calcium reactor-using 2nd chamber with dolomite to raise mag levels

wet reefer · 01/24/2009, 09:43 PM

I'll be setting up a calcium reactor soon and have an old skimmer I can use as a 2nd chamber. From what I have read here it will help raise PH levels in the effluent. Would using dolomite increase mag levels and help raise PH? Maybe a mix of dolomite and aragonite? At what PH does dolomite dissolve?

I have also read that using a 2nd chamber could actually reduce calcium and alkalinity via precipitation in the chamber.

I'm more concerned about raising calcium, alk and hopefully magnesium than the effluent PH. I have a ton of circulation in my sump and tanks to blow off Co2.

Can anybody using this method give me some insite?

The reactor (8"x12") is probably a bit undersized for my system (around 500G). Any tips on sqeezing as much out it as posible?

Thank you.

bertoni · 01/24/2009, 11:34 PM

Dolomite is harder to dissolve than aragonite, so I don't think it'll do very well in a second chamber. The Zeo magnesium media might be fine in the first chamber.

madadi · 01/25/2009, 06:42 AM

in my experience, 15-20% dolomite in the first chamber is enough to maintain magnesium usually. and yes, like bertoni said, first chamber is where you most likely want it since its harder to dissolve then calcium and it needs a lower pH.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/25/2009, 08:44 AM

FWIW, do not try to use dolomite to raise magnesium, only to maintain it. If you boost magnesium with it, alkalinity would go through the roof.

wet reefer · 01/25/2009, 09:11 AM

I'll give it a try at about 15% and see how it goes. Are there any negative effects from using dolomite I should keep an eye on?

I have been trying to search the subject on RC but I have never been able to get it to work. ;D

Thanks guys.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/25/2009, 11:00 AM

Assuming you have an appropriate amount being used, there are no big concerns.

wet reefer · 01/25/2009, 11:54 AM

thanks guys.

Mike O'Brien · 01/25/2009, 12:06 PM

IMO 5-10% is plenty.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/25/2009, 04:37 PM

thanks guys.

Good luck.

01/24/2009, 09:43 PM	#1
wet reefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Valley City, Ohio Posts: 298	calcium reactor-using 2nd chamber with dolomite to raise mag levels I'll be setting up a calcium reactor soon and have an old skimmer I can use as a 2nd chamber. From what I have read here it will help raise PH levels in the effluent. Would using dolomite increase mag levels and help raise PH? Maybe a mix of dolomite and aragonite? At what PH does dolomite dissolve? I have also read that using a 2nd chamber could actually reduce calcium and alkalinity via precipitation in the chamber. I'm more concerned about raising calcium, alk and hopefully magnesium than the effluent PH. I have a ton of circulation in my sump and tanks to blow off Co2. Can anybody using this method give me some insite? The reactor (8"x12") is probably a bit undersized for my system (around 500G). Any tips on sqeezing as much out it as posible? Thank you. __________________ A man who thinks he knows everything knows nothing at all. Current Tank Info: 55 and 135 in wall sps reef, 110 mixed reef, 55,40,135 frag, 55 cube fuge-all to a 100G central sump, 125 SW FO

01/24/2009, 11:34 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Dolomite is harder to dissolve than aragonite, so I don't think it'll do very well in a second chamber. The Zeo magnesium media might be fine in the first chamber. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/25/2009, 06:42 AM	#3
madadi ReefOG Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Morton grove, IL Posts: 3,976	in my experience, 15-20% dolomite in the first chamber is enough to maintain magnesium usually. and yes, like bertoni said, first chamber is where you most likely want it since its harder to dissolve then calcium and it needs a lower pH. __________________ -~adrian~- LETS TRADE YUMAS Current Tank Info: Glass box.

01/25/2009, 08:44 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	FWIW, do not try to use dolomite to raise magnesium, only to maintain it. If you boost magnesium with it, alkalinity would go through the roof. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/25/2009, 09:11 AM	#5
wet reefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Valley City, Ohio Posts: 298	I'll give it a try at about 15% and see how it goes. Are there any negative effects from using dolomite I should keep an eye on? I have been trying to search the subject on RC but I have never been able to get it to work. ;D Thanks guys. __________________ A man who thinks he knows everything knows nothing at all. Current Tank Info: 55 and 135 in wall sps reef, 110 mixed reef, 55,40,135 frag, 55 cube fuge-all to a 100G central sump, 125 SW FO

01/25/2009, 11:00 AM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Assuming you have an appropriate amount being used, there are no big concerns. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/25/2009, 11:54 AM	#7
wet reefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Valley City, Ohio Posts: 298	thanks guys. __________________ A man who thinks he knows everything knows nothing at all. Current Tank Info: 55 and 135 in wall sps reef, 110 mixed reef, 55,40,135 frag, 55 cube fuge-all to a 100G central sump, 125 SW FO

01/25/2009, 12:06 PM	#8
Mike O'Brien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,356	IMO 5-10% is plenty.

01/25/2009, 04:37 PM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	thanks guys. Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef