Calcium reactor setup without a ph probe in the reactor - how to?

Kahuna · 03/05/2011, 05:35 PM

I've searched the threads here and can't find it, but I know there's a way to set up a calcium reactor without using a ph probe in the reactor, only in the tank. The system is set up to use a test kit to check your ph and alk from the reactor, and when it's at a certain level, you leave the bubble count alone and the output alone. The CO2 stays on all of the time in this scenario, and you kill the solenoid power and feed pump power only if the tank ph range gets out of whack. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Kev

HerbieK · 03/05/2011, 05:46 PM

I have my reactor effluent running into a cup with the PH probe in it. Actually, I have a test tube like small sleeve that I have the probe in, and this overflows into the cup, which overflows into the tank. The PH I am measuring should be very close to that of the reactor.

Hope this helps.

Herb

sirreal63 · 03/05/2011, 10:04 PM

A calcium reactor does not control the ph in the tank, it maintains the alk and calcium and to some degree, trace elements. It can reduce the ph but does not always do so. The ph probe does not measure alkalinity. You can drip the effluent into a cup and measure the ph of that, which does work, though not as efficiently as monitoring inside the reactor. The scenario you are proposing defeats the purpose of a properly tuned calcium reactor, which is maintain the alk and calcium at a certain level.

I would love to help but I do not understand what you are trying to achieve?

03/05/2011, 05:35 PM	#1
Kahuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Armpit O' the Midwest Posts: 268	Calcium reactor setup without a ph probe in the reactor - how to? I've searched the threads here and can't find it, but I know there's a way to set up a calcium reactor without using a ph probe in the reactor, only in the tank. The system is set up to use a test kit to check your ph and alk from the reactor, and when it's at a certain level, you leave the bubble count alone and the output alone. The CO2 stays on all of the time in this scenario, and you kill the solenoid power and feed pump power only if the tank ph range gets out of whack. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Kev

03/05/2011, 10:04 PM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	A calcium reactor does not control the ph in the tank, it maintains the alk and calcium and to some degree, trace elements. It can reduce the ph but does not always do so. The ph probe does not measure alkalinity. You can drip the effluent into a cup and measure the ph of that, which does work, though not as efficiently as monitoring inside the reactor. The scenario you are proposing defeats the purpose of a properly tuned calcium reactor, which is maintain the alk and calcium at a certain level. I would love to help but I do not understand what you are trying to achieve? __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

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03/05/2011, 05:46 PM	#2
HerbieK Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kendall Park, NJ Posts: 253	I have my reactor effluent running into a cup with the PH probe in it. Actually, I have a test tube like small sleeve that I have the probe in, and this overflows into the cup, which overflows into the tank. The PH I am measuring should be very close to that of the reactor. Hope this helps. Herb