I am confused, why is your calcium reactor not supplying your alk?
Dreams become Reality
- Thread starter richards
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In the beginning, the calcium Rector was outstanding at providing calcium and alkalinity and magnesium. As livestock load increased in the aquarium from Coral growth, it was necessary to increase the weekly flow of the reactor. Ultimately, I had to add alkalinity in addition to weekly water changes. Reactor alone is now inadequate to maintain pH and alkalinity. I’ve had to add additional alkalinity. We still use the Calc reactor at full speed.
What calcium reactor do you have? Is it undersized?
Pump, twin chambers, APEX controller of pH, bubble counter, etc. One may see the dissolution of substrate this year in the 1st chamber. I do not know the brand, designed by Ming and sourced happily from George at Pure Reef. There is a laminated/sealed liner visible under all the equipment in the lower cabinet, to catch enough water to wet one of the water sensor alarms in the event of a water leak. Tank support is welded steel, covered in a cosmetic walnut veneer plywood. I was quite interested that many types of wood are available in easily sourced veneer over plywood. 
This is very strange to me considering from the looks of your tank, it doesn't seem to have that much coral to be consuming enough alk that your calc reactor can't keep up, unless I'm being confused by the size of your tank. What's the dimensions of your tank? I seem heavier stocked tank that seems to have no issue using what looks to be similar size calcium reactor. Who tuned your reactor and has it been tuned since your tank started to grow out? It might just need to be tuned again.
Good point, I'll check the tuning out again. APEX controls the pH in the reactor with a solenoid on the CO2 tank, and I set the water flow volume. The tank has a footprint of six by four feet.
I have found CA/Alk/pH to be such a balance act. Really like the Calc Reactor. As the SPS and calc algae have increased growth and coverage, I've actually began dosing the A/B solution of CA/Alk in addition to using the reactor. This is evolving over time as I have a high bio load of both SPS & other coral and fish. Best wishes
Another view of the Welso brain coral, looking through an orange lens
Added a school of dither Fish. Electric blue springerii damsels. Algae eaters.
The tangs, and fox face, actually eat broccoli. And constantly graze the rock work. They also enjoy a variety of frozen and pelleted and flake food.
This is amazing! But not a Welso. This is an Australophyllia wilsoni (used to be australian Symphyllia). I don't think I've seen one with such nice golds before!
You are correct, thanks. I'll take a photo of a second wilsoni when the lights are on tomorrow....
Yellow & Purple Tangs eating broccoli. Bright green SPS in center is “green slimmer.”
Aquaculture yellow tang
Sohal tang
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Aquaculture all the way!! (Least I think is the best practice). Awesome build~~
