adjusting CA reactor

[+Hydro]

I have a vertex CA reactor and the directions aren't very clear on how to dial it in and what exactly the adjustments do. I have had it up and running for a few weeks now but my levels still arent leveling out. I can adjust the water flow through it, I can adjust the co2 output, I can adjust the PH within the reactor with the auto ph meter. I'm using the ARM brand coarse aragonite so I have the PH set for 6.5 (which is what I read online).

If I let more water flow through the reactor what will happen?

If I add more co2 what will happen?

Can you add to many co2 bubbles if you are using a ph meter to turn on and off the co2 regulator? It seems like that it will just shut off sooner the more co2 you let flow.

How do I use the reactor to raise my KH?

How do I add more calcium?

Thanks in advance, this thing is confusing to me.

[JimD]

Instead of trying to explain the details and the what ifs, take a look at this link and see if it helps to clear up some of the confusion..

http://www.melevsreef.com/calcium_reactor.html

[+Hydro]

I have read this before and it is a great article, but it is still confusing to me.

He says to increase KH either increase co2 bubbles or slow down the water flowing out of the reactor. So if you able to maintain 6.5 PH inside the reactor with the current amount of co2 I'm adding, how will adding more co2 change that? If I increase the bubble count then it seems like that would bring the PH down faster inside my reactor when co2 is needed, but as soon as the proper PH is reached that it will just turn off...sooner than it would with less bubbles. I don't see how that increases KH. He also suggest as an alternative to slow down the water flow...same thing...doesn't make sense to me. Sure you can slow id down to get more of a concentrated disharge but will this actually make the KH higher in the tank, seems like you are still supplying the same amount of conditioned water just diluting it. And also if I slow down the water flow I will be using less co2, which he suggests using more.

Now my thinking is that you want to INCREASE the water flow, which will require me to increase my bubble count to maintain the PH inside my reactor. So basically I'm dissolving more of the media with more water flow and additional co2...which should raise the KH and calcium levels.

Do I have this all backwards????

[mikedelgado]

I started off with a ph controller as you have,I had problems with it and gave up in the ph controller concept.I read the directions that came with my deltec reactor (difficult to understand for me). It said to use a timer instead of a controller to cycle the co2 solenoid. For many reasons this has been more effective for me.

1. manually adjust your alk and calcium levels with 2 part. very important!

2. adjust your flow thru rate and bubble count. These vary with type of media used and your patients with the effluent line clogging. I have found

that 1 bubble per second or even a little faster combined with a flow thru rate that is a stream just past a broken drip melts my arm fine grain media with minimal effluent line clogging. I drip the effluent into the filter sock in my sump to help gas off some of the excess co2. The sock is very turbulent (lots of bubbles) which I feel helps gas off the co2 since my bubble count and flow thru rate are agressive.

3. Plug the co2 solenoid into a timer. Set it for about 10hrs. check the alk after about 3-4 days. If it has gone down add more time to the timer until the alk reaches and maintains your desired level. If you get to the point where the timer is on for the full 24 hrs and alk isnt there yet then speed up the co2 bubble count or slow down the flow thru rate. But be careful as slowing the flow thru rate can cause clogging so speeding up the co2 is better.

4. At least once or twice a week check the effluent line for clogging.(dont let it clog!). Periodically check calcium and magnesium and dose accordingly.

[offroadodge]

so here goes the simplest concept... Get the tank stable at the PH you want 1st(like said above), next i tried the ARM media and it takes about 6.58 to melt it. So set the PH controller at that. Next set the PSI on the CO2 bottle at like 35(doesnt have to be exact). Next when the solenoid opens and u hear the CO2 mixing with the reactor water look at the bubble counter and match that rate with the drip rate going back to the sump/tank. At 1st keep it slow and watch the PH of the main tank to see if it is going to drop it to fast, if not start adjusting the reactor to get the KH where u want it. More CO2 bubbles= more KH and lower PH. Start the drip and bubble rate at like 1-2 bubbles every 5 seconds, but wait for like 8-12 hrs then check the PH of the Display tank. thats what i did when i started my reactor, now i just refill the bottle and media. Hopefully this helps. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ILL EFFECTS FROM THIS STATEMENT..........

[+Hydro]

Thanks for the advice you guys, I will try adjusting it again.

It will take me a while b/c I know that little adjustments 12-24 hrs apart is the way to go. I've been very careful with it, mostly my problem is that my KH has been to low. What is interesting is that before the reactor I had trouble keeping my PH up and KH down, with my current reactor settings it is just the opposite.

[offroadodge]

mine is the same also..... but now it stays at 7.5--8.5 KH like the ocean. Cal at 490ish. PH 7.97-8.29. MG 1600..... if u need to raise the KH initially remember use a buffer to get it there then let the reactor keep it there. Good luck and hopefully this helps. The 1st 3-4mnths of setting up my new tank i had to constantly dose a BUFFER to keep KH up, then once it stabilized the reactor was easy to maintain it. Havent added any buffer or calcium additives in like 7 months.

[+Hydro]

Good to know, thank you.

I turned up my water flow and co2 and my KH is now 10.5 and the PH is 8.2, it has been like this for days. Calcium is 390 so I'm adding supplements for that. I'm going to give this some time before making another adjustment, I can live with it where it is. Hopefully once I get my Ca up some it will stay that way.