[reefburnaby]

Hi,

I am not sure, but that bubble counter water level shouldn't be there. The entire hose and the counter should be filled with water. Shouldn't it ?

You could put the CO2 inlet at the water inlet of the MAG. This ensure the big CO2 bubble is scattered and easily dissolves in to the water. There will be a bit of CO2 at the top of the canister, but this won't affect performance.

You could also put the water inlet on the inlet of the pump. Its not a biggy, but it means you'll need more water pressure on the RO inlet. (BTW, it is fairly unusual for a calcium reactor to use RO directly ? RO as in reverse oz or top off water. Are you sure this is right ? ). Anyway...just a minor point.

You could also turn the MAG on its side (or rotate the impeller housing 90 degs) so that you avoid that nasty 180 turn.

As for what dissolves better ... RO or salt water. It should be salt water. This is because salt water natually has a higher pH or less H+ ions. The more H+ ions you have, the more acidic the water becomes. By dissolving CO2 in to water, you would form carbonic acid (similar to mineral water, coke and other bubbly beverages). Carbonic acid is a weak acid, so there is a limited amount of acidity (pH) that carbonic acid can have. Since salt water has less H+ to start with, it needs more CO2 injected to the salt water in order for it get to the same acidic level.

- Victor.