How to keep PH up with calcium reactor?

bassking16 · 04/10/2010, 08:56 PM

For those of you that are running a calcium reactor, what do you do to keep your ph up to proper levels. I will be using one on my new 150g set-up, and I know the CO2 will lower the PH of the whole tank.

I'm hoping to avoid dripping kalk, so any suggestions are welcome.

Thank You,
Bassking

oscar.millan · 04/10/2010, 09:14 PM

Dripping Kalk is a sure way to get it balanced, in both raising the Ph and consuming excess C02.

If you wish to keep your Ph up without Kalk, I would aerate heavily to allow excess CO2 to escape. Other then that, I don't have any other advise as my experience is limited with Calcium Reactors. I'm pretty well versed in Chemistry, not sure of any other way other than adding Kalk.

TheH · 04/10/2010, 09:49 PM

You can aerate just the water coming out of the reactor. For example, have it go into an empty soda bottle which overflows into the sump and just aerate that bottle. That way you can use a smaller (less noisy) pump.

TheH · 04/10/2010, 09:50 PM

Also, you can add a second chamber to your calcium reactor filled with more media. Running water through this chamber before it goes to your tank will raise the pH about 0.1-0.2

Atlanticmarine · 04/10/2010, 09:56 PM

A kalk or nelson nealson reactor is the way to go....... Precipitates c02 and po4. Raises alkalinity..... Or the aeration of the water exiting the reactor is really the only other way as long as your dripping a normal rate.... Over drip would cancel the aeration out of effectiveness....

tkeracer619 · 04/11/2010, 10:30 AM

My ph is 8.1 without kalkwasser. 8.5 with a kalkwasser stirrer.

Right now I don't have kalk in the stirrer. Solid 8.1

I do have a lot of flow and gas exchange. 33 square feet of surface area, 60x display turnover, 3000gph return and 90scfh through the skimmer. I leave a window open in my house all year.

lordofthereef · 04/11/2010, 03:00 PM

I have read of some simply feeding the calcium reactor effluent into/near the skimmer.

bassking16 · 04/11/2010, 09:24 PM

Okay, it looks like I won't get away from dripping kalk. That's fine since I am already set up. My question, now, would be... Should I drip kalk 24/7 or only at night? Should I drip less now with the reactor, or keep it about the same rate as my evaporation?

I just picked up a pinpoint PH controller. I now have the CO2 selenoid shut-off automated, so my PH shouldn't drop too much.

I have heard that running a sump/fuge light opposite of the DT lighting schedule would help maintain a steady PH as well. Is this true, and if so, is this true when running a calcium reactor.

I like the idea posted above about having the exit tube for the calcium reactor running into my skimmer output for aeration. I think I will try this as well.

By the way, does anyone have a picture of there calcium reactor set-up that they would be willing to post. That would be much appreciated.

Gary Majchrzak · 04/11/2010, 09:32 PM

use kalk as makeup for evap.

drip calcium reactor effluent from high above sump (water) to help blow off any excess CO2. Drip effluent into lit refugia containing macroalgae. Drip effluent in front of skimmer. Make sure to run a controller on the calcium reactor. Open your home's windows. Drip some more limewater

Dadekster · 04/11/2010, 09:48 PM

What Gary and some others have said plus I even added a spider plant and some other oxygen producing plant in my office. As of 2 weeks ago my PH has climbed 7.9 at night to 8.0 on average. Was pretty shocked tbh.

bassking16 · 04/12/2010, 04:58 AM

Sounds like I have a good plan of attack now thanks to all your response. Thank you very much to those who replied. I really appreciate it. It's almost go time for the new tank, and I feel alot more comfortable now with the calcium reactor.

Thanks Again Everyone,
Bassking

TheReeferer · 01/19/2017, 09:04 AM

I know this thread is old I was looking g for info. I have same issue of low ph with running a calcium reactor. My question is what's the point of running a calcium reactor if I also have to drop kalk to keep ph up. Can't I avoid the calcium reactor all together and just drop Calc?

With my geo 618 my ph is around 8.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

BlackTip · 01/19/2017, 09:10 AM

- Fresh air intake to the skimmer
- Drip the CaRx affluent near the skimmer intake
- Full dose kalk in ATO (2 tsp per gallon)

Also, you can add a second chamber to your reactor.

TheReeferer · 01/20/2017, 01:02 PM

Thanks do most lol with calcium reactors also run kalk?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

BlackTip · 01/20/2017, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReeferer

Thanks do most lol with calcium reactors also run kalk?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I do

Optionman · 01/20/2017, 01:18 PM

i run a dual chamber CA reactor 24/7 controlled by an apex fusion PH probe. the PH within the reactor ranges between 6.40-6.65 and my tank PH (measured at entrance to sump from overflow) ranges between 7.90 - 8.10 daily.

i dont add any Kalk but sometimes move the recirculating pumps to increase surface flow if the PH gets a little too low. i will be adding some larger plants to the room based on some of the comments above, thanks.

David MC Lee · 01/20/2017, 09:47 PM

Kalk at night.

