Problems Keeping LEvels since Running Reactor

[DJYoshi]

It was PERFECT until I broke the bubble counter & had to replace it. I'm using the Korallin 1502. 5lb Co2 tank, solenoid controlled by reef keeper lite (set to turn on >= 6.65 ph w/ hysterisis at .05).

2/10
Mg: 1350
CA: 450
kh: 8.3

30 drops/minute
6 bubbles/minute

tests on 2/13
Mg: 1170
Ca: 410
kh: 7.3!

I thought if 1 drops, the other goes up (in respect to Ca/kh)

I've been reading a ton of web sites & the terrible korallin directions that came w/ the unit, but i just can't figure out my drip rate & bubble rate. Can anyone help out with this? It's something that I definitely don't want to have to go on any longer than 1 day since I just added some expensive SPS pieces to the tank... the sofites & LPS don't seem to mind the change... but since about 6 sps pieces are new, I don't want to shock the sh** out of the system.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

You going to first have to dose manual to get levels back to normal then i think the easy way of doing it without going nuts:
1) 30-50 bubbles a minute depending on your demend in the tank
2) have the drip rate come out almost a steady stream of water
3) test your ph coming out of the drip rate and it should be around 6.5-7.0 ph
4) keep testing water every day until you see it steady
most calcuim reactors are diffrent but this is the easy way i think without going to crazy understanding how it works. Once you get a steady ph then you will play around with bubble count and drip rate from there. The key is to get levels back to normal by dosing manual then calcuim reactor to keep it steady from there.

 

[Boomer]

I agree with Jarrett pretty much Dj but have you ever read these ?


A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.htm

Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html


One thing to remember on flow rates. If the flow is to fast there is less reaction time thus less of an increase in Alk and Ca++. If it is to slow it is the same, as the solution is so concentrated it just, more or less, precips right back out of solution. Same for Bubble count.

 

[DJYoshi]

I agree with Jarrett pretty much Dj but have you ever read these ?


A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.htm

Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html


One thing to remember on flow rates. If the flow is to fast there is less reaction time thus less of an increase in Alk and Ca++. If it is to slow it is the same, as the solution is so concentrated it just, more or less, precips right back out of solution. Same for Bubble count.

Thanks for the links Boomer. I've actually read those sites & others when I was deciding if I wanted to stick with 2-part dosing or move to a reactor for being automated. Since the demand in my tank isn't too high, I've been steady dosing at
60 drips/minute
15 bubbles/minute
for the past week.

i've basically been w/i +/- 5ppm on mg, ca and kh readings...
I'm assuming once the coral really get used to the system and the growth starts to take off that I'll have to tune again.