New reef in the works, 225g - Page 9

Dave C · #81 12-13-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Why put the calcium reactor on a controller though? I'd just have the thing run all the time. Otherwise you'd also have to have a CO2 controller on the reactor (I'm guessing you probably already have this) but what's going to happen is that it will just be constantly cycling on and off whereas usually it's pretty easy to dial it into a steady-state operation. I don't mean to dissuade you out of buying toys if you really want to buy them

but I'm just thinking that this is one you don't really *really* need if you know what I mean?

I've been warned by the Deltec folks not to run this reactor 24/7, let alone run it without a controller. But I do have a solenoid on the co2 regulator and since I have an Aquatronica controller it only makes sense to control the solenoid. I figure I can get by without constantly cycling it by increasing the delta parameters i.e. turn it on when pH exceeds 6.5, turn it off when it drops below 6.1. That should take care of it.

untamed · #82 12-13-2006, 08:32 PM

I also plan on using the AQT to control the CA reactor. Rather than set a large range for the on/off pH limits...you should be able to set tighter limits. You should be able to control how often the solenoid cycles by adjusting the bubble count.

The bubble count will control the speed that the solenoid/controller can bring the pH down. If the bubble count is high, the reactor will react rapidly and the controller will shut the CO2 down fast.

The flow through rate will control how fast the pH rises back up again...(as well as the amount of Ca/Alk that you are adding)

You get the bubble count (dropping the pH) equal to the flow through (raising the pH)...and the controller won't do anything...except keep control of the entire situation, which is exactly what we want it to be doing.

Delphinus · #83 12-13-2006, 08:35 PM

What's different about the Deltec reactors that the recommendation is to not run them 24/7?

Dave C · #84 12-13-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

What's different about the Deltec reactors that the recommendation is to not run them 24/7?

Apparently they pump out water at an 80+dKh range and can risk a crash. I'm not that familiar with ca reactors so I'm only repeating what I've heard. It seems other brands of reactors put out a 60dkh flow and lower.

littlesilvermax · #85 12-13-2006, 09:13 PM

The best I have gotten out of my home made reactor is 61 dkh.

That is using coral sand and a ph of 6.3.

What ph and what media does Deltec use to get 80 dkh?????

Of course when I measured 61 dkh I had no real idea how accurate it was, but it was Salifert.

Delphinus · #86 12-13-2006, 09:23 PM

I see, interesting. Yeah, like littlesilvermax, I too am curious what pH recommendation and media is used on the Deltecs.

With the Schuran reactors I think the recommendation is to use a pH in the 5's

(I could be wrong, it's been a while since I read up on those) and a much larger grained crushed coral as media. Perhaps Deltec's are like this as well. I know Deltec uses the term "fluidized" a lot when describing their reactors and I thought this meant they use an upflow instead of downflow through the media.

Dave C · #87 12-13-2006, 10:08 PM

Deltec recommends using Rowlith C+ in their reactors. The pH should be between 6.1 and 6.5. Here's a thread on RC where the dude from Deltec refers to the 80dkh output. And here's the Delte site where it mentions the same thing. When I get mine going I'll measure it and get back to you. I doubt that they're saying that everyone will achieve that level, rather they are saying it's possible and that is one reason to monitor the output closely.

Dave C · #88 12-13-2006, 10:18 PM

Here's another link referring to this output, and a quote...

"...but that fluidized design on the deltec can give you output readings of over 80dKH!!! Ive seen it. They are John Turner's fave as well (co-founder of ORA and RAS), and he uses them on many of his installs for this reason. No other reactor does a better job of getting the calcium to the reef. You would be lucky to get 2/3 the output with some other brand."

Delphinus · #89 12-14-2006, 05:56 AM

One day I'd like to see one of these reactors in person, from the itty-bitty pics you usually see of them I can't tell what they're doing differently. But anyhow they sound like pretty nice units.

Farrmanchu · #90 12-14-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Looks good so far. Should look really nice once the coraline starts to take hold on the rocks.

Why put the calcium reactor on a controller though? I'd just have the thing run all the time. Otherwise you'd also have to have a CO2 controller on the reactor (I'm guessing you probably already have this) but what's going to happen is that it will just be constantly cycling on and off whereas usually it's pretty easy to dial it into a steady-state operation. I don't mean to dissuade you out of buying toys if you really want to buy them

but I'm just thinking that this is one you don't really *really* need if you know what I mean?

Truth be told, you won't find clams in the sand out on the real reef, at least not maximas or croceas. People like to put them on the sand for a variety of reasons, some of it is aesthetic, some of it is that they can't "fall off" the sand, etc. But in the real reef, these guys live on (or more accurately, "in") the rock of the reef. They actually can burrow into the rock and all you see of them is their mantle (looks a little like a nudibranch until they see a shadow and zip in).

They'll attach to the bottom, I wonder if they can bore into starboard at all. Even ones that sit in the sand usually are holding on to some kind of rock or shell, to protect the opening.