Calcium Reactor Smell

fishyfish22 · 12/20/2018, 12:07 AM

Hey guys. So i had my calcium reactor set up and for the longest time it ran flawlessly, only issue was that the media wasnt dissolving. I read up on it and the media we were using wasn't the right one

we switched over to TLF ReBorn Calcium reactor media.

The first time we set it up with the new media, we noticed that the tank stared smelling horrible. it was a rotten egg smell, we looked closer and it was coming from the calcium reactor.

we tore it down and washed it with bleach. recently we set it up again, even ordered new tlf media but yesterday I noticed that the smell is back again. It's coming from the effluent. I really don't know what to do at this point, does anyone have any idea what could be going on?

Calcium reactor is a CR-140 using a aquatrance 3000s pump

tkeracer619 · 12/20/2018, 01:27 AM

What flowrate are you using through the reactor?

This is abnormal.

fishyfish22 · 12/20/2018, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

What flowrate are you using through the reactor?

This is abnormal.

drip rate is 2 drips per second, pump going into reactor is aqualifter

tkeracer619 · 12/20/2018, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishyfish22

drip rate is 2 drips per second, pump going into reactor is aqualifter

That's likely too low.

fishyfish22 · 12/20/2018, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

That's likely too low.

Ill increase it and see what happens. But then wont my tank be getting too much ca and alk?

Seasidenj · 12/20/2018, 07:42 AM

I have 4 drops per second and it seems to be fine

tkeracer619 · 12/20/2018, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishyfish22

Ill increase it and see what happens. But then wont my tank be getting too much ca and alk?

Reduce the ph inside the reactor to compensate.

fishyfish22 · 12/20/2018, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Reduce the ph inside the reactor to compensate.

So raising ph lowers the amount of calcium per effluent drop

slief · 12/20/2018, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishyfish22

So raising ph lowers the amount of calcium per effluent drop

Yes. Raising the pH inside the reactor decreases the alkalinity and amount of calcium in the effluent.

12/20/2018, 12:07 AM	#1
fishyfish22 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: palatine Posts: 278	Calcium Reactor Smell Hey guys. So i had my calcium reactor set up and for the longest time it ran flawlessly, only issue was that the media wasnt dissolving. I read up on it and the media we were using wasn't the right one we switched over to TLF ReBorn Calcium reactor media. The first time we set it up with the new media, we noticed that the tank stared smelling horrible. it was a rotten egg smell, we looked closer and it was coming from the calcium reactor. we tore it down and washed it with bleach. recently we set it up again, even ordered new tlf media but yesterday I noticed that the smell is back again. It's coming from the effluent. I really don't know what to do at this point, does anyone have any idea what could be going on? Calcium reactor is a CR-140 using a aquatrance 3000s pump __________________ two fish are in a tank, one says you man the guns, i'll drive. V.I.F.-very important fish Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reef ready

12/20/2018, 01:27 AM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	What flowrate are you using through the reactor? This is abnormal. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/20/2018, 07:42 AM	#6
Seasidenj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 55	I have 4 drops per second and it seems to be fine