GoVols · 01/21/2017, 02:47 AM

Get a dual chamber cal reactor. The second chamber de-gasses out co2 and your get a high ph return than a single chamber.

GEO just release their new dual chamber. Been thinking it over. I don't want to drip alk.

http://www.geosreef.com/product/geo-...lcium-reactor/

oldsalty · 01/21/2017, 03:15 PM

I dose ESV Part 1 daily (Alkalinity) Part 1 has a High PH like Kalc, I dose it 1/2 of what the normal dose should be. I use an automatic doser. PH 8 at nite and up to 8.4 during the day.

jda · 01/21/2017, 08:47 PM

Don't chase PH. Just keep the alk steady and forget about what your tank PH is. Seriously. There are millions of threads on this in the chemistry section archive.

Low PH is more likely from high CO2 in the ambient air in your home than anything else.

GoVols · 01/21/2017, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jda

Don't chase PH. Just keep the alk steady and forget about what your tank PH is. Seriously. There are millions of threads on this in the chemistry section archive.

Low PH is more likely from high CO2 in the ambient air in your home than anything else.

+1

I opens my windows and circulate as much as I can.

A homes trapped in CO2 is a reef aquarium's ph killer.

With that said... If I ever went back to a cal reactor it would be a dual chamber.

wrott · 01/21/2017, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jda

Don't chase PH. Just keep the alk steady and forget about what your tank PH is. Seriously. There are millions of threads on this in the chemistry section archive.

Low PH is more likely from high CO2 in the ambient air in your home than anything else.

+2
If you are injecting CO2 to water, the proper way to measure pH is to let sample sit for 3-4hrs open before measuring--it will be >8 for SW.
No need to chase #s w/ Ca reactor, no need for kalk unless your Ca is low--like in a heavy SPS tank. As long as alk is 2.8-3.5 mEq/L you should be ok.

TheReeferer · 01/21/2017, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrott

+2
If you are injecting CO2 to water, the proper way to measure pH is to let sample sit for 3-4hrs open before measuring--it will be >8 for SW.
No need to chase #s w/ Ca reactor, no need for kalk unless your Ca is low--like in a heavy SPS tank. As long as alk is 2.8-3.5 mEq/L you should be ok.

Ok it sounds like I don't need to worry about a ph in the range of 7.9 to 8.1? I thought this was on the low side.

I am running the dual chamber Geo reactor. Alk and Cal are in check.

GoVols · 01/22/2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReeferer

Ok it sounds like I don't need to worry about a ph in the range of 7.9 to 8.1? I thought this was on the low side.

I am running the dual chamber Geo reactor. Alk and Cal are in check.

7.9 to 8.1 is very acceptable

tkeracer619 · 01/22/2017, 04:46 PM

I still do. Don't need to but I like the boost in ph.

04/10/2010, 08:56 PM	#1
bassking16 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 336	How to keep PH up with calcium reactor? For those of you that are running a calcium reactor, what do you do to keep your ph up to proper levels. I will be using one on my new 150g set-up, and I know the CO2 will lower the PH of the whole tank. I'm hoping to avoid dripping kalk, so any suggestions are welcome. Thank You, Bassking __________________ If you don't want to stand behind our troops, then feel free to stand in front of them! Current Tank Info: 150g SPS 55g Sump/Fuge/Frag Tank

04/10/2010, 09:14 PM	#2
oscar.millan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,003	Dripping Kalk is a sure way to get it balanced, in both raising the Ph and consuming excess C02. If you wish to keep your Ph up without Kalk, I would aerate heavily to allow excess CO2 to escape. Other then that, I don't have any other advise as my experience is limited with Calcium Reactors. I'm pretty well versed in Chemistry, not sure of any other way other than adding Kalk. __________________ "Let the future tell the truth and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine." -Tesla Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef, 90g rimless cube.

04/11/2010, 10:30 AM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	My ph is 8.1 without kalkwasser. 8.5 with a kalkwasser stirrer. Right now I don't have kalk in the stirrer. Solid 8.1 I do have a lot of flow and gas exchange. 33 square feet of surface area, 60x display turnover, 3000gph return and 90scfh through the skimmer. I leave a window open in my house all year. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/11/2010, 03:00 PM	#7
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I have read of some simply feeding the calcium reactor effluent into/near the skimmer. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

04/11/2010, 09:24 PM	#8
bassking16 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 336	Okay, it looks like I won't get away from dripping kalk. That's fine since I am already set up. My question, now, would be... Should I drip kalk 24/7 or only at night? Should I drip less now with the reactor, or keep it about the same rate as my evaporation? I just picked up a pinpoint PH controller. I now have the CO2 selenoid shut-off automated, so my PH shouldn't drop too much. I have heard that running a sump/fuge light opposite of the DT lighting schedule would help maintain a steady PH as well. Is this true, and if so, is this true when running a calcium reactor. I like the idea posted above about having the exit tube for the calcium reactor running into my skimmer output for aeration. I think I will try this as well. By the way, does anyone have a picture of there calcium reactor set-up that they would be willing to post. That would be much appreciated. __________________ If you don't want to stand behind our troops, then feel free to stand in front of them! Current Tank Info: 150g SPS 55g Sump/Fuge/Frag Tank

04/10/2010, 09:49 PM	#3
TheH Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,278	You can aerate just the water coming out of the reactor. For example, have it go into an empty soda bottle which overflows into the sump and just aerate that bottle. That way you can use a smaller (less noisy) pump.

