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nrthface 
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 Topic: Calcium Reactor Help
Posted: February 22 2011 at 12:42pm |
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I procured a Korallin calcium reactor 1502. I have been fiddling with it for about a week and its clear that I don't know what I'm doing. Can anyone help me better figure out how to get 10 bubbles per minute. I'm all over the place. The directions suggested feeding it with a small pump, so that's the way I decided to go. I can get the drips to 40/min but with the gas all over the place it isn't consistent. Its my first Cal Reactor and I'll be honest I don't really know if I'm doing it right at all. Help from the experts would be greatly appreciated.
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tcfab
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Posted: February 22 2011 at 1:20pm |
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Are you using a ph controller to control your CO2 soleniod? If not I highly recommend one, its easy to have problems without one.
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Need custom acrylic work? give me a call, www.Elite-Aquatics.net (801)645-6386
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nrthface
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Posted: February 22 2011 at 1:41pm |
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I don't know what that is. Is it something everyone uses with there Calc Reactor and I just don't know about it?
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Nick801
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Posted: February 22 2011 at 7:11pm |
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give me a call
801-680-4676 =)
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tcfab
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Posted: February 22 2011 at 7:57pm |
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You don't need one, but I would never personally do one without a ph controller. The chance of a tank crash is way to high for me. When you hook up a calcium reactor with a ph controller it takes some of the hassle out of setting one up to run consistant. With a controller your ph inside your reactor will alway stay where you set it (usually 6.4) and all you have to adjust is your water (eflluent) drip rate coming out of the reactor and going to the sump. They are fairly cheap I believe they are around $80-100 bucks thats cheap insurance.
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Need custom acrylic work? give me a call, www.Elite-Aquatics.net (801)645-6386
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 22 2011 at 10:36pm |
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We could talk you through setting it up, but....
You seem to be new at the hobby. You would be better off leaving that until you have more experience. Besides, if you don't have much stony coral, a Ca Reactor would not only be absolutely unnecessary, it would actually destroy the tank.
How much stony coral are in your tank?
Have you learned about Alk and Ca and how to add the supplements to keep those within range?
Edited by Mark Peterson - February 22 2011 at 10:38pm
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nrthface
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Posted: February 22 2011 at 10:59pm |
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I've been at it almost two years. I have 12 acros that had been alive for 5 months. Monti's etc. I add supplements every other day it seems to maintain good levels. I travel often and have lost coral whole I'm out of town. I decided to add the calc reactor for that purpose. I figure I'll never improve until I try right? Nick has been helping a bunch and it's coming along. Thanks to e everyone for the advice!!
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 23 2011 at 9:07am |
Sorry. Serves me right for assuming that since you are new to the MB that you are new to the hobby. I generally start by adjusting the effluent flow to about 2 drops/second or more and the bubble rate to one bubble every 4 seconds. It's quicker to observe and count the drops and bubbles in seconds rather than in minutes. If either of these rates is hard to control with consistency, look at the equipment. Pumps and Needle Valves do not last forever.Have the effluent drip near to the return pump intake so that the higher pH fluid gets mixed in quickly. Monitor the Alk and Ca levels by testing daily at first, adjusting as you go along to get the right amount of Alk and Ca to match the consumption. To increase Alk and Ca, first adjust the effluent drops possibly even to a very slow stream if more Alk and Ca is still needed, only then would I increase the bubble rate. If Alk and Ca are good and the tank has good flow with bottom water being pushed up to the rippling surface pH is not a worry. Even pH numbers that may seem low are not as big a deal as many hobbyists may worry about, so long as the tank appears healthy and has good growth. A good example of this is Alex/Flashlin, whose tank has amazing Coralline Algae growth and marvelous color and growth in everything. His tank runs at a pretty constant pH of 7.8. I'm not sure where the probe is located and not sure whether even after calibration the controller unit itself may be reading wrong, but the point is - let the tank's appearance and growth be your guide.
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nrthface
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Posted: February 23 2011 at 7:55pm |
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Don't be sorry. I wasn't offended I don't even know how to use my equipment!! I do appreciate the help though thank you!! I'm sure i will need much much more.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 24 2011 at 9:51am |
Since you said that the flow and bubble rate are all over the place, is it possible that new valves are needed? Feel free to give me a call. I could come give it a "Look Sea". 
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