Starting up CA reactor?

[reefstyle]

How many drops per? I was told to just use crushed coral?http://www.marinetechnical.com/page12.html I have a double chamber CA reator what size bottle? I ordered a mil controller ph/orp? How would go about starting? On a extra tank/ I already have live stock in my 500 gl system? I did this years ago but have no idea now? thanks a head of time.dennis:D

[cee]

You can go here:
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html
And it will tell you how. I go through a 5 lb. CO2 cylinder about every 3 months on a 125 gallon, you'll probably want a 20 lb. on your tank.

Dave

[easttn]

Hey Dennis,

Excellent choice on your reactor ;)

I agree with Dave, get a 20lb tank. I burn through mine every 7 months or so on 300gal total water volume. Buy ARM, crushed coral turns to mush after a few months.

Here (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CS0555) is one link to the large bags. It should last over a year, so the price is relatively affordable.

The instructions that come with the reactor are pretty well done, but its all relative depends on each persons tank. Start with one bubble per second of CO2 and 3 drips/second on the effluent. The output will look like one drip instantly followed by another. Keep the water line in the reactor below the level of your sump. Cut off the excess tubing on the reactor supply/return as it will cause drag in a couple of months.

I do not use the controller, I found it to keep the reactor off more than on. If you do use one, drip the effluent into a 5" long 1/2 inch capped (on the bottom) piece of PVC and just let it overflow into the sump. Put the controllers probe in that tube. Don't remember what pH you shoot for in the PVC.

Get one of these (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CO3171) to stop the gas from getting into the chamber if (when) you have a power outage.

This is one of the best things I own for my tank, set and forget once you get it set for your box. Keep your eye on the pH as it will drop if your doing too much. Also, measure your Ca and Alk every 3 days or so till you dial in.

[imsqueak]

"Keep the water line in the reactor below the level of your sump. Cut off the excess tubing on the reactor supply/return as it will cause drag in a couple of months." Huh? I dont think I've seen anyone's CA RX set up so it's lower than their sump's level. Am I mis-reading this?