Need some calcium reactor help! A LITTLE HELP WOULD BE NICE

Tarolisol · #1 11-03-2006, 06:04 PM

Im having trouble raising the Calcium levels in my tank and dont know how to adjust the reactor appopriatly.

The levels are as follows.

Tank:
PH 8.3
Alk 11dKH
Calc 220ppm

Reactor:
PH 6.6
Calc 420ppm

Now what should i adjust to raise the tank calcium?

BMW Rider · #2 11-03-2006, 07:24 PM

First, it looks like your alk and Ca levels are way off balance. I'd double check the tests, then if correct, dose a calcium suppliment to bring the Ca level up to at least 400. Also its important to have your Mg levels correct since it will affect the Ca and alk.

Once everything is at the correct balance, you can start tuning in the reactor. I'm running mine to maintain a Ph reading of between 6.8 - 7.0 in the reactor. You don't want to run the Ph too low as it could make the media break down and clog up. Alternatively if the Ph is too high, you won't get the media to dissolve enough. Then once the Ph is right, its just a matter of adjustinging the flow of water through it to reach the correct dosing for the tank. The tanks levels should remain balanced as the reactor supplies both Ca and alk as well as Mg. If the levels are dropping, then you need to increase the water flow through the reactor. You will need to make a proportionate increase in the CO2 to maintain the reactor Ph. If the levels climb, then cut back the flow and bubble count.

Delphinus · #3 11-03-2006, 07:29 PM

Ed's advice is on the money. Although you can change levels by dialing in your reactor differently, it's generally best to get the levels up to your targets by manual additions of dosing whatever, and then letting the reactor "maintain" those levels rather than "bring the tank up to" those levels (if that makes any sense).

vanreefer · #4 11-03-2006, 09:56 PM

I agree check the Mg level then adjust the Ca to desired levels and use the reactor to maintain levels

Tarolisol · #5 11-04-2006, 05:46 AM

I have been a little skeptical of my dKH test, so maybe ill buy a better brand and get back to everyone.

but say i dont have anything to supplement my calcium would that be a problem, i dont have any corals at the moment

also if i just adjust the rait of water entering my tank rom the calc reactor wouldnt that effect my PH of my tank?

support@proline · #6 11-04-2006, 06:34 AM

Sean ,what brand of test kits are you using?
Pay albert a visit he does have salifert & Elos Test kit ,KH test kits are usually pretty cheap does not matter what brand .Make sense to double check.
Don't worry once you figure how to dial the reactor ,they be easy to work with.
I think Ed & Tony have pointed you to the right direction.

Tarolisol · #7 11-04-2006, 03:07 PM

Yeah, i was just at golds yesturday and got the Elos Mg kit. I might just upgrade all my kits, i am using aqua pharmacuticals at the moment.

Tarolisol · #8 11-09-2006, 02:12 AM

Well, to keep up with this post.
My magnesium level is 1.100 or somthnig like that, not sure if thats good or bad.

Also i cant seem to bring my calcium up. Ive been adding argamilk for several days now but cant get it above 240ppm. My alk is at about 11-12dKH. Im beggining to think there is something wrong with my calcium kit, or can argamilk go bad.

Also my PH has been slightly increasing it has gone up to 8.45 from 8.3. Cant really explain this.

support@proline · #9 11-10-2006, 03:21 AM

Hi Sean
Just checking on how you doing with this?
your MG should be around 1300 to 1350 ppm, your low MG can cause some problems with the balance.
The Zeomag that you have comming to you can be just placed on the top of the media in the chamber ,stuff is very strong ,please use in the ratio of 10% zeomag to 90% aragonite media.
For a quick Mg fix you can use an additive.any brand will do .
what is your bubble / minute for co2
How many drops/ minute of effluent exits ,the reactor?
Sorry for late response ,but keep us posted please.

Pescador · #10 11-10-2006, 03:49 AM

Aragamilk won't bring your CA levels up. It is basically an aragonite slurry. You need a calcium supplement like Reef Complete (that has Mg as well) or the calcium part of a two part supplement.
Don't dose anything for your alk so it can fall and let your CA go up.
It could take a couple weeks to bring your level up until it's in balance with your alk and then your reactor will maintain it.
You can use a calcium supplement to raise your levels but to maintain them you have to use a balanced two part supplement or your reactor.