View Full Version : CA Reactor Question
Lightsluvr
12/16/2009, 11:10 AM
This sounds like a stupid question, but here goes anyway...
I am new to CA reactors, and I am having some challenges getting the unit dialed in.
First, I dose Kalkwasser in my ATO water. Normal tank pH runs between 8.15 and 8.35.
My ALK has been running high, between 10.6 and 11.6 dkh, while calcium is below 390.
I am seeking ALK around 9.0 and Calcium closer to 450.
So do I need to increase the CO2 bubble rate, increase flow, or what?
LL
Dejavu
12/17/2009, 06:14 AM
George,
First you need to look at your calcium reactor more as an alk reactor. Use what ever buffer you need to get the ca and alk where you want it.
Seeing how your alk is high, I would just buffer the ca.
Next decease the the CO2 bubble rate to raise the pH in the reactor. You will want to do this slowly as you need time for the alk to be used up. Measure the alk while doing this as it will be the indicator for when you need to stop decreasing the bubble rate.
Once you have reached the alk you want to keep your tank at. Test the Ca again and adjust. Test the alk for the next few day to make sure it holds. Once the alk is stable your ca will fall in line.
Remember that alk is what you want to watch. Ca will fall any where from 400-450ppm depending on the salt you use.
gasman059
12/17/2009, 06:23 AM
So do I need to increase the CO2 bubble rate, increase flow, or what?
The realtionship is based on your staring params, meaning you need to establish adequate parameters prior to your reactor maintianing them.
I would get your alk and calcium at your desired levels and then for starters I would start your reactor at lets say 1 bps(bubble per second) and your effluent around the same. Once this is set test your unit and adjust accordingly.
More co2( more bubbles) will casue more media to dissolve and increase your alk and so forth.
You can't increase your alk/calcium with your reactor alone, it will maintain your desired levels once its dialed in. HTH
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.