Calc reactor setup

[drock59]

I am having a little trouble dialing in my reactor. The alk keep skyrocketing and upsetting my corals. It is my thought, that effluent alk is too high, thus causing my tank alk to increase.


So, to decrease effluent alk what do i need to do. Will increasing the drip rate dillute the effluent cuasing lower alk? Should I raise the Effluent PH, thus dissolving less media?

Any help would be great.

[reefhut]

Your alk is riseing because your Co2 is to fast. Slow it down to 1 bubble per secound and effluent around 5ml per 5 secound. If your levels don't change within a week, let me know...

Good Luck,
Shannon

[drock59]

Shannon, any ideas for a precise way to measure alk quantity per second. I have a measureing cup right now but it is kind of hard to read.

[reefhut]

Measure the PH coming out the effluent, it should be around 6.5. That would be how you would first set things up for stable alk. Start with the PH

[drock59]

reactor has been up for a week. Ph has been stable at 6.6.

[drock59]

My levels tonight for further referance.

Effluent pH: 6.7
Effluent alk:21dkh

Hmmm, that seems better and all i did was increase the effluent to .625ml/second. Ill test again in the morning and see what happens.


Tank Calc: 430
Tank pH: 8.03 A little low but that is just the way it is. Swings, .05 in a 24hr period.
Tank Alk: 10.2 dkh

[drock59]

levels as of tonight:

Tank Alk: 9.6
Tank pH: 7.99
Tank Calc: 420
Tank Mg: 1350

Effluent ph: 7.1
Effluent alk: 12 dkh

Obviously I need to increase alk coming out of the reactor. Ill lower the pH to about 6.9 and see what happens.

[reefhut]

Sounds like your getting the hang of it..

[drock59]

Ya, I think so. Now i just to need to find a good level and keep it there.

[impur]

Sounds like you are getting close!!