For those who run kalkreactors and calcium reactors..

[fishmaster]

Just to expand on the topic....Anyone using a kalk reactor mainly to help bring up the ph drop from their calcium reactor? I was under the impression that this is the main reason to run both.

[untamed]

Originally Posted by fishmaster

Just to expand on the topic....Anyone using a kalk reactor mainly to help bring up the ph drop from their calcium reactor? I was under the impression that this is the main reason to run both.

pH mainly drops at night. I've been trying to use my Kalk reactor to offset this drop. My Kalk reactor runs only at night, but so far it has not made any noticeable change in the pH drop. I continue to increase the nightly amount.

[Doug]

Using kalk only will maintain add calcium and help with alk. levels but I have always found the alkalinity to drop in kalk only tanks. I and others doing the same, add a buffer once a week or so, to maintain alk.

My co2 reactor, maintained both my calcium and alk. as Brad mentioned his did. I found my alk was always on the higher side, pushing around 11.2dkh.

I think most running a co2 reactor, use a kalk reactor or drip, to help boost calcium in a heavy demand tank and also as mentioned, to help with ph levels. However I know of several co2 reactor users who dont follow this idea, as there reactors are sized large enough to provide calcium & alk, plus they also seem to maintain high enough ph levels with no kalk.

I like kalk myself, as its cheap and easy to use. I have never used a reactor though, just dripping now or mixing it in my top off tub when running my larger tanks.

I would say keep the co2 reactor running the same or back it down a bit and keep using a good kalk mix to bring calcium levels up, with perhaps a bit of Reef Advantage or whatever you use, to increase the calcium levle some.

Whats the alk. reading on the reactors output? If mine got a bit ot high, I think I decreased the co2 amount a little, which usually lower it. Cant remember for sure but think mine was running in the low to mid 20,s dkh area.

[Delphinus]

Thanks Doug. I'll test the reactor's Alk output, I have no idea what it's at, I've only measured pH of the effluent.

One thing catches my eye in what you just said - "good kalk mix." I'm wondering if part of my problem is I'm using Mrs Wages pickling lime (Someone gave me theirs when they left the hobby). I don't really like the stuff very much. It turns poo brown after a week although the pH is still 11ish so I think it's still working but nevertheless I'm wondering I should switch to a proper kalk mix.. I only use a few tablespoons per week or two so it takes me forever to use it up..