Calcium Reactor and Calcium levels Help

[BBB]

I have a MYReef Calcium reactor model CR-1.

Tank 65 gallon
effluent is high right now probably 125 ml/min
CO2 is dripping at 60 bubbles per min.
PH of effluent is about 7 using Tetra Test (the only one I could find that would go below 7.4)
Koralith media
about 5 small SPS frags one small Frogspawn, one small three headed Trumpet Coral and Two small (1 - 3" and 1 - 2") clams

The Alk goes up to 14.6 but I cannot get the Calcium above 350. What am I doing wrong? I have tried slower drop rate, slower effluent rate and combinations of each. I have had the reactor for about 1 month. than tank is 4 1/2 months old and the Calcium was around 330.

Everything looks really good I'm just afraid it will not grow if I cannot get the Calciu levels up.

Thank you ,
Jeff

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by BBB
effluent is high right now probably 125 ml/min
CO2 is dripping at 60 bubbles per min.
PH of effluent is about 7 using Tetra Test (the only one I could find that would go below 7.4) ...Koralith media
...The Alk goes up to 14.6 but I cannot get the Calcium above 350. ...I have tried slower drop rate, slower effluent rate and combinations of each. I have had the reactor for about 1 month. than tank is 4 1/2 months old and the Calcium was around 330 ...cannot get the Calciu levels up.

It will help to have ths specifics about your water column, including the exact pH of the effluent of the reactor and the daily pH swings of your system. It will behoove you to get a pH meter rather than a test kit with the Ca reactor, as you really do not have a means (at this point) of accurately measuring your pH levels nor your Ca++. We will need to know what type of test kit(s) and your methodology of testing as well.

Many, many variables that will affect your Ca that are not listed in your post. I would suggest doing a search on Ca in the archives to get a good grip on the chemistry first, then get some good test kits to accurately evaluate the situation before you start to worry, especially if the creatures in your system are doing well.

My dos centavos

[MROK12]

Same problem. Have a dual chamber reactor. My ca is at 350 as well but I am adding a kalk reactor as well. There is a great misconception with the ca reactor.

1) It should be called an Alkalinity reactor because it does a great job at keeping the alk up.
2) The Ca is at saturation for the alk- in other words balanced and consistent.

It is possible to super saturate the water with CA but it needs to be done in a controlled slow manner as with a kalk reactor or drip.

Michael Palleta uses a kalk reactor with a ca reactor for his SPS reef.

I suggest either a 2 part buffer or a kalk drip.

Here is a pic of my Kalk reactor. Remeber 350 consistantly is preety darn good and if it is stable and the corals are growing then all is well. I however want it all. High ALK with High CA

[MyReef]

Jeff,

You need to either slow your drip rate down somewhat or raise your CO2 bubble count. If you did both of these at the same time, they offset each other. Reactors maintain CA levels much easier than they raise them. With that in mind, I always recommend getting your CA levels in line with a buffer then let the reactor maintain them. Your settings were 330 before the reactor and 350 now. It is doing its job, but slowly. It has raised the level in a small increment. Try boosting with buffer then let the reactor do the job. You want your effluent pH to be about 6.6-6.7....then you will be fine. It does and can take time to work however, if you do not have proper levels to start with. Thanks.....

[BBB]

Thank you for the replies. I am investing in a PH monitor/controller to help me out. Hopefully I will have it today. I sent a friend to get one while I was at work. I trust they had one, their website shows they do. Will see.

Thanks again for the replies.

[BBB]

I bought a PinPoint PH controller yesterday. Hooked it up last night. I see what you mean, I guess I really had no idea what my PH was doing coming out of the reactor. I "tuned" it last night and will check later today to see how everything checks out. I did a small water change this morning so I want to wait awhile to do any tests.

Thanks again for the help