04/10/2010, 09:50 PM	#4
TheH Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,278	Also, you can add a second chamber to your calcium reactor filled with more media. Running water through this chamber before it goes to your tank will raise the pH about 0.1-0.2

04/10/2010, 09:56 PM	#5
Atlanticmarine Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 14	A kalk or nelson nealson reactor is the way to go....... Precipitates c02 and po4. Raises alkalinity..... Or the aeration of the water exiting the reactor is really the only other way as long as your dripping a normal rate.... Over drip would cancel the aeration out of effectiveness....

04/11/2010, 09:32 PM	#9
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	use kalk as makeup for evap. drip calcium reactor effluent from high above sump (water) to help blow off any excess CO2. Drip effluent into lit refugia containing macroalgae. Drip effluent in front of skimmer. Make sure to run a controller on the calcium reactor. Open your home's windows. Drip some more limewater __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

04/11/2010, 09:48 PM	#10
Dadekster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 356	What Gary and some others have said plus I even added a spider plant and some other oxygen producing plant in my office. As of 2 weeks ago my PH has climbed 7.9 at night to 8.0 on average. Was pretty shocked tbh.

04/12/2010, 04:58 AM	#11
bassking16 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 336	Sounds like I have a good plan of attack now thanks to all your response. Thank you very much to those who replied. I really appreciate it. It's almost go time for the new tank, and I feel alot more comfortable now with the calcium reactor. Thanks Again Everyone, Bassking __________________ If you don't want to stand behind our troops, then feel free to stand in front of them! Current Tank Info: 150g SPS 55g Sump/Fuge/Frag Tank

01/19/2017, 09:04 AM	#12
TheReeferer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 251	I know this thread is old I was looking g for info. I have same issue of low ph with running a calcium reactor. My question is what's the point of running a calcium reactor if I also have to drop kalk to keep ph up. Can't I avoid the calcium reactor all together and just drop Calc? With my geo 618 my ph is around 8. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

01/19/2017, 09:10 AM	#13
BlackTip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1,598	- Fresh air intake to the skimmer - Drip the CaRx affluent near the skimmer intake - Full dose kalk in ATO (2 tsp per gallon) Also, you can add a second chamber to your reactor. __________________ 325G DT. 100G sump. In-sump refugium. SRO-5000SSS. 2 Gyres 150. 2 Water Blaster HY-5000. 2 Razor 320W. Apex Gold. MR2 GFO. 2 800W Heaters. Tunze Osmolater. 2 20g-long QT tanks. Geo 624 CA. 80W UV

01/20/2017, 01:02 PM	#14
TheReeferer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 251	Thanks do most lol with calcium reactors also run kalk? Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

01/20/2017, 01:18 PM	#16
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	i run a dual chamber CA reactor 24/7 controlled by an apex fusion PH probe. the PH within the reactor ranges between 6.40-6.65 and my tank PH (measured at entrance to sump from overflow) ranges between 7.90 - 8.10 daily. i dont add any Kalk but sometimes move the recirculating pumps to increase surface flow if the PH gets a little too low. i will be adding some larger plants to the room based on some of the comments above, thanks.

01/20/2017, 09:47 PM	#17
David MC Lee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South of Springfield IL. Posts: 1,645	Kalk at night.

01/21/2017, 02:47 AM	#18
GoVols Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: VolNation Posts: 456	Get a dual chamber cal reactor. The second chamber de-gasses out co2 and your get a high ph return than a single chamber. GEO just release their new dual chamber. Been thinking it over. I don't want to drip alk. http://www.geosreef.com/product/geo-...lcium-reactor/ __________________ VFL Current Tank Info: 2013-RSM S-400 (Merlot) / BB / Mixed Reef / Lighting: Kessil AP700 with S-Series led bar / Bubble King 160 skimmer / GEO 2-Stage Cal Reactor with GLA dual-stage regulator / Teco TK-1000 Chiller & Heater / GFO & Purigen reactor's

01/21/2017, 03:15 PM	#19
oldsalty Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SanAntonio Texas Posts: 26	ESV Part 1 I dose ESV Part 1 daily (Alkalinity) Part 1 has a High PH like Kalc, I dose it 1/2 of what the normal dose should be. I use an automatic doser. PH 8 at nite and up to 8.4 during the day.

01/21/2017, 08:47 PM	#20
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	Don't chase PH. Just keep the alk steady and forget about what your tank PH is. Seriously. There are millions of threads on this in the chemistry section archive. Low PH is more likely from high CO2 in the ambient air in your home than anything else.

01/22/2017, 04:46 PM	#25
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I still do. Don't need to but I like the boost in ph. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.