CA reactor

[Fireclown]

Care to explain how a CA reactor works? Probably some websites..

[jd_n]

Calcium Reactors are pretty simple to build, and the concept is easy so any needed modifications are easy to do as well.

The idea is to create an area of low pH (6.5 -6.6) and circulate water through aragonite in this area.

CO2 canisters and regulators can be be bought easily. One that will regulate smaller pressures works best. A check valve is put between the C02 regulator and the "t" in the water line.

The input comes from the tank or sump and is mixed with co2 and then enters the reactor. By placing the input next to the intake of the powerhead, it gets sucked into it and forced to the bottom of the reactor. The powerhead keeps water circulating in the reactor. It doesn't require a big one.

A very small amount of water moves between the tank and the reactor, so it works best with another "t" placed in the output of your pump. You will also need a valve between the " t" in the water line and the "t" where the co2 comes in so you can adjust the flow. All this is done with clear airline tubing so that you can count the bubbles of co2. A bubble every second or so is a good start. The rate of flow through the reactor should me around 1 ml per 2 second to start and adjust from there.

After you have it going at the above rate you will need to monitor it closely to get it adjusted properly. Good circulation in the sump will help any excess co2 from lowering you pH but you should watch it. A pH monitor is almost a must. Keep track of you calcium and alkalinity. If the ca, or alk levels drop ,increase the flow through it a little. Then adjust the pH in you reactor to keep it around 6.6, if you get your pH to low in your reactor it will be milky coming out and turn your aquarium milky

[Fireclown]

How many pumps or powerhead does a CA reactor needs? How does the output dosing be controlled?

What's the ideal CA and KH in the chamber?

Sorry for asking so many question, thinking of getting a CA reactor.

[Tanzy]

Minimum one pump for recirculation within the ca reator. Some designs can suck water into the reactor whilst other require another pump or T-off to feed the reactor, but that is usually for large reactors.

Nobody bothers to measure the ca and dKH of the water in the reactor. Usually, it's the effluent that's mornitored.

[Fireclown]

Thanks for the details Tanzy. I think i'm gonna get a CR.

[ervine]

If effluent keeps going out, how is the volume of water in the reactor replaced?

[Achilles Tang]

Ervine... you need to pump water into the CR.

[RAV-65]

Anyone can estemiate how long an average tank of co2 would last?

Vincent Ho