What is the right way to setup a Geo Calcium Reactor with a PH contoller?

[raynist]

I think I am doing it wrong. I have alk swings all of the time.

Here is what I have:

Geo 624 with an Aquarium Plants Electronic CO2 Reg. PH is controlled by my ACJR.

I have my drip rate really low, like a bit more than one drip a second. I keep the PH between 6.4 and 6.5 with the controller.

My alk swings all over the place and I think part of the problem is it is pretty hard to keep a consistent drip rate that low. I have lost quite a few acro's over the last few months and am about to give up on a Calcium reactor and go back to two part.

Should I up my drip rate considerably for a more consistent flow and then tune the reactor by changing the PH level in the reactor?

I have been tuning it by trying to change the drip rate which is pretty hard to fine tune.

Thanks
Ray Nist

[raynist]

Bump

[NitroxBreather]

For what its worth. On my 250
Geo 624

45-50 BMP
50/mil per minute

My alk. is pretty solid, maybe a 5ppm swing. I also used crush florida shell as my reactor media.

[NitroxBreather]

drip rate: I'm using the supplied valve but use a metric measuring cup to calculate my drip rate = mils per 60 secs.

[rdlisby]

I have struggled with mine as well; I found that keeping my PH in the reactor at 6.5 was way to low. The medial will dissolve at higher ph levels. So increased my effluent output to almost a stream but you can still make out the drops (if that makes sense) and increased the ph to 6.9. Now I test the effluent to make sure the Alkalinity level is not to high, I let that run and test the tank alkalinity to make sure it is not going thru the roof as well.

I tried to keep my PH that low with such a low output of effluent and I found my new GEO would get a build up of CO2. I have the same setup as you just a smaller GEO and the APEX controller. It is very frustrating, only because I prefer plug and play.

Hopes this helps, Ryan

[raynist]

Originally Posted by rdlisby

I have struggled with mine as well; I found that keeping my PH in the reactor at 6.5 was way to low. The medial will dissolve at higher ph levels. So increased my effluent output to almost a stream but you can still make out the drops (if that makes sense) and increased the ph to 6.9. Now I test the effluent to make sure the Alkalinity level is not to high, I let that run and test the tank alkalinity to make sure it is not going thru the roof as well.

I tried to keep my PH that low with such a low output of effluent and I found my new GEO would get a build up of CO2. I have the same setup as you just a smaller GEO and the APEX controller. It is very frustrating, only because I prefer plug and play.

Hopes this helps, Ryan

Thanks, this helps a lot!

[Rizup]

What are you using as a feed pump? I found that until I used a MaxiJet 1200, I was unable to keep a stable effluent rate. The Aqualifter I was trying before didn't have enough pressure to work correctly.

I think my effluent rate is either 30 or 50 ml/min. Can't remember right now. Keeps the alk rock solid. My reactor is way oversized for my tank, so I run the pH in the reactor between 6.85 and 6.90.

[raynist]

I am using a mj1200.

[Rizup]

Well then . . . . . .