What is a calcium reactor for saltwater?
What is a calcium reactor for saltwater?
In marine and reef aquariums, a calcium reactor creates a balance of alkalinity. An acidic solution is produced by injecting carbon dioxide into a chamber with salt water and calcium rich media. A calcium reactor is an efficient method to supply calcium to a reef aquarium.
Does a calcium reactor raise pH?
Calcium reactors will typically cause a slight drop in average pH values inside your display, this is universally known. If we can prove that this secondary chamber will mitigate that drop in pH, reefers will find a benefit.
Do you need co2 for calcium reactor?
A calcium reactor uses carbon dioxide to melt old coral skeleton and enrich the tank water with calcium and alkalinity. Presumably, in the same ratio that the new coral skeleton will use it. In addition, other elements bound up in the coral skeleton, such as strontium, are also added in the process.
When would you use a calcium reactor?
If your corals are beginning to outgrow your aquarium and you’re considering moving to a bigger tank, that’s an ideal time to work a calcium reactor into your new & improved reef aquarium system. There’s no reason you can’t set up and run a calcium reactor from the start of a new tank.
Does calcium reactor raise ALK?
As an example, for each 1 mEq/L alkalinity (2.8 dKH) the calcium reactor adds 20ppm calcium. If your tank starts out with 3 mEq/L alkalinity (8.4 dKH) and 320 ppm calcium, and you raise the alkalinity to 4 mEq (11.2 dKH) using the calcium reactor, then the calcium level will only increase to 340 ppm!
Does a calcium reactor maintain alkalinity?
A calcium reactor is a more advanced method of maintaining calcium and alkalinity in a reef tank. It eliminates many of the common problems reefers experience using other methods. Intermediate and advanced hobbyists alike generally love the advantages a calcium reactor offers and achieve great success using them.
How long does CO2 last calcium reactor?
about 3-4 months
Our 10 lb CO2 tanks last about 3-4 months, and when they run out, it is a good time to take the reactor apart and clean everything and top off the media.
Do I need a reactor in my reef?
Media reactors just hold media (GFO, GAC, biopellets, etc). You only need a media reactor if you need one of those types of media.
How long does a 10lb CO2 tank last Aquarium?
10lb. Co2 tank. lasts about 9 months.
Do reef tanks need calcium reactors?
Anything under 100 gallons probably does not need a calcium reactor, as most experienced hobbiest either have really big tanks or really tiny, nano tanks. Unless your rock is bathed in sps coral, you do not need a calcium reactor.
How many bubbles per second is CO2?
To release the CO2 from your regulator, slowly turn the needle valve about half a turn and wait for the CO2 bubbles to be seen through your bubble counter. Using the needle valve again, aim for around 1-2 bubbles per second coming through your bubble counter (a higher rate may be required in larger aquariums).
