Cal reactor and raising cal w/o raising kh

[T-Boner]

I have a 180 with a 100 rubbermaid and 65 gal frag tank all running as one system full of mostly sps I run a geo 16 cal reactor my question is how can I raise the cal with out raising the kh? Right now my cal is 340 and my kh is 13 if I turn up the drip rate on the reactor it raises cal but also shoots my kh up to 17 or even at one time 21. What am I doing wrong? Or what can I do different? Thanks!!

[TheH]

You'll have to use a supplement, there is no way to do this with a calcium reactor.

[T-Boner]

So what good is the reactor for then? What does a cal reactor do? I have a gal of reef complete I use from time to time.

[saltcrazy]

i had the same prob trying to raise ca levels without increasing kh using a ca reactor. my kh shot thru the roof when i was able to reach the desired ca level. i learned that using ca supplement to raise to desired level, then maintain it using ca reactor. this method has worked great and now my ca and kh levels are at the levels that i want.

[HighlandReefer]

If you try to use a calcium reactor to raise your calcium level, the problem is that the reactor will raise your calcium level only about 7 ppm calcium for every 1 dKH of alk it raises. The reactor is good for maintaining your alk and calcium levels once they are where you want them. At that point the coral will utilize the alk and calcium at the same rate the reactor produces them. If your water needs adjustments, it is best to use calcium chloride to raise your calcium level and if your alk needs to be increased, use baking soda since it will not increase your pH. If your alk gets too high, you need to stop the reactor until your alk drops where you want it.

[RokleM]

What Cliff said

My similar response in your other thread.

Originally Posted by RokleM

A calcium reactor should be used to MAINTAIN parameters, not increase them. Typically you get your parameters in check with a large water change or preferably 2/3 part dosing, then tune your calcium reactor to keep up with the calc/alk depletion.

What salt are you using and what is your mag level?

[T-Boner]

Useing reefcrystals and mag is 1300

[bertoni]

A one-time dose of a calcium chloride product like Kent Turbo Calcium might be enough to keep the tank going for a few months. I agree that using the reactor is inappropriate in this situations.

That salt product is fine and the magnesium level is okay, although a low magnesium level won't cause a calcium problem, but rather a lot of calcium and alkalinity consumption.

[Engloid]

Originally Posted by bertoni

That salt product is fine and the magnesium level is okay, although a low magnesium level won't cause a calcium problem, but rather a lot of calcium and alkalinity consumption.

Is it a correct statement to say that if calcium and alkalinity consumption are not excessive, that magnesium is likely fine?

What I'm getting at here is that, being somewhat new to the hobby, magnesium is one of the test kits I don't have yet, and I'm investigating its role in the reef aquarium and how it works with the other chemicals....and therefore how important it is that I get one sooner...or maybe later.

[bertoni]

It's likely not drastically low. The magnesium might be high, if any has been dosed. I spent the money on the kit, but magnesium problems are fairly rare. It's a personal cost-benefit choice.

[Engloid]

Originally Posted by bertoni

It's likely not drastically low. The magnesium might be high, if any has been dosed. I spent the money on the kit, but magnesium problems are fairly rare. It's a personal cost-benefit choice.

That's what I thought...which is why I wasn't in a rush to get it. I will someday though. thanks

[T-Boner]

Ok thanks everyone I will get some cal sup and ya I was thinking that it was my corals sucking it up faster now with the fragtank up and full great growth on all corals