HarleyGuy

45 minutes ago, Timfish said:

I'm not running a calcium reactor at the moment but in the past I've set them at 1 bubble a second and a flow where a slow steady stream starts to break into drops about 1 1/2" from the end of the output tube.  I take care of Dan's system and he has his set 100 ml/min.

 

That's a bummer to hear someone ruined RCA's  PAR meter but didn't replace it.   That's the 2nd one they've had destroyed.

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the reply. I'm at a bubble every 2 secs, a slow stream as you described, and the Carbon Doser is set on at 7.3 and off at 7.2 in the chamber. That level of CO2 is keeping me steady at 8.1 in the tank at the moment (with this low level of corals). I'm controlling the Alk with the Carbon Doser, not the flow. As soon as my Kamoer Peri pump arrives (if it ever arrives) I intend to lower the flow into the tank and reset the Carbon Doser for the change. Do you see any issues with this plan?

The second one? Not good. He may not replace it then.

Is Dan still selling frags? 

John

I’ll call Aquadome thanks. I saw someone in the club that had one, but that forum message was from last year. Do you know if anyone? 

RCAs meter was destroyed by a “renter “. I heard it was dropped in his tank. He should replace it (my opinion), but that hasn’t happened yet. 

I’d rent one from an ARC member if needed. 

Thanks on the tank. It will look a bunch better with a bunch of coral! 😊

Hi all,

So far my levels are staying consistent for a few days now with the CaRX running although PH dropped (different forum topic) Good news 😊.  

I have one more question though. I have a very tall tank with 2 rock towers. Startup pic below. I was wondering if anyone in the club has a par meter I could borrow for a day? I’m adding corals and it would be good to know the levels throughout the tank with 2 x Kessil 360s and 4 x 48” T5s on a 4’ tank that’s 31” deep?

thanks,

John 

4 minutes ago, Dogfish said:

I wont try to give an ipinion .

My tank ph was 8.2 before and 8.07 after the reactor. It is now 8.4 a year later

Here is some info from reef keeping magazine

Troubleshooting:

Low Tank pH

After adding a calcium reactor, many aquarists complain that the pH of the tank is lower than it was previously. Aquarists often think that excess CO2 in the effluent that has not had time to react with and dissolve the media is the reason for the reduced pH. However, remember that the calcium reactor is adding alkalinity, mainly in the form of bicarbonate, (which itself will depress the tank pH) until excess CO2 is degassed into the atmosphere. Some of the bicarbonate is then converted into carbonate. This is very similar to the effect observed when adding sodium bicarbonate to your tank as a buffer.

In order to rid the tank of any excess CO2 and maintain a good pH, it is essential to have good circulation at the air/water interface.

The pH can also be boosted by using limewater as top-off water. Limewater (also known as kalkwasser) works by using the CO2 in the tank water and the hydroxide ions from the limewater to increase the alkalinity. In turn, removal of the excess CO2 leads to an increase of the tank pH.

Another popular technique to remove excess CO2 is to degas the effluent, either by running it through an additional container of calcium carbonate chippings or by dripping the effluent into a small container housing an air stone. Results from these methods vary, with some aquarists reporting significant increases in alkalinity or pH and others seeing little observable difference (probably due to different calcium reactor designs and their effectiveness). With both of these methods you must be careful. As the pH is driven back up towards natural seawater levels, some of the bicarbonate is converted into carbonate. Once the water becomes supersaturated with carbonate, it will be more inclined to precipitate onto calcium carbonate surfaces, and some alkalinity will be lost.

Great Article, thanks!!   I can try the degassing although I don't like using another plug (power). I'm going to change my flow tomorrow by replacing an always on powerhead with a wave-maker pump that I picked up. I'll pay attention to circulation at the top. Kalk in the top off will be a last ditch item. I would like to know if anyone in the club is adding Kalk to a top off with a CaRX and how much they are using per gal of top off water to buffer ph. I would prefer that the CaRX provide most of the Calc/Alk/Magnesium. 

Thanks again!!

Hi all, my CaRx controlled by Apex is working good but my tank PH is running a bit too low with a low demand. I’m afraid this is going to get a lot worse as I increase demand. By low I mean the 7.5 range in the low end. I don’t have a good option to run an outside line to my skimmer so I was thinking Kalkwasser in the top off water? What are your thoughts on my issue?

thanks 

John 

I’ll take 

bowtie blaster, buttkisser, sunny d, yellow brick road, Halle berry, rainbow Paly, purple monster, and spitfire if you have those

see you tomorrow 

Sounds good, see you tomorrow 

10:30 or 11:00? 

Sweet. I’m in Round Rock as well. Will you be home tomorrow?

Where are you located?

Do you have any frags left?

Or reborn and neomag if I dump the media from my initial reactor that I chose not to use.

I’m using reborn and remag 90/10

Thanks guys! After seeing this feedback and seeing a video called “alternative method that’s too easy,” I think I’ll start with 1 bps, a slow effluent flow (not bubbles), and a start/stop on my chamber of 74/73 ph and step down from there depending on my tank ph/alk response. This should give me a safety factor on spikes and hopefully let me know what my tank is looking for with this beginning load.

Hi Jolt, thanks bud! 1 bubble per sec seems like a lot for a low demand? Ty has a CarbonDoser, Ty, ideas on setting one up? I thought Dan had one as well?

Do you still have the bubblegum?

Are all of these sold? If not I’ll take some 

Hi all, I’m getting a reef Octo cr200 Calcium Reactor, a Carbon Doser regulator, and running a Sicca Synchra 0.5 pump for effluent until my Kamoer FX-STP peri pump arrives. I have very low demand system with 130 gal (at the moment), and could use some initial setup recommendations on the Carbon Doser (co2 pressure, bubble size and count, and initial effluent output speed. Can you help? 😊

Tank/Stand gone, thanks ARC!

I’ve received multiple contacts. Thanks ARC. I’ll let you all know if it is available after tomorrow. Thanks!

Fluval M90 aquarium and stand, 36gal rimless tank with built in sump and frosted rim. Free to first person to contact me. 512-964-8021

John Scott

On 8/19/2018 at 10:49 AM, SAM said:

Thinking about putting 2 maroon in the Main Display, gonna choose from these and 2 clownfish in the frag tank.

I'm leaning toward 1 lighting and 1 gold nugget.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 

I have 2 x Lightenings in my 120 and they are doing fine. I think you will like those. I would add them close to last though. Actually the Snowflake Ocellaris in there is WAY more aggressive. I'm guessing things may change once the Lightenings grow up. Your build looks great btw. 

Are the mushrooms all sold?

Sorry, this went to the wrong message.  This item is still available.