Calcium Reactor Co2 Tank
- Thread starter jjboods
- Start date
convenience is really the only benefit f going bigger.
Consumption rate is linked to calcium load.
When you first set up a Ca rxtr, you should wait about 4-5 days, to see what your element levels are in the tank water, and fine tune the bubble count to meet requirements.
The biggest problem with folks and Ca rxters is that they are not anally diligent about making sure ALL fittings from the CO2 tank to the reactor are not COMPLETELY snug and leak-tight.
I've had bottles empty overnight b/c I didn't use teflon tape on my Regulator connection.
Make sure the space where the reactor is kept is well-ventilated too :wink:
Consumption rate is linked to calcium load.
When you first set up a Ca rxtr, you should wait about 4-5 days, to see what your element levels are in the tank water, and fine tune the bubble count to meet requirements.
The biggest problem with folks and Ca rxters is that they are not anally diligent about making sure ALL fittings from the CO2 tank to the reactor are not COMPLETELY snug and leak-tight.
I've had bottles empty overnight b/c I didn't use teflon tape on my Regulator connection.
Make sure the space where the reactor is kept is well-ventilated too :wink:
As Snapper said - the large tank is just a convenience thing and CO2 consumption rate will vary depending on Ca/alk demand of the tank, efficiency of your Ca reactor, what media you use, etc. Also, whether you're topping off with just freshwater or kalkwasser can make a significant difference too. The Ca reactor doesn't have to be driven as hard to maintain Ca/alk when used in conjunction with kalkwasser.
Something else you want to consider before you get a tank is where you're going to get refills. Some places do a tank swap, so if that's the route you're going, no sense in buying a new tank. You'll just end-up with an old crappy one after your first refill (swap). If you're going to get your tank filled locally and you want a nice shiny tank - by all means, go for it.
FWIW, the regulator-to-tank connection should be flare thread and teflon tape should not be required (nor is it recommended).
HTH
Something else you want to consider before you get a tank is where you're going to get refills. Some places do a tank swap, so if that's the route you're going, no sense in buying a new tank. You'll just end-up with an old crappy one after your first refill (swap). If you're going to get your tank filled locally and you want a nice shiny tank - by all means, go for it.
FWIW, the regulator-to-tank connection should be flare thread and teflon tape should not be required (nor is it recommended).
HTH
A local shop will refill a 3.5 lb tank for no more than $8-9. How well ventilated does it need to be? I would be keeping it under the tank in the stand. There is no back to the stand other than a 2x4. But then the stand is against the wall...maybe an inch away. Is that enough? Would I need to keep a fan under the tank to circulate air? I was also told by another person that they keep the Co2 tank away from the tank in case it explodes. Is that being too paranoid?
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