View Full Version : Deltec Calcuim Reactor
pjos11
10/23/2006, 11:35 AM
I cannot seem to get my Calcuim level above 390ppm. My Alk measured 9.9 dKH or 3.54meq/L.
I have altered the bubble counter to about two bubbles a second and the drip at about one per second but it still has not altered the readings.
What can I do about this? I have noticed the Toadstool coral looking very bald today ( wants to be like me) :)
Is this because my Calcuim is low?
I am using a Salifert test kit.
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/23/2006, 12:53 PM
You cannot use any balanced calcium and alkalinity additive method (including a CaCO3/CO2 reactor) to make significant boosts to calcium because it will boost alkalinity too much. In fact, it will boost alkalinity by 1 meq/L (2.8 dKH) for each 18-20 ppm of calcium.
You need to boos tit with calcium chloride.
These article sand calculators may help:
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php
Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html
pjos11
10/23/2006, 05:06 PM
So Why use a calcium reactor if it can`t do what its supposed to?
Am I better to add calcium and alk by measures. I have read you guys talk a lot about this but never really took it onboard because I thought my Calcium reactor would take care of it all.
Can I keep running my reactor and add calcium chloride as well to raise the calcium? Is the calcium chloride that you are talking about added to the reactor or straight into the tank?
bertoni
10/23/2006, 07:29 PM
The calcium reactor can keep the parameters in line once calcium and alkalinity are at good levels, provided it's kept tuned. Any liquid calcium chloride product can be added directly to the tank. Solid powders should be dissolved with RO-DI water first.
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/24/2006, 05:10 AM
So Why use a calcium reactor if it can`t do what its supposed to?
:lol:
It can do what it is supposed to do, but it is not supposed to be able to give large boosts to calcium. :D
You make corrections with additives when necessary, and the reactor does the test. Add them to the tank itself. You can get Kent Turbo or Liquid calcium, ESV or Warner calcium chloride, etc.
pjos11
10/24/2006, 07:43 AM
Sorry if I sounded stupid but what I have learned has all been in the last 3 months and I have realised that there is ALOT to learn!!:D
Thanks Randy for your help I really do appreciate it.;) I really did believe that the calcium reactor did manage the Cal and Alk levels:( But now I know better.
Your posts on this subject are excellent and have really helped me. Thankyou. I have also been reading Vol 1, 2 and 3 of "The reef aquarium" Delbeek and Sprung, these I must say are a must have for the likes of me.
I will stick to Plumbing and Heating for a living though :D
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/24/2006, 11:10 AM
You're welcome and thanks. :)
Good luck!
pjos11
10/24/2006, 11:12 AM
I went to my LFS today and had a discussion about my calcium and alk levels. I told him my readings which are in my first post, after the discussion he was off the opinion that my calcium levels may have fell out of solution, and we discussed how to lower the alk level before we raised the calcium. So I have two questions, how can I lower my alk level? and at the same time raise my calcium level? Is it also possible that my calcium may have fell out of solution.
Note: I have another post that my live sand is clumping together, could this be because of my levels?
Thanks for advance.
bertoni
10/24/2006, 12:47 PM
Your alkalinity level is fine, and won't interfere with raising calcium, as long as magnesium is okay. I often run my tanks at 420 ppm Ca and 11 dKH. Alkalinity will drop on its own if you turn off or turn down the calcium reactor.
Calcium can come out of solution by combining with carbonate, but your levels aren't high enough to cause that to happen in appreciable amounts, again, assuming Mg is okay.
Sand seems to clump for some people, and sometimes calcium carbonate deposition might be part of the problem, but that's not clear. Often, it seems more related to a lack of bioturbation.
pjos11
10/24/2006, 01:21 PM
Ok thanks.
I have tested today:
Alk= 10.6 dKH
Cal = 390 ppm
I want to get my Calcium to 420ppm, so as Randy has said I will add calcium chloride ie: Kent Turbo or similar tomorrow.
As you can see my dKH has risen 0.7 in one day so I will slow my bubble rate somewhat this should steady out the Alk? I want to stay in the RED BOX;) sure you know what I mean:D
This hobby is GREAT!!!! Keeps my mind active.
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/24/2006, 01:42 PM
I recommend 7-11 dKH, so your levels are still OK, but backing off a bit on the CO2 addition rate will allow alkalinity to stop rising, or even fall a little. Same for calcium, but the effect is so small as to go unnoticed.
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