Joe_P

I would go for montis esp the plating kind as filler pieces... Due to the lower lighting requirements, they should do fine under and between acro specimens.. Try to avoid the softies as companions .... Unless your reef is powered by a excellent skimmer and you practice regular chemical filtration...

The Korallin 1501 should be just nice for the kind of size that you are lookin for... Check out eaquanature... they got a promotion currently...

ain't the pH of the solution dependent on how much CO2 is injected?? therefore more CO2, means a lower pH and eventually better media dissolving?? I agree with the second statement that a taller reactor body will produce better results.... One question though, every individual system has different CA requirements... and I think it becomes pretty difficult to assess how much a reactor's height would be appropriate for a system..... (I know that the commercial reactors gives rating for tank sizes....) but that is merely jus a estimate as the amount of calcium demand per reef and that very much depends on livestock, sizes and their health ... eg.. a 3 footer reef filled to the brink with SPS will need more CA/dkH compared with a 5 footer housing only LPS.... In fact due to space constraints, most reactors can't go really tall...... since most guys would like them installed into their cabinets... so how tall can a reactor go??? So based on what you mentioned earlier... are you suggesting that once a reactor is no longer efficient due to height and design, the reefer should change his unit to a taller one??? and if the next taller one doesn't, go even taller... Therefore to counter the above mentioned, the most appropriate solution I can think of currently is to ..... 1) modify the reactors to hold higher volume rated pumps to make it fludised.. therefore creating better surface area contact of media with chamber solution... better efficiency.... 2) increase the CO2 to get better effluent results coupled with second chambers to handle the depressed pH.... These are the 2 most feasible modes to venture to without creating higher cost... of course if a reefer has more $$$ to burn, by all means get a larger unit... Maybe you got a better suggestion here to offer me...... exactly the reason why I design and build the hang on chambers... agree with the above statement quoted. So in a nutshell, the statements and evaluation that you made are correct ... I agree with them.... however, when I started buildin my range of CRs...(and in the near future, other equipments), one continual factor that will always bug me is how can I help reefers to upgrade their current equip (to meet their reef requirements) without increasing cost.... In a ideal senario, getting better and larger and in this case taller stuff is the best way to go..... I would do that too if I have lots of $$$$.... But I think that is something that most of us would like to avoid.....

I have actually used coral chips before for a CR.... didn't get much in the effluent till pH is reduced to around 6.5.... and I don't think there is any media with performance worse than that of coral chips.... In fact, reefers recommend a pH of 6.5 to 6.8 as a standard pH for most CRs... Yup, you are right with the above statement.... if ARM does not dissolve with pH above 7, then the best a 2nd chamber would do is to balance the pH at 7 before returning any effluent to the reef... You must however also understand that the pH in a CR is almost impossible to control without a pH probe connected to a controller which would automatically shut off the CO2 feed to a CR when the set pH is obtained (discussed by Weisoon in this thread).... IMO, both controllers and probes are expensive items to acquire.... So a CR left on its own without any monitoring/controlling device would definitely be a little more difficult to tune to maintain chamber pH consistency... That is where a 2nd chamber would come in handy ..... as a means to control the pH.... however, if the 2nd chamber does balance the pH (lets say from 6.8 to 7), wouldn't the effluent register with better readings if some dissolving takes place??? since to get a pH of 6.8 to 7, some reaction should take place ??? I'm currently testing the differential of CA/dkH readings between effluent from main chamber compared to effluent which have passed through a 2nd chamber. Notice a increment with my previous bubble count of 1 bubble per 3-4 seconds... I have up the bubble count to 1 bubble per second in the bid to lower the effluent pH..... with a attempt to find out whether a lower pH effluent would increase the differential between both readings...... I have been using ARM previously and did notice that the amount of CO2 pumped in does affect the readings of CA and dkH in the effluent... Meaning if I need more, I placed more CO2 in..... seriously, my reef would be in big trouble if I keep my pH at 7 using ARM...... Which brings me to this question... and that is : isn't the pH of a chamber related to how much the effluent registers???

AM considering T5s due to the 1.5 height that I'm keen in... 10 x 39 Watts T5s would defnitely give some good light coverage ... Not doubting MHs though except with a shallow setup... heating issues is something that I would be dealing often....

been readin though the post... can't seem to find any evidence of Weisoon mentioning the shut down of his CR's pump.... Hmmm .... Now where did that come from...???

Hi Guys, Considering using T5s for my new reef... was thinking of using 10 x 39 watts of them on a 3 by 3 square by 1.5 height reef.... Some questions though.... How many tubes can 1 electronic ballast drive??? and whats the price like??

If I have the $$$... would definitely consider a pH probe inserted into my CR.... a pH probe would defnitely help alot in keeping the pH of the solution in the reactor consistent... only releasing CO2 when pH increases and cutting off supply when the set pH value is met.... You would then not be required to always tune your reactor's CO2 supply... jus reply on the probe and pay attention to the effluent drip to obtain desire CA/alk levels.... my 2 cents...

