CA Reactor settings??

[porpoiseaquatics]

I've been working with a CA reactor for several months now. I thought I had it dialed in because my CA was running in the 420-440 range. Now it's dropped out after a CO2 canister change to 330. I don't really have a ton of stuff that will use CA.

I control the reactor through my RKE....it kicks on when the chamber reaches 7.1 and kicks off at 6.0 (I think). I did have the effluent line set up as a trickle...a few drops per second. I just changed it to a steady stream. The whole point of having the reactor was to keep my CA steady. Apparently I've missed something.

Other params: KH: 13dkh (yes..a little high), Mg=1400 (also a little high), ph=8.3 (tested with a Red Sea Pro kit)

 

[skriz]

That's way too high of a ph swing. If you want a stable output, you need a stable ph.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Those were numbers given to me by another member that is knowledgeable in this arena. What should the numbers be?

 

[sea atlanta]

Skriz;936946 wrote: That's way too high of a ph swing. If you want a stable output, you need a stable ph.

Agreed. That is incorrect information you were given. Where are you measuring the pH?

 

[sea atlanta]

barry_keith;936972 wrote: All depends on the uptake of you tank. Generally people start around 6.5-6.6pH as on / off points

Im not sure I follow. The pH of the reactor is inconsequential of the demands of the tank. The effluent drip rate and CO2 bubble count would be the variables for that concern.

If the pH is inappropriate in the calcium reactor, it simply wont work right.

 

[skriz]

porpoiseaquatics;936967 wrote: Those were numbers given to me by another member that is knowledgeable in this arena. What should the numbers be?

If that's what they told you, then they're not knowledgeable in this arena! That's like having a temp swing of 10 degrees..you're begging for issues.

You should have it turn on/off with a 1.0 or 0.5 swing.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

So I've set my new target at 6.5 measured in the reactor with a swing of .15. I also measure pH in the sump and that is currently at 8.19. I have not measure the actual effluent coming from the reactor. I guess I should huh?

 

[sea atlanta]

I really don't follow. How are you setting the calcium reactor pH control if you aren't measuring pH?


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[porpoiseaquatics]

effluent is at 7.0 ph.

 

[jimmystephens]

There was a sticky on this. I used it to set mine up.

 

[joseayes]

Jeff I always take this article as a reference.. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/</a>


You might had it read already :D

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

joseayes;937039 wrote: Jeff I always take this article as a reference.. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/</a>


You might had it read already :D[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I didn't have it. I'll read that and see if I have something set up differently. The unit pictured is set up mostly the same way as mine is so this should be helpful.