Calcium Reactor Effluent Chamber !

[Faisal1976us]

Hi ,,,

What is the benefit of Calcium Reactor Effluent Chamber ? and how its work ?

[wrott]

If you are referring to a second chamber also filled with Ca(CO3)2, it is to increase the pH of the effluent (after reactor) water before returning it to your system. CO2 has to be in a high enough concentration to dissolve the Ca(CO3)2--~pH 6.8-7.0--to form calcium ions and hydrogen carbonate ions. So ideally you would want all of the CO2 to react before entering the aquarium--thus, 2 chambers.

[Faisal1976us]

So where did you fit PH prob for PH controller after first reactor or after effluent chamber ?

[wrott]

I don't use a pH probe/controller with mine. I just measure the effluent pH with a Hanna pH meter, and run the solenoid for the CO2 regulator on a timer--it's on about 12hrs/day when lights are on, and tank pH stays about 8.2.
But there is a holder made for a pH probe in the top of the chamber of my GEO--if you wanted to use it.

[Bandsaw]

You can make a down and dirty second chamber very cheaply. I use a small square Tupperware food container (maybe 3"x3" by 4" deep. I have the container set it in my refugium on top of the live rock in the first section so that about a 1/2" of the container is above the water. I cut a couple of slits in the bottom of the container and filled it about 1/2 full of CaRa media. I then allow the effluent from the CaRa reactor to drip into the container. I also have the PH probe from my controller in the container to watch the PH of the reactor. That way, the Ca rich effluent enters the container at around PH 6.65 to 6.7 and then makes its way through the media and out the bottom of the container. The PH will rise as the water makes its way through the media (excess CO2 is used up as the Ca is further dissolved or something like that).

The PH of my effluent is about 6.6, the PH of my display is 8.0 at night, 8.2 during the day.

I can post a pic if you like.

[timthetoolman]

Bandsaw, I wouldn't mind seeing it.

[Bandsaw]

Sure, here is a full shot picture of my refugium (located in the basement, the Display Tank is on the main floor)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/bandsaw/Water%20Room%20Refugium/08-12-06-Refugium1.jpg

Here are closer pictures of container that I am using as my second chamber.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/bandsaw/Water%20Room%20Refugium/08-12-06-Refugium2.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/bandsaw/Water%20Room%20Refugium/08-12-06-Refugium.jpg

And here is a top down view..

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/bandsaw/Water%20Room%20Refugium/08-12-06-Refugium4.jpg