Calcium Reactor reaction time.

[hllywd]

I set up my first reactor a few days ago and may or may not need some guidance.

First it looks to me like everything is working properly but I have a couple questions.

I have the 500 gallon verison of the Coralife reactor, controlled with a Millwaukee SMS122. The total system volume is probably aroun 140 gallons. The controller is running the reactor between 6.4and 6.7 pH and I'm using ARM media. Is that range ok for the ARM?

I guess my biggest question is how long before I see a change in the Ca values in the tank? I started with around 60 dpm to the sump and on the third day my Ca reading it actually a little lower (300) than when I started (325), I'm using a brand new Elos test kit I picked up at Phishy Business. This morning I did increase the dpm rate.

The tank is stocked with a moderate amount of SPS and some softies. Will the corals adjust and use more Ca as it is made available and keep the reading down until I get ahead of it? Am I just being impatient?

I did check the effluent just for my satisfaction and it has a reading of about 525ppm so I know something is happening...

TIA!

Tim

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would not monitor calcium to gauge the reactor. Monitor alkalinity. It changes much faster with over or under dosing.

FWIW, the reactor cannot be used to raise the calcium level from a low level to normal, because it will add way to much alkalinity. Use calcium chloride to make that boost.

This article has more:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[hllywd]

Thanks! I appreciate the quick response. Guess I'll do some more reading and testing!

Tim

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

These may also help:

Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html

A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

Good luck!