• Calcium reactors

  • Robert5335

Dear reefers, I kindly ask everyone who uses calcium reactors to share what media you use, what pH level you maintain inside the reactor, and how you deal with pH drops in the aquarium. I am only interested in practical observations. Thank you in advance.

Katherine

It's also very interesting; I gathered to make something like that based on a canister.

Wendy8540

After trying different branded substrates, I came up with this composition: fine coral gravel and calcium carbonate, for example, AquaMedic, in a ratio of 3:1. The pH does not drop below 8 - 8.2. At night, the calcium reactor is turned off, and the lighting in the sump is turned on, which somewhat compensates for the drop in pH. The calcium reactor operates around the clock and adds dissolved calcium hydroxide.

Chad4168

Thank you, but still... what is the pH level in the reactor? How do you calculate the carbon dioxide supply? My optimal working point is at pH 6.2, with a carbonate level of about 40. I don't turn it off at night. Initially, I had it set to shut off at the pH in the reactor, but now I have set it to turn off when the pH in the aquarium drops below 7.9, as the carbon dioxide supply is quite stable.

Martha

I have a calcium reactor of my own production: pH 6 at night, pH in the aquarium does not drop below 8.2 filler: 50% carbonate, 30% crushed shells, 20% coral gravel it gives KH 50, Ca 840, Mg 1660 (Mg + Ca 2500) JBL tests From my observations, I can say that carbonate and shells contribute more to KH, while gravel contributes more to Ca. I can increase the output even more because I have a powerful skimmer, and the output from the calcium reactor goes directly to the skimmer, so pH does not drop. From your words, I did not understand your problem.

Amanda

I calculate by trial and error, and in the reactor, the pH is 6.3, the carbonate output is the same - 40.

Chelsea

I launched based on the Fluval 404 canister. I will try to write a page for the website over the weekend...

Larry9400

I can't understand how this can be done with the controller, please explain.

Cassandra7840

The aquamedic computer has two cutoff modes: upper and lower point.

Diana8604

What was magnesium raised with? I fought with magnesium all last year. The Baeling method is quite ineffective in this regard.

Nicole

The amount of magnesium coming from the ring reactor depends on the filler. The highest amount of magnesium is provided by crushed shell, followed by carbonate, and even less by core crumb.

Brent5588

I adjusted the JBL Magnesia, and now the calcium reactor seems to be providing a more or less sufficient amount. If it starts to drop, I will add 5% dolomite to the calcium reactor's volume. There is no magnesium in calcium carbonate at all.

Caroline1599

Another question is where to find more or less pure dolomite? As I understand, no one has dealt with it in practice, only based on internet advice.

John3187

Has anyone used the new Dolomite from Aquamedic in their work? I bought it 2 months ago, but I haven't had time to test it. I'm leaving for 10 days (I'm afraid to make any drastic changes before I leave). I'll be back on May 10 and will conduct tests then! I'm curious about what experiences others have had. Thank you in advance!

Karen2578

Please report on the results of the KR work on Dolomite... P.S.: What is the Dolomite code for the kvamedic???

Tammy

Here are the photos of the dolomite AM.