calcium reactor users

[FISHGUY4250]

im running a calcium reactor and im keeping my kh right at 8.3/8.5 but my calcium is high at 490/500 .. i dont want to keep this that high , i know the relation with calcium reactors but not sure what i can do to decrease calcium level and either maintain kh or increase kh and not increase calcium ??

thoughts / suggestions ??

[d2mini]

Get your levels in order using other dosing methods, turning your CaRx off.
Once your levels are where you want them, then run the CaRx.
Always use a CaRx to maintain, not change.

In your case, dose alk to maintain your current level but don't dose anything for calcium.
Do this until your calcium is down to around 420, then stop dosing alk and start up the reactor.

[jda]

Yup. Turn it off. Wait for it to go down on it's own. Supplement alk with baking soda if you have to. Then turn it back on.

FWIW - when I want to turn my reactor off, I typically unplug the solenoid or twist the bottle closed. This way I don't have to jack up the bubbles or drip and they go back once I turn it back on again.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by jda

FWIW - when I want to turn my reactor off, I typically unplug the solenoid or twist the bottle closed. This way I don't have to jack up the bubbles or drip and they go back once I turn it back on again.

yes, good point. Just turn off the co2. Keep the water flowing. You don't want the water in the reactor to get all nasty while waiting for your levels to even out.

[Boa1277]

Quick question, did you dose anything or are you currently adding anything to get the Calcium this high other than your reactor? Your Calcium and Mag should naturally fall if you are only using a reactor to maintain the big 3, unless you supplement the Reactor with Zeo Mag. It is a slow process but most of the time it definitely doesn't go up from just the reactor.

[FISHGUY4250]

Originally Posted by boa1277

quick question, did you dose anything or are you currently adding anything to get the calcium this high other than your reactor? Your calcium and mag should naturally fall if you are only using a reactor to maintain the big 3, unless you supplement the reactor with zeo mag. It is a slow process but most of the time it definitely doesn't go up from just the reactor.

thanks for the reply , no im not dosing anything at all just using the calcium reactor , i was using kalkwasser in a drip but stopped that well over a month ago .. Ill shut off the air to the reactor and let the calcium level come down .

I have a drip bucket already that i can use baking soda in for the time being

[jda]

If you are using a salt like Kent, Coralife and some others, this will just come back. I use IO and Tropic Marin to keep mine at 400-425 and 7-8.

[FISHGUY4250]

Originally Posted by jda

if you are using a salt like kent, coralife and some others, this will just come back. I use io and tropic marin to keep mine at 400-425 and 7-8.

yes i actually use coralife i buy a case of 4- 50 gal. Mix bags and do a 50 gal. Water change every 2 weeks ... Im in need of salt now so i guess ill switch brands DO YOU MIX THE BRANDS TOGETHER OR DO YOU JUST SWITCH EVERY OTHER TIME ?

thanks

[jda]

I use IO - 4 50 gal bags that mix perfectly in a 44G trash can. Best salt mix on the market IMO for consistency and solid NSW parameters. You can typically get it as cheap as you can get Kent or Coralife... at least you can around here. I really like Tropic Marin too, but it is REALLY expensive around here.

[FISHGUY4250]

Originally Posted by jda

i use io - 4 50 gal bags that mix perfectly in a 44g trash can. Best salt mix on the market imo for consistency and solid nsw parameters. You can typically get it as cheap as you can get kent or coralife... At least you can around here. I really like tropic marin too, but it is really expensive around here.

cool ... Thanks man !