cheap Calcium Reactor monitor

[MIKE NY]

many of us just drip the CR effluent drip directly into our systems, sump etc..the problem is we don't know that something is wrong with the reactor until we test the tank and realize the cal or alk is off..by that time damage can be done to our corals etc. ...what I did, and have been using for many years, is use a small cup in which the efflunt drips into and placed a PH probe inside this way I can monitor the PH directly comming out of the CR. Also by dripping it at a higher level the PH can go up alittler higher before entering the system. Now I know, before any changes in my tank, that the CR is working correctly. A cheap reliable way of monitoring the CR. For example the PH in my cup is 7.0 and I know that my parameters in my tank are good..if the PH moves up or down I can make the adjustments before anything happens in the tank and we all know that as the media is being used or the pressure in the Co2 tank falls the bubble count as well as the drip can be effected...also the lines can be clogged etc...hopefully this can help others....

 

[NYreefNoob]

if you had the effluent cup on the skimmer side this would help lower any access co2 as well

 

[MIKE NY]

not enough room with the pump and tubing, but your right if I turn the skimmer pump around so the effluent cup drips right into the inlet, the skimmer will help blow off Co2 as well.......thanks for the idea!