Help Setting up my CA reactor!

[MIO]

Okay I just need to know what water has to go into the chamber? RO or Salt and does it need new water coming into it like a kalk reactor? I not how often do you change the water in the CA reator?

[xtopher]

To set up a CA reactor you need saltwater from your tank going into it either through a gravity feed or from it being submerged in your sump. It is nothing like a kalk reactor. First off what kind of reactor did you buy? This will help more through how it is designed.
kind of a mundane question but have you read the instructions? It should tell you exactly what parts go where
HTH

[Hop]

I checked out your build thread and I don't think you need to hook one up yet. there really is nothing in there that consumes calcium yet. Calcium and kalk reactors each have a little give and take. They can start throwing alk and pH off and a few other issues.

I would suggest monitoring your Ca, alk and mag levels in addition to regular test and see how quickly it's really being consumed. Right now, just bringing your water change water up to peak levels will likely be enough. Then maybe a little two part after you get a few things in there that consume alk on occasion. You will know when it's time to through the Ca or kalk reactor in

[MIO]

I've added alot of livestock since that tread. This is the model I got http://www.aquatichouse.com/FILTRATI...iumreactor.asp

I know it's not the best but i think it will do the job.

[Hop]

That was only a month ago. If you have added enough that you need a Ca and a Kalk reactor, your going to fast and heading for troubles! Slow down man.

Statements like

Next thing on the list is to stock it to the rim! Im goin to go with a mix of corals (LPS, SPS, More Softies and probably 4 or 5 Clams. I'm goin to go to a local live stock wholesaler near LAX Airport. Some of the sps corals I'm going to pick up is Montiporas, Neon Blue Tips, Ultra Pink Prostratas. LPS I just want some finger leathers and what ever else looks good when i'm there. I just want it as full as possible and since it's wholesale it's so cheap whay not.

Concern me. You need to do research and ensure a proper enviroment for everything. Go slow and worry about parameters. You start adding all this stuff without a basic understanding of the chemestry involved and how the equipment works, is only going to lead to failure, death of live animals and I'm a little worried!

Don't want to be rude, just really want you to slow down and do things right. Sounds like you have new tank/reef syndrome

[Hendersonracing]

I have 35-40 pieces of sps frags now and mine barely needs a reactor ...I agree a reactor is definately the way to go but adding all the calcium & alk that a reactor puts out will definately raise your levels If something in the tank dosen't use it up!!If you think your at the point you need it...we will try to help you set it up!!

[MIO]

okay but i had a 40 gallon before and trasfered it into the new 90. I apreciate your guys concerns, I didn't think it was too fast since I was just transfering from one to another. I mean everything is really opened up nice especially the sps frags. I've been reefing since like 99 but all the new tecnology is a bit confusing.

[tdwyatt]

just evesdropping...

[Hop]

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

just evesdropping...

Now you have me all worried and affraid to post


MIO... Do some research on how Ca, mag and alk are related, along with pH issues of Ca and Kalk. Then do some searching on how to set up a ca reactor and proper pH of the chamber and effluent. There are very few ways to crash a tank faster that with a kalk reactor and Ca reactors can be tricky. Make sure you need to add them. I have yet to find a post stating your are low or having trouble maintaining calcium. I did see a few if I recall correctly in a thread you posted that you Ca was high?

Have you picked up a regulator and Co2 tank yet?

Anyone confussed on how a kalk reactor came up in this thread? It's because I searched some other posts

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by Hop

Now you have me all worried and affraid to post

Heh!!!

not to worry, I'm at work and the patient count is rising...

[MIO]

yes it was high, i dosed the tank and it was up to 480 a day later it was at 420 then it went to 400 a day after that it finally tapered off at 360 3 days later so i dosed a bit and it went up to 400. That is why i thought it might be better to add a ca reator. I still havnt hooked it up that is why I was asking around. YEs i bought the reactor, co2 tank, ca reactor regulater and a milwalkee ph monitor. maybe a waste. maybe i should just install it and set it real low???

[tdwyatt]

Mio,

Here's some reading just to get started, but see what others have to offer, as it's a good idea to customize the setup to your system.

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90886

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96171

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65873


HTH

[MIO]

thnaks ill take a look.