Calcium reactor Media?

[usmcsgt]

So I just got me my first calcium reactor and I need to know the best brand media to use.

[Billybeau1]

I got this from a "jdieck" post a little while back. He's really good at this stuff. :)

"If you have an upflow reactor (water circulates from the bottom up) I would recommend either Gen-X or ARM large sized media. If your reactor is down flow, you can use either large (Gen-X or ARM)or small ARM media.
Small media has better dissolution but has more tendency to plug so may need more frequent cleaning and it is recommended not to set it at a PH lower then 6.5
Large media will give you more recirculation flow which in many reactors can compensate for the reduced exposed area for disolution and can be operated as low as 6.3 PH with less tendency to plug the recirculation.

If your reactor has two chambers, use large media in the first chamber and small media in the second chamber, connect the second chamber in a way to have upflow."

Hope this helps. :)

[tkeracer619]

I use CaribSea A.R.M. (http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=243)

Seems to work great.

[mcneilwh]

I use Gen X calcium reactor media 75%. and CaribSea Geo-Marine Aragonite "florida crushed coral" 25%. It puts out 580-600 Ca, and 1580 Mg at pH 6.3-6.6 ( large range minimizes co2 valve operation) main reactor, 7.2 secondary reactor all "Aragonite. My Magnesium has remained stable after going to this mixture.

If your post info is correct your 28 gallon aquarium may not have a lot of buffering capacity so watch your pH. I went from 75 gallons to 90 gallons and it was the difference between the pH going between 7.7 -8.0 (75gal) and 7.9 to 8.2 (90 gal) (Night-Day).

[mcneilwh]

sorry 1480 Mgnot 1580 Mg. typo

[Faisal1976us]

Can i use crushed shells from the beach for calcium reactor ?