Help setting up cal and kalk reactors

[bigdscobra]

:blink :huh This is what I got so far... What I need to know is how to run both of these and not have any problems???? Also how do I controll the kalk reactor

Thanks Dan


Octopus Dual Chamber
Calcium Reactor Item #: OCT-CR140D


6.5” Dual Chamber Reactor.
Comes with John Guest fittings.
Pump is included.


Dimensions: 24" tall
Rated up to 400 gallons






Reef Octopus Kalkwasser Reactor KR-100


Milwaukee SMS122 pH Controller
pH controller with standard plug socket support, .1 resolution, includes AC adapter. The SMS122 pH controller enables you to automate your dosing of CO2 and makes sure that the plants in your aquarium are always healthy. Simply plug in the solenoid valve to the plug socket supplied. Includes pH probe.


Milwaukee Co2 Regulator
Includes flow regulator, needle valve, electronic solenoid & bubble counter. Unit comes with dual gauges each with dual reading of both psi & kg/cm. Left gauge meters tank capacity and right gauge meters flow. Needle valve flow control provides for precise measurement. The solenoid valve comes with a 1.5 meter power cord

[matt]

There are a few articles that describe calcium reactor set up (I think one is by "jdeick" or something like that) if you go to RC, then the chemistry forum, you can find links. There's lots of information in those; I'd really suggest reading them a few times.

As far as controlling the kalkreactor, I assume you mean how do you get water through it? The best way is with a peristaltic dosing pump like the litermeter or innovative aquatics nautilus. Those are both great; there are lots of other I don't know anything about but lots of others might.

If you're running both a calcium reactor and a kalkreactor, I would not use the ph controller, except maybe as an emergency shut off. The solenoid is supposed to stop CO2 flow in the event of a power outage, which is good, but just yesterday I was watching CO2 flow out of one of these exact regulators with the solenoid unplugged, so make sure yours is working. Don't try to regulate the reactor ph or tank ph by shutting CO2 flow on and off though; my experience is that it's far better to set your reactor ph correctly and leave it there. As long as your reactor is correctly dialed in and you're using the KW reactor to replace all your evaporated water, believe me your tank ph will be perfect.

[TexasTodd]

You plug the power to the regulator in to the PH controller. Then set it to turn it off if the ph DROPS too low.(depending on the system, but usually if it drops below7.9 or so)

Fill the cyclinders with the ARM up to about 2" from the top.

Best Feed pump is a MaxiJet1200. If you use a high pressure source (like a t-off from your return pump) it will make the reactor leak.

On a DUAL reactor you want your effluent PH at about 6.8-6.9. This NOT what you're measuring with your ph controller.



FIRST, get your system to optimum parameters with B-ionic etc. DON"T use the CA Reactor to move your system up or down. You want to dial it in to only replace what your system uses. Otherwise it's a total nightmare as you go up and down, and up, and down.

You need more coming out of the reactor if you have sand beds in your system.

On my old 92g with 40g ref, chocked full of sps, I ran about 80 bubbles a minute on the CO2 and about 40mls a minute on the effluent out of the reactor.

So, use B-ionic first. then start the reactor. Check the Alk and CA 2x's a day and if it's high, dial the CO2 and mls effluent back (in same ratio!), if it's low, add a few more bubbles a minute and bump the effluent up the same percentage.........AND IMMEDIATELY ADD B-IONIC TO GET THE ALK AND CA WHERE YOU WANT IT. Do this every day until you don't have to adjust anything.

After this you should be able to go months without doing anything to it.

MAKE SURE THE MAXIJET FEED PUMP IS IN AN AREA THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MICRO BUBBLES. This will make the CA reactor vapor lock and shut down.

Todd

[bigdscobra]

Thanks for the imput!!

Can I use my top off to supply the kalk reactor? How much Kalk do I put into it and how often?

Thanks
Dan

[JimD]

When to recharge the kalk reactor is determined by tank Ph, once you get it set up and working properly, you'll be able to monitor the Ph and when it begins to drop below the normal range its time to recharge. As far as how much kalk to put in the reactor, in reality, you can put as much as you want since kalk will max out at a Ph of 12.4, I would recommend starting with a third of a cup to begin with and adjust as you get used to the reactor,. Couple of things to remember, never mix and dose at the same time and be sure to allow a minimum of two hours settle time. Once you get it dialed in, stand back! And yes you can put the reactor in your top off chain.