Kalk reactors, co2 reactors, etc.

[Dez]

I've found that since running my reactor, I too have had some unwanted algae pop up. It's frustrating. I have had my kalk reactor off line and that's when it happened. My ph is 8.3 tops and 8.03 before my lights kick it. My calcium is at 420, alk at 3.2meq/l... should I start running kalk again?

[Canadian Man]

Originally Posted by Dez

I've found that since running my reactor, I too have had some unwanted algae pop up. It's frustrating. I have had my kalk reactor off line and that's when it happened. My ph is 8.3 tops and 8.03 before my lights kick it. My calcium is at 420, alk at 3.2meq/l... should I start running kalk again?

Run your refugium on a reverse light cycle Dez. Give that a try

[Doug]

The only way the kalk will help with the algae, is to allow for a smaller use of co2 in the co2 reactor, as the kalk will take up some of the load. It will also help in the removal of some phosphate.

I sometimes wonder if the RDP light cycle is all its cracked up to be. I never see any difference running my scrubber lights on RDP, which I do however. I do try to get my reactor effluent to drip as close to the scrubber feed pump as possible. As mentioned, nothing removes excess co2 like algae. Could one not run the effluent through a refugium first?

Also, I have decided to leave my co2 reactor running and just waiting on another Maxi Jet ph to arrive, to start my kalk reactor up as well.

[Dez]

I don't have enough room to run another timer for reverse lighting, so my refugium is on my regular light cycle. I am dripping the effluent into the refugium though.....we'll see though....argh, hair algae..

[Canadian Man]

Originally Posted by Doug Lowey

The only way the kalk will help with the algae, is to allow for a smaller use of co2 in the co2 reactor, as the kalk will take up some of the load. It will also help in the removal of some phosphate.

I sometimes wonder if the RDP light cycle is all its cracked up to be. I never see any difference running my scrubber lights on RDP, which I do however. I do try to get my reactor effluent to drip as close to the scrubber feed pump as possible. As mentioned, nothing removes excess co2 like algae. Could one not run the effluent through a refugium first?

Also, I have decided to leave my co2 reactor running and just waiting on another Maxi Jet ph to arrive, to start my kalk reactor up as well.

I can't say Doug that one may notice a diffrence with regards to the amount of algae but I find if I don't run my refugium on reverse light I get a larger ph swing at night. My refugium is lit by a 175w halide though. so it's got some pretty intense light at night.

Come on Des You can stuff one more timer in behind that tank!

[stephane]

Some update on the reactor

after a couple of month of use my alkalinity is very good around 13 DKH
and calcium 400 they both are realy stable BUT the PH is a realy big worry now and my grow have realy realy slow down to a point some coral
have tissue regression

the PH in the morning is 7.94 and afternoon at 8.07 I realy can't get it up

I realy begin to tink my old kalkwasser reactor was realy best ting and I realy tink I will put the CO2 reactor in the closet soon if I dont see any improvement in the healt of the reef

I have not yet star my experimentation with borate Hydroxide cause I just came back from holyday but if the borate dont bring back my PH more higher the reactor will go in the closet realy soon

Kalkwaser have alway be a succes method for me and it proove to me again new method are not alway best and sometime we should keep our old secret