Can you explain what you mean by:
We also have a GEO calcium reactor we picked up used, but have yet to actually set it up. I need to research more. I feel like there is still so much I don't know, but your thread helps a lot. I just don't quite understand what the different settings are. I assume the bubbles/min is the rate that it drips out? The PSI has something to do with the amount of CO2 pumped in?Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest
There are 2 variables in dialing in a reactor - Effluent pH and effluent flow. They are directly proportional - at a given CO2 setting, pH will increase with increased flow through the reactor.
pH is controlled by both the amount of CO2 allowed to enter the reactor and the effluent flow rate.
You can control the amount of CO2 in 2 ways - by changing the bubble count or changing the size of the size of the bubbles.
Bubbles/Min is the rate at which CO2 (bubbles) are allowed to enter the reactor.
Bubble size is controlled by adjusting the PSI on low pressure side of the regulator. I've found that I need at least 1.5 PSI to overcome the check valve.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
Thanks Andy - I'll give it a try.
I'm not sure how much additional degassing is possible. I've tried allowing the effluent to drip into a water column containing an air stone fed by a CO2 scrubber just upstream of the skimmer, which is also fed by zero CO2 air from the scrubber with very little change - but it's certainly worth a try.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
This change was worth a .15 pH increase
What's surprising is I had tried a few different things before including using zero Co2 air from my CO2 scrubber and a very large air stone with very limited success. Just goes to show the simplest solution is often the best.
I used a refillable BRS media canister filled 2/3rds with Oolite and topped with CaRx media - Simple and effective.
Thanks Andy!
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
Finally...
It took months, but I finally found and resolved the air leak. Turns out it was not in the CaRx manifold, but in the Carbon Doser regulator (I think the low pressure gauge had a tiny leak.) Aquatic Plants advance shipped a replacement and voila...no more air
This setup is now running perfectly, I couldn't be happier with it. The GEO 612 / Carbon Doser / Cole Parmer combination makes running a reactor on smaller tanks very simple.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
I've been asked to provide photos of previously when the system was on 2-part for comparison to it's current SPS load now using the CaRx. First let me apologize for my lack of photo skills...
Here's the GEO 612 sitting beside the 7 gallon ATO bucket containing RO/DI super-saturated with Kalk (140mL vinegar/7 gallons.) The Cole-Parmer peristaltic pump and controller are directly above and the to the left of the 612. The 5lb CO2 tank and Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser regulator sit behind the 612. All of this is located in the cabinet under the FT.
Here is the system maintained using 2-part.. This photo was taken about a year ago.
Here it is currently with the calcium reactor. Sorry for the lack of color, it's difficult to tell much detail as the AI LEDs were still in the sunrise mode when I snapped these photos.
The DT contains 3 large Monti Caps (left rear corner) that grow so quickly as to require "pruning" every couple of months. There are also 2 clams, a large Squamosa (bottom right) and a medium Maxima (top right.) This is in addition to the ~200+ Acro and Acan Frags in the FT. FWIW, based on the growth of the SPS, I would estimate the Alk and Ca demands to be much greater than when the system was maintained using 2 part.
Wow, In comparing these photos, I just realized how much the Maxima and especially the Squamosa has grown in the last year.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
It appears the addition of 10% Dolomite (ZeoMag) to the GEO 612 is helping support Mg levels at ~1350. Prior to adding the ZeoMAg, with ~30% monthly water changes (RC), I was dosing 200~300mL BRS Mg solution monthly. No additional MG was required this month.
I'm glad to see signs that the ZeoMAg is dissolving - I was concerned that the 6.68pH that I run the reactor at might not be low enough for the ZeoMAg. I'll wait and see what happens next month before drawing any conclusions.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
It looks like the ZeoMAg is working. This morning's Mag test showed 1650, with only normal water changes. I'm especially impressed as I've added quite a few new Frags in the past month and the 612 is keeping up just fine @ 6.68 pH.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
Ummmm yea ok....I totally understand
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