Dual chamber CA reactor question

OGFrenchHorn

OGFrenchHorn

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I've been running the Vertex dual chamber reactor for a few months now. Recently I noticed that it doesn't keep my alk and CA levels. They drop to 6dkh and 390ppm. When I was running a single chamber reactor I didn't have any issues. I did fill the second chamber with ca media. Could that be buffering the effluent to the point that it interferes with keeping the levels up?

I did take most of the media out and put a little in the top chamber. I'll be testing everyday to see if that helps.

If your running a dual chamber reactor, what media do you use in the second chamber?

Here's how I have it set up now




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Smite

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So strange. I run a dual chamber GEO. Both chambers filled with TLF rebourne. The second is 3/4 full. I run a high pH @ 7 in the first reactor with a higher affluent rate to avoid clogs. Maybe it's not having a chance to buffer down much in the second chamber. Of course my tank's consumption is probably a fraction of yours.
 
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pirate2876

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Whats the PH of the effluent? Are you counting drips or constant stream method? I run the constant stream method from my reactor and its super stable with a higher PH.
 
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M3ace9

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Whats the ph in your reactor? If your alk is dropping you need to increase the bubble rate to drop the ph in the reactor and increase the melting. I would not suggest going under 6.5 though. If you have done this and are still struggling with alk then your reactor is not suited for your tank. When is comes to Alk and Cal consumption ratio it will vary from tank to tank. If you have a heavily stocked sps dominated tank then you will need to supplement cal to keep it in the mid 400s if thats what you desire. The reactor will always produce the same ration of alk to cal.
 
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kajung2k

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The second chamber helps raise the ph of the effluent. If anything it will raise the alk of the effluent. You should keep the second chamber filled.
 
OGFrenchHorn

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Smite said:
So strange. I run a dual chamber GEO. Both chambers filled with TLF rebourne. The second is 3/4 full. I run a high pH @ 7 in the first reactor with a higher affluent rate to avoid clogs. Maybe it's not having a chance to buffer down much in the second chamber. Of course my tank's consumption is probably a fraction of yours.
Click to expand...
I do have a lot of SPS but it's only a 45G tank. The reactor is rated for a way bigger tank.

pirate2876 said:
Whats the PH of the effluent? Are you counting drips or constant stream method? I run the constant stream method from my reactor and its super stable with a higher PH.
Click to expand...
I bought a PH test kit but i got the wrong one. I accidentally got a fresh water one. I got the drip set to 50 ml per minute.

M3ace9 said:
Whats the ph in your reactor? If your alk is dropping you need to increase the bubble rate to drop the ph in the reactor and increase the melting. I would not suggest going under 6.5 though. If you have done this and are still struggling with alk then your reactor is not suited for your tank. When is comes to Alk and Cal consumption ratio it will vary from tank to tank. If you have a heavily stocked sps dominated tank then you will need to supplement cal to keep it in the mid 400s if thats what you desire. The reactor will always produce the same ration of alk to cal.
Click to expand...
I dropped the PH to 6.6 using a ph probe and an Apex. Yes, but I'm running a reactor rated up to 265G's on a 45G tank. I was running a GEO rated for a smaller tank before with no problems That's why I'm wondering if the second chamber has anything to do with it.

kajung2k said:
The second chamber helps raise the ph of the effluent. If anything it will raise the alk of the effluent. You should keep the second chamber filled.
Click to expand...
Ah, I see. I'll run it like this for a week to see if anything changes. If not I will fill it back up.


Could the problem be with the CO2?
 
OGFrenchHorn

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cmsurfr22 said:
When was the last time you calibrated the pH probe in the ca reactor? I have the same reactor on my 60G and it keeps it very steady.
Click to expand...
It's been about 3 months so it's due for a recalibration. How much media did you use in the second chamber? what did you set your effluent rate at?



I accidentally grabbed a fresh water ph kit so I have to go back and grab a saltwater one. My alk is at 10dkh in the tank for a second day in a row and the effluent is at 20dkh.
 
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cmsurfr22

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Both of my chambers are about 3/4 full. Not sure what the fluent rate is BH it its just about a pretty steady quick drip. I don't have many SPS
 
ndrwater

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pirate2876 said:
Forget everything you've been told about tuning your reactor. Use this method: [video]https://youtu.be/gwlvfgDvQqg[/video]
Click to expand...
Although that guy is just barely above painfull to watch, that video is what I have been looking for in regards to tuning a reactor. Really a great video info wise.
Thanks for posting it Ray!!
 
OGFrenchHorn

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pirate2876 said:
Forget everything you've been told about tuning your reactor. Use this method: [video]https://youtu.be/gwlvfgDvQqg[/video]
Click to expand...
That video was so painful to watch! lol That's the way I run my reactor. When I first started, Mike @<a href="http://www.socalireefs.com/forums/member.php?u=4303" target="_blank">smalltime</a> taught me how to set in up the way that guy explained it except that he made me learn how to run in manually before I learn how to run it with a controller. Since I took most of the media out of the second chamber my levels have been steady. Maybe I just needed to clean it out (the reactor). I'll add it back in next week.
 
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pirate2876

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When trying to dial all that in remember your salinity will also contribute to your numbers. How? Well, I don't remember the explanation for that but, it does. All I remember is that a reaching those #'s is easier if you have your SG at 1.025 or higher.
 
OGFrenchHorn

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pirate2876 said:
When trying to dial all that in remember you salinity will also contribute to your numbers. How? Well, I don't remember the explanation for that but it does. All I remember is that a reaching those #'s is easier if you have your SG at 1.025 or higher.
Click to expand...
I remember something like that too. I keep mine at NSW levels 1.026
 
rayray

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I do recall the 2nd chamber is for scavanging excess CO2, so that you can run the first chamber pH really low to melt more dead coral without dropping the tank pH which would inhibit living coral from using that good stuff. Some guys used coarse medium in the 1st chamber so it didnt melt so fast, fine in the second so it got the rest of the CO2 so they would decrease the same amount and they can be changed put at the same time.
 
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