Ph effects of calcium reactor??

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 10:40 AM

Can anyone tell me how much of an effect on tank ph a calcium reactor will have. Want to get one, but don't want to have to dose kalkwasser to offset this as i have read people are doing?? Am i totally screwed up here.

jnarowe · 12/14/2007, 11:34 AM

I had to add a kalk top-off too. but you could try just running your CO@ while the tank lights are on and you may find a sweet spot. But, as your reef grows, so will demand for Ca and then ultimately you will have to deal with the pH issue, IMO.

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 03:09 PM

Anyone else just run a calcium reactor and no kalkwassser

steve the plumb · 12/14/2007, 03:13 PM

some of the recirculating models are supposed to help with ph (don't affect it as bad)You can also run fresh air from outside into the room to help but if your ph is already low more than likely you will need kalk to raise it.You can also use the two part witch won't affect your ph.Its also much cheaper.

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 03:19 PM

i want to start keeping alot of sps and i am worried the 2 part will be more expensive than i want it to be.

rigleautomotive · 12/14/2007, 03:24 PM

a reactor is the way to go.randys two part will be tough to make now that there is bromide in dow.or just dose kalk with no reactor.that works also

jnarowe · 12/14/2007, 03:24 PM

you can make your own 2-part though. It's easy and cheap. I have to use a reactor because the size of my system.

So, do you connect calls on a phone system that radiates?

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 03:24 PM

don't i need an auto topoff for the kalkwasser?

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 03:25 PM

and i don't want to have to mix daily either

rigleautomotive · 12/14/2007, 03:26 PM

not really,a iv type drip worked for me for years before i got a dosing pump.

rigleautomotive · 12/14/2007, 03:27 PM

you can mix 10 gallons at a time and let it settle.that should last at least a couple days

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 04:25 PM

how long is it good for once you do mix it up, i don't have much room over my sump for a drip bag or anything though, i usually just dump water in about once every day or so, probably evaporate about 2 gallons a day

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 04:31 PM

jnarowe,
as a matter of fact i do connect phones that radiate.

i turn valves, operate pumps stuff like that

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 04:32 PM

jnarowe,
as a matter of fact i do connect phones that radiate.

i turn valves, operate pumps stuff like that. Biggest reason i am looking into the calcium reactor is i would like to get a bigger tank, approx 300 gallon display, use my 125 as sump and get frag tank, really want to up my sps content

jnarowe · 12/14/2007, 04:50 PM

then get a reactor, but keep in mind that its function will be limited unless you somehow offset the pH drop.

rigleautomotive · 12/14/2007, 07:33 PM

its good for at least a week,that is the longest i have had it mixed and still have a ph higher than 12.with a ph of 12 or greater it is pretty saturated

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 07:58 PM

jna,
do you use a kalk stirrer? or are you just mixing up batches of it? i want the easiest, most economical way to do this

steve the plumb · 12/14/2007, 07:59 PM

you make your own to part.Get a doser unit to do the 2 part.You can also get a triple doser to do kalk water and the 2 part.

skrappie1 · 12/14/2007, 08:04 PM

how do you make your own two part? How much does a doser run?

jnarowe · 12/14/2007, 09:01 PM

Ca reactor+ and kalk stirrer.

Better shot of the stirrer:

skrappie1 · 12/15/2007, 01:15 PM

Thanks for info, wish i had room for a 1000 gallon, maybe someday, trying to convince the wife we need to move into a house with basement. I am sure if i did that i would drive myself to the poor house though.

jnarowe · 12/15/2007, 02:08 PM

don't talk crazy...THIS won't make you poor, your wife will!

skrappie1 · 12/15/2007, 08:44 PM

I think we make each other poor. Always said that i was better at spending money than making it.

moo0o · 12/15/2007, 10:34 PM

people are directing their effluent into the skimmer, heard that helps with excess co2.

jnarowe · 12/15/2007, 11:00 PM

That is true.

12/14/2007, 10:40 AM	#1
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	Ph effects of calcium reactor?? Can anyone tell me how much of an effect on tank ph a calcium reactor will have. Want to get one, but don't want to have to dose kalkwasser to offset this as i have read people are doing?? Am i totally screwed up here.