Yes... did thought about that... and just like what Mike stated... by placing a soleniod on a timer..... I am working on addin solenoid valves and pH probe holder to my sets as options... It would however become a extremely expensive setup esp. when probes and controllers get involved.... something not many reefers are willing to get involved with... I believe many reefers are like me.... workin to keep cost as reasonable as possible.... I'm pretty contented with the performance of my CR running on a non solenoid CO2 regulator .... And it works.......

Did a test 3 days ago.... Following test based on 1 bubble count per 3 seconds.. Effluent drip of around 80 drops per minute... effluent through main chamber (24 inch effective chamber model) dkH : 35 CA : 540 effluent routed through 1 x 24 inch followed by a 16 inch hang on 2nd chamber.... dkH : 41 CA : 580 no test for pH since I do not hold possession of a pH probe... I have currently switched the bubble count to 1 bubble per sec with the effluent remaining the same.... Lets see if the depressed pH of the effluent due to more CO2 injected would bring about a greater differential in the readings between effluent with 2nd chambers and single ones....

Hi Ckpeh, Read your other posting in Fuei's Product Review thread... You might have some CO2 trapped beneath the lid and a routing of the excess back to the circulation would improve the performance of the CR... esp since you are already holding onto a rather large 2nd chamber.... no need for hang ons... Let me know when its appropriate to pay you a visit.... I'll help you set it up... and at the same time view your reef...

Thanks guys for your comments... I have previously considered the application of a higher volume rating pump for the CR in the bid of turning the reactors into fluidised units... However after some consideration, place that idea on hold due to the following... 1) high initial investment in acquiring of pump 2) higher running cost of pump since CR recirculation pumps function 24/7.. decided to work on 2nd chambers instead to put the pH of the effluent into a more managable state.... If any reefers would be interested in a fluidised unit or would like to consider modifying current units into one... do let me know... I'm thinking of using eheims 1260 to run larger units....

Nope ... no picture at the moment.. They are jus those standard tap valves ....

It is basically allowing trapped CO2 to be routed back to the water feed of the CR... in this case.... excess CO2 gets trapped jus beneath the cover of the CR... a tap valve built into the lid for the excess CO2 to be released is plumped to the feed of the CR... so the excess CO2 gets recirculated ......

Hi Guys, Looking for a 2 inch Spears Gate Valve.... Got a quote from a store but think its a little steep... Anyone got good lobangs...???

Yup... did miss out the wiring for CO2 recirculation for some setups... So those with the CR ... pls PM me... if you want it installed....

That was built as a dual beckett ..... supposed to be fed by 2 MD 55s... However since running it, realise that a single MD 55 on one beckett is giving the unit really cool results.... Most probably doing single becketts for the above from now on......

Will try to get more pictures... But for now... this should be sufficient....

Weileong, really cool setup you have there esp now with the new chiller..... For frags... give me some time.... I'm in the process of getting a new place and setting up my frag section again... and of course my new reef.... You can then make a trip down and have a really good look and drool.....

Some modifications to existing unit can be done ... no major issue here...

.... Are you running the unit on a SPS propagation facility???? I used to run a single unit on my previous 5 footer SPS dominated reef and its giving me results in the 11-12 dkH and 450- 480 CA range.... Your dual chamber should do much better....

Correct me if I'm wrong... pH of effluent has alot to do with the kind of media used... As the 2nd chambers are housing ARM... getting the effluent through a smaller cylindrical tube of certain length will help increase the pH of the effluent and at the same time get better Calcium and Alk readings.... The 3rd chamber administered is just to ensure that effluent is neutralised... (the KS symdrone I guess... ) anyway, have excess materials around so jus install one... We all know that 2nd chambers do help in neutralising low pH of effluent and at the same time bring better results in the CA/Alk readings ... however, I'm in the process to monitor how much each chamber of certain height does... esp since the 2nd chambers dun function on recirculation mode but rather by the slow drip process of the effluent.... BTW, one Calcium Reactor has enough space to hold up to 3 additional hang ons.... The tubings are setup so as to monitor the efficiency of the unit.... for my own evaluation of the system.... It is actually much simpler ....

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Hi Guys, Lost my mobile this afternoon after a outing to a reefers place... So for those who wish to remain in contact, pls SMS me .... please state name and nick for identification... Thanks..

Don't think its neccesary to increase the pump size due to the extension.... jus basically reduce the outflow from the Gate Valve and water level will rise to the level height required... Basically, as long as the water pressure from a pump is enough to push thru the beckett nozzle producing enough foam.... it should be enough...... I see the extension piece for beckett skimmer as a prolong timespan for the bubbles to react....... nothing more.....