Alk issues with Vertex CA Reactor
- Thread starter OGFrenchHorn
- Start date
Have you tried running it with different method? So instead of dripping the effluent, you can let it stream and control alk with just co2 adjustment on the regulator. If you run it that way then the ph level in the reactor will be higher than I would guess at the level you have now and won’t melt the media so quickly.
What kind of media are you using? I have better experience with reborn than the arms media.
What kind of media are you using? I have better experience with reborn than the arms media.
I've been letting the effluent stream because it kept clogging with the drip method. Even with the stream method it eventually slows down to drip. I would imagine that this would raise the alk because of the longer contact time in the reactor but even them my alk is 8 dkh out of the reactor. At first I thought it was the secondary chamber so I took it off line. Now I'm thinking it's the needle valve. I'm thinking about moving it to the sump instead of where it is on the reactor. I'll probably take it apart and clean it since it's growing algae because its next to my fuge.
I'm also running zeovit and siporax but i don't know if that would affect alk. The strange thing is that sps is still growing
I'm also running zeovit and siporax but i don't know if that would affect alk. The strange thing is that sps is still growing
Hey Eve, have you considered bringing the alk up by dosing manually? It sounds like you have a pretty fast effluent rate. You're putting 5 dkh into the reactor and getting out 8 dkh. That might not be all that far of/sign of an issue with the reactor. If you lower you effluent and still only get 8 dkh out of the effluent line then I'd start looking for a problem.
I still have my GEO 618 and don't plan on using it until I upgrade down the road. If you need it to trouble shoot possible issues with you system you're welcome to it. I have the Co2 setup still also welcome to that if you suspect something with your needle ect. Mine ain't pretty but it worked, lol!
I still have my GEO 618 and don't plan on using it until I upgrade down the road. If you need it to trouble shoot possible issues with you system you're welcome to it. I have the Co2 setup still also welcome to that if you suspect something with your needle ect. Mine ain't pretty but it worked, lol!
I did bring my alk up manually because I know that ca reactors are only to maintain levels and not raise them. I'll be monitoring more closely to see if it can keep up. I think the others might be right. I may need to go bigger but I'll let you know about borrowing your reactor... Actually I might need to hit you up for your tomato bin if you still have it, I might be moving again haha
I think you're right. I went back to look at the rating and it rated for 265 according to MD but BRS says 264 and only 120 in an sps dominant tank. I got a mix reef but I do have a lot of big sps colonies. I guess this reactor can't keep up. That's a bit of a disappointment since this reactor holds a lot more media and is taller than the GEO I had.
So when this Vertex came out people were saying that taller reactors are better. My Geo was way shorter but it was wider (bigger circumference) and it was a lot more stable. I had that geo running a 225G with lots of sps colonies in a mixed reef. So I guess my next question is what should I look for in a new reactor?
I think you're right. I went back to look at the rating and it rated for 265 according to MD but BRS says 264 and only 120 in an sps dominant tank. I got a mix reef but I do have a lot of big sps colonies. I guess this reactor can't keep up. That's a bit of a disappointment since this reactor holds a lot more media and is taller than the GEO I had.
So when this Vertex came out people were saying that taller reactors are better. My Geo was way shorter but it was wider (bigger circumference) and it was a lot more stable. I had that geo running a 225G with lots of sps colonies in a mixed reef. So I guess my next question is what should I look for in a new reactor?
I just went through this with my reactor and took it apart to fix it. I had noticed the CO2 was just running all the time. The reg was always open, and I was still having trouble getting my DKH to 8 in the tank. When I re-calibrated the probe I noticed the media in the secondary tube was melting down. When I replaced my media I put the sponge under the media, instead of on top of it. I emptied the reactor and removed the sponge and I have had no problems since. The sponge was preventing the recirc pump from doing its job and the CO2 was running out of the reactor rather than through.
Your issue could be different but, I would make sure the recirc pump is working well and is unrestricted. Just my .02$
Your issue could be different but, I would make sure the recirc pump is working well and is unrestricted. Just my .02$
So I've been thinking... (yes it hurt) lol
what if I re do the plumbing on the reactor? The lid has 2 hoses coming out of it. 1 is for excess CO2 that gets sucked back in to the manifold to the recirculating pump and the other goes to the second chamber to buffer through media before it goes back into the tank.
What if I take the line for the excess CO2, run it through the secondary chamber, then run that back to the recirculating pump and get the effluent from somewhere else. Would that work? the secondary chamber won't have a recirculating pump and will only be fed by a 1/4 inch hose so not a lot of flow will be going through it.
what if I re do the plumbing on the reactor? The lid has 2 hoses coming out of it. 1 is for excess CO2 that gets sucked back in to the manifold to the recirculating pump and the other goes to the second chamber to buffer through media before it goes back into the tank.
What if I take the line for the excess CO2, run it through the secondary chamber, then run that back to the recirculating pump and get the effluent from somewhere else. Would that work? the secondary chamber won't have a recirculating pump and will only be fed by a 1/4 inch hose so not a lot of flow will be going through it.
Tested my levels just now because someone hit me up about my nutrient levels. I haven't tested since September I think... well, this is what I got:
Alk: 6 DKH (really low) ~API
Calcium: 425 ppm ~Salifert
Magnesium: 1080ppm ( a little low) ~Salifert
Nitrate: 0ppm ~Salifert
Phosphate: .01ppm ~Hannah Checker
Here's the thing. Yesterday I rose my Alk to 8 dkh and 24 hrs later my alk is at 6 dkh. The test kit is not expired. It dropped 2 points from one day to the next! does that seem right?
Alk: 6 DKH (really low) ~API
Calcium: 425 ppm ~Salifert
Magnesium: 1080ppm ( a little low) ~Salifert
Nitrate: 0ppm ~Salifert
Phosphate: .01ppm ~Hannah Checker
Here's the thing. Yesterday I rose my Alk to 8 dkh and 24 hrs later my alk is at 6 dkh. The test kit is not expired. It dropped 2 points from one day to the next! does that seem right?
