my new calcium reactor

[jeremyreef]

So it came today :grin::grin::grin:. Got the call from Justin today, so I had to drop what I was doing and run up to Aquatic Specialists to pick it up. Here it is, but the regulator does not come in until Monday so it will not be in action until then.

[chromiumlux]

Well, take it outta the box man!!!!

[jeremyreef]

patience grasshopper :grin: here she is and it is awesome!

[marinelife]

What size co2 tank you going to get?

[jeremyreef]

i have a 5 and a 10 in my work van. then we have a 20 at the warehouse i could grab and fill. what do you think i should use? i was thinking the 10 to start with.

[TechGuy40]

Wow Octopus makes reactors? Very cool.

[marinelife]

I have a 20 on mine only costs $19 or so to fill.

[jeremyreef]

Wow Octopus makes reactors? Very cool.

yeah the funny thing is i didnt even know what kind it was until a day of two ago (just trusted Justin). when i found out i had a big grin on my face. :grin: they seem to make some really nice products.

[jeremyreef]

I have a 20 on mine only costs $19 or so to fill.

how long does that last you?

[TechGuy40]

yeah the funny thing is i didnt even know what kind it was until a day of two ago (just trusted Justin). when i found out i had a big grin on my face. :grin: they seem to make some really nice products.

Yes they do! A reactor is on my list. For now I guess the Kalk drip will have to do.

[marinelife]

about 6 months

[jjoos99]

I keep my ph alittle towards the upper range of ph for the reactor and I have only had to refill mine once in the last 2 years or so. My far the most care free way to maintain your ca and alk. Just go slow at first getting it set up right to fit your tank needs. The only issue I have ever had with mine would be my alk creeping up on me before i knew it. I caught it by seeing several of my corals start to turn white on their tips. So watch your corals to see how they react to your new reactor.
Jeff

[jeremyreef]

thanks for the advise. how did you solve the alk issue?

[jjoos99]

I just lowered the bubble count down on the co2. The alk came down normally within a few days. Did your new reactor come with a bubble counter? the biggest trick is getting the flow and the bubble count set to your tanks need. Just start slow with it and test your ph, ca and alk alot at first.
jeff

[jeremyreef]

yeah it has one, i will figure it out (i hope :) ) this kalk reactor is just not cutting it anymore, also it tends to dose too much if you don't monitor it. this unit should save money in the long run.

[jjoos99]

here is a link to mrc site that gives instructions on setting one up and getting it dialed in in case yours didnt come with instructions. http://www.myreefcreations.com/CR-Single-Instructions
Jeff

[jeremyreef]

nice, thanks! didnt see that one yet. this should run smoothly due to all of the info on the net. i am finding threads all over the place with people and this reactor/set up process. seems like only a few have had minor issues with it, and they explained how they solved them. i cant wait to get that regulator monday and get this baby going.

[chromiumlux]

Tagging along on this thread for when the time comes for a reactor as well. Thanks

[jjoos99]

I was talking with a fellow hobbyist today up at aquatic specialist and he had a tank crash due to dosing pump/controller trouble using kalk. Lost most all of his sps due to a major drop in alk. Just reaffirms to me the peace of mind with a reactor.
Jeff

[jeremyreef]

I was talking with a fellow hobbyist today up at aquatic specialist and he had a tank crash due to dosing pump/controller trouble using kalk. Lost most all of his sps due to a major drop in alk. Just reaffirms to me the peace of mind with a reactor.
Jeff

i think that is exactly the road i was headed down. low alk and cannot get it up at a safe enough pace (using just kalk). luckily i acted fast and Justin quickly got it on order for me, thanks again buddy. :)

[Aquatic Specialists]

i think that is exactly the road i was headed down. low alk and cannot get it up at a safe enough pace (using just kalk). luckily i acted fast and Justin quickly got it on order for me, thanks again buddy. :)

Yeah man... :D

[jeremyreef]

the regulator came today :grin: also i got the 20# tank filled as well, it is all ready to be hooked up. :grin: the regulator appears to have a bubble counter on it as well! so i guess i will be running dual bubble counters :grin: so it should be up and running today! here is the regulator.

[marinelife]

Nice, can not wait to hear how it goes for you!
Not sure you could run both bubble counters at the same time.

[hdelectraglide]

looks real nice

[jjoos99]

I agree with Eric on the bubble counter. Once the co2 gets to the bubble counter it will be directed into the water stream of the reactor so a second counter wouldnt be of any benefit. Use the nicer of the two. get your test kits ready. Calcium, alk, and ph. Post any questions if you run into anything.
Jeff

[chromiumlux]

Tagging along

[jeremyreef]

it is up and running after a long night of installing (thanks justin for the help). as far as i can tell the only way to run it is with 2 bubble counters. the regulator b.c. is half full of rodi, the other fills up automatically when the reactor is full. seems to be no problems with it, just took a while to get all of the air out and the lines properly pressurized.

[jeremyreef]

:update: my alk is up to 9dkh and my ca is 480 :cheers: now to make sure this stays stable. still need to check mag. :wink:

[jjoos99]

that is great. Are you using a controller for the ph? Most people highly recommend one but I have had success with my reactor without a controller. I have always run a low mag level though. there should be something I could put into the reactor but I have never known what to use.
jeff

[jeremyreef]

yes i do run one, it is a Milwaukee sms-122. so far it works great. here is a pic, pardon the mess i still need to organize the wiring. :laugh:

[jjoos99]

gotta love the high tech stuff for our hobby. I almost like the build and research of project as much as I do my corals and fish. What is really gratifying is when things work and your corals show it.
jeff