What's the PH inside your calcium reactor?

Tyler Durden · 10/15/2009, 02:01 AM

I set up my Geo calcium reactor today. I have the regulator hooked up to an Aquacontroller Jr. I'm running ARM coarse media. I set the PH between 6.60 and 6.65. Does that sound right? Should I shoot for higher? Lower?

Thanks!

Orochimaru · 10/15/2009, 06:55 AM

depends on the media that you're using. Arm dissolve around that pH. Some might requires 6.4 but 6.6 is about right.

Capt_Cully · 10/15/2009, 07:09 AM

I keep mine 6.6-6.8

cakemanPA · 10/15/2009, 08:10 AM

6.8 was perfect in my Geos 618. It allowed the media to release ca without turning the media to mush.

arredondojason · 10/15/2009, 09:08 AM

i keep mine at 6.5 with a ph controller

Michael · 10/15/2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arredondojason

i keep mine at 6.5 with a ph controller

me too

Tyler Durden · 10/15/2009, 01:55 PM

Hey for some reason I can't get the PH to drop below 7.10. Does anyone know if this might be a problem with the Aquacontroller Jr. and PH probe? Will it not read below 7.10? I dumped a ton of CO2 and it didn't lower the PH at all.

elecbzerk · 10/15/2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

Hey for some reason I can't get the PH to drop below 7.10. Does anyone know if this might be a problem with the Aquacontroller Jr. and PH probe? Will it not read below 7.10? I dumped a ton of CO2 and it didn't lower the PH at all.

How long has it been since you calibrated your PH probe?

thefu · 10/15/2009, 02:12 PM

what is your effluent rate in ml/min? You may be passing it through the reactor too fast.

Untamed12 · 10/15/2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefu

what is your effluent rate in ml/min? You may be passing it through the reactor too fast.

+1

Tyler Durden · 10/15/2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elecbzerk

How long has it been since you calibrated your PH probe?

Never. I should probably do that.

Tyler Durden · 10/15/2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefu

what is your effluent rate in ml/min? You may be passing it through the reactor too fast.

I'm at about 9 ml/min.

thefu · 10/15/2009, 02:50 PM

calibrate the ph probe. If your effluent is <6.8 and the rate is 9 ml/min then something is wrong...most likely that ph reading...but, what is the bubble rate. turn your bubble rate up to 1 bubble per second and then see if it drops.

Tyler Durden · 10/15/2009, 02:59 PM

My bubble rate was actually much higher. I turned it down to a little over a bubble a second.

My PH reading is now 7.08. I think I'll claibrate the probe.

Tyler Durden · 10/15/2009, 03:38 PM

WOOWWWWW My PH probe was WAY off. I'm showing 6.2!!!

RokleM · 10/16/2009, 06:57 AM

Some discrepancies in this thread.

The important thing in the first post is ARM coarse media. Anyone recommending higher pH with this media either did not see that or likely has a somewhat inefficient reactor currently.

The large grain media (GenX, large ARM, etc) can be run at quite a bit lower pH than the small grain (small grain ARM). Although there is some variance, in the 6.4-6.6 range large does well. Most of the smaller seems to do pretty well in the 6.6-6.8 range.

I agree that ensuring your pH controller/monitor is correct. Make sure you're setting it up using lower pH solution as well (4-7 would work better than 7-10 like we use in display tanks).

Peter Eichler · 10/16/2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RokleM

Some discrepancies in this thread.

The important thing in the first post is ARM coarse media. Anyone recommending higher pH with this media either did not see that or likely has a somewhat inefficient reactor currently.

The large grain media (GenX, large ARM, etc) can be run at quite a bit lower pH than the small grain (small grain ARM). Although there is some variance, in the 6.4-6.6 range large does well. Most of the smaller seems to do pretty well in the 6.6-6.8 range.

I agree that ensuring your pH controller/monitor is correct. Make sure you're setting it up using lower pH solution as well (4-7 would work better than 7-10 like we use in display tanks).

And I'd say anyone recommending starting out lower than 6.8 in a Geo reactor with ARM corse media doesn't own a Geo reactor

6.4-6.6 in a Geo reactor is a VERY high demand system with the typical effluent levels. Also, that would make the reactor more efficient if you have to use less CO2 to achieve the same results...

Peter Eichler · 10/16/2009, 08:05 AM

Anyways, I see you do own a Geo reactor and that you probably do have a high demand system. I've got a pretty high demand system not much smaller than yours and run 6.8 with the large arm media and I know of several others in the same range. At least starting out I would aim for lower than that, it's better to start high and go lower IMO.

Tajjo · 10/16/2009, 08:29 AM

6.5 here I have the geo 618

bexi20 · 10/16/2009, 08:40 AM

ph 6.7, geo 618

cakemanPA · 10/16/2009, 09:15 AM

With my Geo 618, I agree... I used ARM coarse media. When I calibrated incorrectly and ran my ph lower than 6.8, I turned the media to mush. At 6.8 and proper drip rate, my levels stayed perfect

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Eichler

And I'd say anyone recommending starting out lower than 6.8 in a Geo reactor with ARM corse media doesn't own a Geo reactor

6.4-6.6 in a Geo reactor is a VERY high demand system with the typical effluent levels. Also, that would make the reactor more efficient if you have to use less CO2 to achieve the same results...

RokleM · 10/16/2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Eichler

And I'd say anyone recommending starting out lower than 6.8 in a Geo reactor with ARM corse media doesn't own a Geo reactor

6.4-6.6 in a Geo reactor is a VERY high demand system with the typical effluent levels. Also, that would make the reactor more efficient if you have to use less CO2 to achieve the same results...

