Question regarding Ca reactor

AcanLord · 09/17/2006, 06:57 PM

Need some info on setting calcium reactor.
Can you have ARM media in the main chamber and Koralith media in the second reactor? If so, what should the effluent PH set at? Or is this not a good idea?
Thanks

jdieck · 09/17/2006, 08:59 PM

Yes you can but I would do it the other way around, Koralith in the main chamber and ARM in the secondary chamber. Koralith require lower PH that ARM to dissolve so you want ARM at the end to make it easier to remove excess CO2.

AcanLord · 09/17/2006, 10:20 PM

jdieck
Thanks. What PH should I look for from the second chamber?

jdieck · 09/17/2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AcanLord
jdieck
Thanks. What PH should I look for from the second chamber?

If you will use a controller you need to measure and adjust the PH of the first chamber to have enough responsiveness to properly control the CO2. If you set your controller to control the PH output of the second chamber a change in the CO2 bubble rate takes too long to result in a change in output PH so the controller action will be delayed so much that the PH in first chamber will swing too far.
Depending on the media and the alkalinity requirements the PH of the first chamber is set between 6.5 for ARM; 6.4 for Koralith or Shuran Media (for heavy Alk consumption) and 6.9 ( for light consumption).

The PH of the second chamber is somehow irrelevant control wise, it is usually 0.2 to 0.3 points higher than the PH of the first chamber.
If you have no means of testing or controlling the PH of the first chamber you can either install a PH probe sump in between first or second chambers (Drawing Below) or you could use the effluent output PH but try adjusting it manually to keep your level and use the controller just as a safety.

AcanLord · 09/19/2006, 12:15 AM

Wow. This ready helps. Great info. Thanks

jdieck · 09/19/2006, 12:23 AM

Enjoy!

naka · 09/19/2006, 09:00 AM

Jose, your explanations are always right on the money. I can't say enough how many times you blew me away with your EXPERT advice and answers.

Thanks,

James

jdieck · 09/19/2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by naka
Jose, your explanations are always right on the money. I can't say enough how many times you blew me away with your EXPERT advice and answers.

Thanks,

James

Thanks! How much I owe you?

09/17/2006, 06:57 PM	#1
AcanLord Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 68	Question regarding Ca reactor Need some info on setting calcium reactor. Can you have ARM media in the main chamber and Koralith media in the second reactor? If so, what should the effluent PH set at? Or is this not a good idea? Thanks

09/17/2006, 08:59 PM	#2
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Yes you can but I would do it the other way around, Koralith in the main chamber and ARM in the secondary chamber. Koralith require lower PH that ARM to dissolve so you want ARM at the end to make it easier to remove excess CO2. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

09/19/2006, 12:23 AM	#6
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Enjoy! __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

09/17/2006, 10:20 PM	#3
AcanLord Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 68	jdieck Thanks. What PH should I look for from the second chamber?

09/19/2006, 12:15 AM	#5
AcanLord Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 68	Wow. This ready helps. Great info. Thanks

09/19/2006, 09:00 AM	#7
naka Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,544	Jose, your explanations are always right on the money. I can't say enough how many times you blew me away with your EXPERT advice and answers. Thanks, James