 6.7 on the high end.

Markk96 · 04/27/2007, 10:27 PM

I would run the ARM media at 6.7 if you go to 6.5 or lower you take the chance of it turning to mush and clogging things up. I leave my BPM to about 35 BPM and let my controller do the work, a faster bubble rate will not be bad, I found it better for me if I keep the BPM to a lower rate.

spongebobby · 04/28/2007, 06:32 PM

I don't have a bubble counter on the regulator. Can I count the bubbles on the clear tube on the reactor itself?

TCU Reefer · 04/28/2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spongebobby
I don't have a bubble counter on the regulator. Can I count the bubbles on the clear tube on the reactor itself?

Yes you can but the bubble count is just a general rule of thumb.

spongebobby · 04/29/2007, 07:14 AM

Tested my Alk this morning and it has gone up to 11.2 dkh from 10.6 yesterday. I decreased my BPM slightly and left the effluent drip alone.

Should I make other changes?

gasman059 · 04/29/2007, 08:28 AM

slow and steady wins this battle.
wait 24-48 hrs before any other changes.

04/27/2007, 07:21 PM	#1
spongebobby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S.E.M.O Posts: 880	GEO 6x18 Calc Reactor settings??? I just hooked up my new reactor and have a few questions. I have the Reef Fanatic regulator & solenoid which is running through a Pinpoint PH controller. It is reading at a constant 6.56 and the effluent is at about 70ml a min. BPM is at roughly 90. Does this sound like a good starting point to run or should I adjust the BPM/ effluent drip rate. The solenoid has not turned off yet. Controller is set at 6.6 at high and 6.2 for low.Has been running for 3 hours. Just don't want to nuke my tank overnight. Thanks for the help __________________ 210 gal. mixed Reef Reeflo 200 PRO KIT 1 VORTECH MP40W Gen. 2 GEO Kalk Reactor Aquactinics 72" Constellation 300lbs Gulf-Keys-Fiji-Pukani LR 200 lbs. LS

04/27/2007, 07:32 PM	#2
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	I'll be interested in the answers that you get, my set up is very similar but I haven't got my Co2 tank filled yet. Have you tested your water yet? __________________ "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby

04/27/2007, 07:39 PM	#3
spongebobby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S.E.M.O Posts: 880	I tested the water before I set-up and alk was 10dkh and calc 435. __________________ 210 gal. mixed Reef Reeflo 200 PRO KIT 1 VORTECH MP40W Gen. 2 GEO Kalk Reactor Aquactinics 72" Constellation 300lbs Gulf-Keys-Fiji-Pukani LR 200 lbs. LS

04/27/2007, 09:26 PM	#5
spongebobby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S.E.M.O Posts: 880	I am using the ARM course media. So it's not unusual for the solenoid to not shut off? I will lower my effluent rate and let it run tonight. __________________ 210 gal. mixed Reef Reeflo 200 PRO KIT 1 VORTECH MP40W Gen. 2 GEO Kalk Reactor Aquactinics 72" Constellation 300lbs Gulf-Keys-Fiji-Pukani LR 200 lbs. LS

04/27/2007, 10:27 PM	#7
Markk96 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1	I would run the ARM media at 6.7 if you go to 6.5 or lower you take the chance of it turning to mush and clogging things up. I leave my BPM to about 35 BPM and let my controller do the work, a faster bubble rate will not be bad, I found it better for me if I keep the BPM to a lower rate. __________________ "Are you guys ready?" "Let's roll." Current Tank Info: Former 200 Gallon Oceanic Tank. 2 250W SE XM bulbs on Lumenarc Mini Reflectors. 2 Tunze 6100's and a Tunze wavebox. Now a JBJ 28 Gallon HQI Tank.

04/27/2007, 08:41 PM	#4
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	What type of media are you running? If you are running the larger Gen-X media, then you're probably about right on with your ph controller settings. If you're using the smaller ARM, Koralith, or Tropic Eden, then I would recommend going up to about 6.5 low and 7.0 high on the two far ends. You could increase your bubble rate some too. That will not hurt anything since your ph controller will be turning the solenoid on and off. The effluent sounds just a little high to me with your levels being at 435 and 10 right now. If you don't want to lower it, just keep a very close eye on your cal and dkh, testing at least every couple of days so you don't see the typical dkh spike. HTH

04/27/2007, 09:53 PM	#6
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	It's not unusual since you have such a close ratio of your effluent and bubble rate. If you decreased your effluent, and left your bubble rate the same, then the ph would start creeping down more quickly. Even with the media you are using though I would still recommend running the reactor at around 6.4 or 6.5 on the low end, and around 6.7 on the high end.

04/28/2007, 06:32 PM	#8
spongebobby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S.E.M.O Posts: 880	I don't have a bubble counter on the regulator. Can I count the bubbles on the clear tube on the reactor itself? __________________ 210 gal. mixed Reef Reeflo 200 PRO KIT 1 VORTECH MP40W Gen. 2 GEO Kalk Reactor Aquactinics 72" Constellation 300lbs Gulf-Keys-Fiji-Pukani LR 200 lbs. LS

04/29/2007, 07:14 AM	#10
spongebobby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S.E.M.O Posts: 880	Tested my Alk this morning and it has gone up to 11.2 dkh from 10.6 yesterday. I decreased my BPM slightly and left the effluent drip alone. Should I make other changes? __________________ 210 gal. mixed Reef Reeflo 200 PRO KIT 1 VORTECH MP40W Gen. 2 GEO Kalk Reactor Aquactinics 72" Constellation 300lbs Gulf-Keys-Fiji-Pukani LR 200 lbs. LS

04/29/2007, 08:28 AM	#11
gasman059 The OG mad scientist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SOFLA Posts: 10,308	slow and steady wins this battle. wait 24-48 hrs before any other changes. __________________ There's a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness". 1985-present Current Tank Info: Officially lurking!