12/14/2007, 11:34 AM	#2
jnarowe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 14,710	I had to add a kalk top-off too. but you could try just running your CO@ while the tank lights are on and you may find a sweet spot. But, as your reef grows, so will demand for Ca and then ultimately you will have to deal with the pH issue, IMO. __________________ Jonathan--Recovering Tankaholic. Current Tank Info: 70g fresh planted

12/14/2007, 03:24 PM	#6
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	a reactor is the way to go.randys two part will be tough to make now that there is bromide in dow.or just dose kalk with no reactor.that works also __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

12/14/2007, 03:24 PM	#7
jnarowe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 14,710	you can make your own 2-part though. It's easy and cheap. I have to use a reactor because the size of my system. So, do you connect calls on a phone system that radiates? __________________ Jonathan--Recovering Tankaholic. Current Tank Info: 70g fresh planted

12/14/2007, 03:26 PM	#10
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	not really,a iv type drip worked for me for years before i got a dosing pump. __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

12/14/2007, 03:09 PM	#3
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	Anyone else just run a calcium reactor and no kalkwassser

12/14/2007, 03:13 PM	#4
steve the plumb Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,664	some of the recirculating models are supposed to help with ph (don't affect it as bad)You can also run fresh air from outside into the room to help but if your ph is already low more than likely you will need kalk to raise it.You can also use the two part witch won't affect your ph.Its also much cheaper.

12/14/2007, 03:19 PM	#5
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	i want to start keeping alot of sps and i am worried the 2 part will be more expensive than i want it to be.

12/14/2007, 03:25 PM	#9
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	and i don't want to have to mix daily either

12/14/2007, 03:27 PM	#11
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	you can mix 10 gallons at a time and let it settle.that should last at least a couple days __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

12/14/2007, 04:25 PM	#12
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	how long is it good for once you do mix it up, i don't have much room over my sump for a drip bag or anything though, i usually just dump water in about once every day or so, probably evaporate about 2 gallons a day

12/14/2007, 04:31 PM	#13
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	jnarowe, as a matter of fact i do connect phones that radiate. i turn valves, operate pumps stuff like that

12/14/2007, 04:32 PM	#14
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	jnarowe, as a matter of fact i do connect phones that radiate. i turn valves, operate pumps stuff like that. Biggest reason i am looking into the calcium reactor is i would like to get a bigger tank, approx 300 gallon display, use my 125 as sump and get frag tank, really want to up my sps content

12/14/2007, 04:50 PM	#15
jnarowe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 14,710	then get a reactor, but keep in mind that its function will be limited unless you somehow offset the pH drop. __________________ Jonathan--Recovering Tankaholic. Current Tank Info: 70g fresh planted

12/14/2007, 07:33 PM	#16
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	its good for at least a week,that is the longest i have had it mixed and still have a ph higher than 12.with a ph of 12 or greater it is pretty saturated __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

12/14/2007, 07:58 PM	#17
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	jna, do you use a kalk stirrer? or are you just mixing up batches of it? i want the easiest, most economical way to do this

12/14/2007, 07:59 PM	#18
steve the plumb Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,664	you make your own to part.Get a doser unit to do the 2 part.You can also get a triple doser to do kalk water and the 2 part.

12/14/2007, 08:04 PM	#19
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	how do you make your own two part? How much does a doser run?

12/14/2007, 09:01 PM	#20
jnarowe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 14,710	Ca reactor+ and kalk stirrer. Better shot of the stirrer: __________________ Jonathan--Recovering Tankaholic. Current Tank Info: 70g fresh planted

12/15/2007, 01:15 PM	#21
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	Thanks for info, wish i had room for a 1000 gallon, maybe someday, trying to convince the wife we need to move into a house with basement. I am sure if i did that i would drive myself to the poor house though.

12/15/2007, 02:08 PM	#22
jnarowe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 14,710	don't talk crazy...THIS won't make you poor, your wife will! __________________ Jonathan--Recovering Tankaholic. Current Tank Info: 70g fresh planted

12/15/2007, 08:44 PM	#23
skrappie1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: coloma, michigan Posts: 125	I think we make each other poor. Always said that i was better at spending money than making it.

12/15/2007, 10:34 PM	#24
moo0o Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SJ,CA Posts: 1,694	people are directing their effluent into the skimmer, heard that helps with excess co2.

12/15/2007, 11:00 PM	#25
jnarowe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 14,710	That is true. __________________ Jonathan--Recovering Tankaholic. Current Tank Info: 70g fresh planted