Debatable

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakemanPA

With my Geo 618, I agree... I used ARM coarse media. When I calibrated incorrectly and ran my ph lower than 6.8, I turned the media to mush. At 6.8 and proper drip rate, my levels stayed perfect

How much lower than 6.8? That's not really anywhere near the danger range for large grain.

Again, we're talking some generalities here, reactor, tank size, or demand aside. Pretty much everything I've read and personally tested over the years states in general running a lower pH on the larger media is the way to go. It takes a lower pH to properly dissolve the media effectively. The problem is, so many people are responding to these types of posts and not even considering the type of media they or the OP is using (no offense to those in this thread, it's just a frequent trend right now).

cakemanPA · 10/16/2009, 09:26 AM

Doubt what you want... I recalibrated and then also tested with another source. Good to know Roklm that you saw my setup to discount my experience

RokleM · 10/16/2009, 09:33 AM

cakemanPA, I'm not attempting to personally discredit you. I'm just saying that I have never heard of anyone melting the large grain media at 6.8. I've ran the arm large grain down to 6.4-6.5 for extended periods without any sign of melting (and I broke down the reactor and felt the media). I run a 618 myself as well.

sanababit · 10/16/2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

I set up my Geo calcium reactor today. I have the regulator hooked up to an Aquacontroller Jr. I'm running ARM coarse media. I set the PH between 6.60 and 6.65. Does that sound right? Should I shoot for higher? Lower?

Thanks!

that is the same value i have in my calcium reactor

sana

10/15/2009, 02:01 AM	#1
Tyler Durden Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 113	What's the PH inside your calcium reactor? I set up my Geo calcium reactor today. I have the regulator hooked up to an Aquacontroller Jr. I'm running ARM coarse media. I set the PH between 6.60 and 6.65. Does that sound right? Should I shoot for higher? Lower? Thanks!

10/15/2009, 06:55 AM	#2
Orochimaru 1 of 3 legendary ninjas Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Leaf Village of OC Posts: 3,324	depends on the media that you're using. Arm dissolve around that pH. Some might requires 6.4 but 6.6 is about right. __________________ Gintama, episode 118 = "Live an honest life even if your back is crooked." STD(s) are not Pokemons, you don't have to catch them all!

10/15/2009, 07:09 AM	#3
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	I keep mine 6.6-6.8 __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

10/16/2009, 06:57 AM	#16
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Some discrepancies in this thread. The important thing in the first post is ARM coarse media. Anyone recommending higher pH with this media either did not see that or likely has a somewhat inefficient reactor currently. The large grain media (GenX, large ARM, etc) can be run at quite a bit lower pH than the small grain (small grain ARM). Although there is some variance, in the 6.4-6.6 range large does well. Most of the smaller seems to do pretty well in the 6.6-6.8 range. I agree that ensuring your pH controller/monitor is correct. Make sure you're setting it up using lower pH solution as well (4-7 would work better than 7-10 like we use in display tanks). __________________ -Eric-

10/16/2009, 08:29 AM	#19
Tajjo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 1,039	6.5 here I have the geo 618 __________________ Expect the worst and hope for the best! Current Tank Info: 75 gal display, 40 breeder sump. 1 Tunze 6105, 1 Maxi Jet mod, octopuss nw 200, 618 GEO calcium reactor, 2 250w mh icecap pendant with icecap ballast, pheonix bulbs, with 4 t5 VHO actinic

10/15/2009, 08:10 AM	#4
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	6.8 was perfect in my Geos 618. It allowed the media to release ca without turning the media to mush.

10/15/2009, 09:08 AM	#5
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	i keep mine at 6.5 with a ph controller

10/15/2009, 01:55 PM	#7
Tyler Durden Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 113	Hey for some reason I can't get the PH to drop below 7.10. Does anyone know if this might be a problem with the Aquacontroller Jr. and PH probe? Will it not read below 7.10? I dumped a ton of CO2 and it didn't lower the PH at all.

10/15/2009, 02:12 PM	#9
thefu Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 199	what is your effluent rate in ml/min? You may be passing it through the reactor too fast.

10/15/2009, 02:50 PM	#13
thefu Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 199	calibrate the ph probe. If your effluent is <6.8 and the rate is 9 ml/min then something is wrong...most likely that ph reading...but, what is the bubble rate. turn your bubble rate up to 1 bubble per second and then see if it drops.

10/15/2009, 02:59 PM	#14
Tyler Durden Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 113	My bubble rate was actually much higher. I turned it down to a little over a bubble a second. My PH reading is now 7.08. I think I'll claibrate the probe.

10/15/2009, 03:38 PM	#15
Tyler Durden Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 113	WOOWWWWW My PH probe was WAY off. I'm showing 6.2!!!

10/16/2009, 08:05 AM	#18
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	Anyways, I see you do own a Geo reactor and that you probably do have a high demand system. I've got a pretty high demand system not much smaller than yours and run 6.8 with the large arm media and I know of several others in the same range. At least starting out I would aim for lower than that, it's better to start high and go lower IMO.

10/16/2009, 08:40 AM	#20
bexi20 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 82	ph 6.7, geo 618

10/16/2009, 09:26 AM	#23
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	Doubt what you want... I recalibrated and then also tested with another source. Good to know Roklm that you saw my setup to discount my experience

10/16/2009, 09:33 AM	#24
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	cakemanPA, I'm not attempting to personally discredit you. I'm just saying that I have never heard of anyone melting the large grain media at 6.8. I've ran the arm large grain down to 6.4-6.5 for extended periods without any sign of melting (and I broke down the reactor and felt the media). I run a 618 myself as well. __________________ -Eric-