Components and Specs which make a Calcium Reactor Work

[georgeortiz]

I have been looking into how a calcium reactor is built and was wondering if the aspects which I have taken into consideration are correct.

First of all the Ca reactor should have the water enter from the top and exit through the bottom to increase contact time and at a low flow rate.

Second the Co2 which enters through the bubble counter should enter through the top.

Third there should be some type of mechanism in place so a sample of the water in the Reactor chamber can be taken to measure the ph.

Fourth there should be plenty of room for a decent amount of media.

I guess this would be for a single pass system but, from what I have read there doesn't seem to be anything stating that the recirculating reactors perform better.

I am posting this because I have searched on Wetweb and some other sites but, have seen posting and faq's on the process which the Ca reactors work but, not on the ideal or necessary aspects which a good Ca reactor needs to work.

[Bigreefer]

A great article on the subject...

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.htm

[RobertG]

George I have a Precision Marine Unit. I will take some pics of it for you. The co2 enters I believe at the bottom where the pump sucks it through. Then it passes through the media. It is keeping my tank Ca. at about 450 PPM. I use salifert to test. Single Chamber. The effluent water comes out on the top of the unit. The rate is about 75ml. a minute. PH is about 6.5ish.

HTH

[matt]

You might search for some of my older posts about this, plus I just posted something on another current topic on this forum. I know alot about calcium reactors, I just don't feel like typing it out all over again. FWIW, I'm working on an article for a new section of our website on calcium reactor function, design, and use.

You have the flow backwards; enter at the bottom and exit the top. You can still internally circulate top to bottom.

[Tim Marvin]

If you enter the bottom and exit the top, how do you get the CO2 to go against the current?

[matt]

Well, since you have internal circulation several hundred times what the flow into and out of the reactor is, that's a non-issue. Plus, remember that you're dissolving CO2 in the water, bot bubbling it through. The only reason you introduce CO2 into the reactor is to form weak carbonic acid which dissolves the media.

BTW, Tim, I just made my first kalk reactor. I'm going to bring it to the BOD meeting this weekend.

[Tim Marvin]

Cool, My Reef Creation had the injector on the intake side of the circulation pump. That is why I was curious. That is a good point also about the acidic water. For those of you going to DIY be very carefull on how much CO2 you inject because it can melt the entire media in a short time if you are pumping too much in! These need to be checked and monitor weekly to be sure they are operating correctly. I used to watch mine daily.

[georgeortiz]

Ok.
Just to straighten out design details on how the Ca works:

Co2 and water can enter the chamber through the bottom through the media to the top of the chamber to the recirculation outlet.

A seperate output is then accomodated for the effluent water to the tank.
located somewhere in the return line to the pump. This being a small outlet only which can be controlled.

I am assuming that this water outlet can be the same source you use to get samples to measure the Ph of the Reactor.

Can there also be some type of accomodation made at the top of the device to accomodate any excess C02 to be bled off?

Also some type of controller should be provided to keep the Co2 in check.

Does it seem like I have it straight now?