Korallin 1502 CA reactor questions?

[Marshal]

Well, took the plunge and bought a CA reactor. [img]/ubb/spineyes.gif[/img] The C02 regulator was back ordered so while I wait, I have a few qestions. Total water volume is about 80 gallons.
1)The destructions say to start with an effluent drip of 40 per min. and a bubble rate of 10 per min. If all goes well, the dKH will be around 25ppm with a ph of 6.7 or so. Assuming my current numbers stay the same dKH 7.7 and CA 400, How fast will this raise tank dKH and CA? I want to raise dKH about 1 point per week until desired (12) is reached.
2)Specific to the 1502 reactor, with a pressure feed system, won't the constant back pressure on a small powerhead seriously shorten its life? Could I run the feed from the return pump with a gate or ball valve and have that supply the reactor with water and pressure?
3)Is a new C02 tank and beverage grade C02 really necessary? or are they just trying to sell new tanks?

Had a few more but can't think of what they were at the moment, (long night at work) Any help here would be appreciated.

Thanks
Marshal

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[lehrens]

Marshal,
I am just about to order the 1502, I will be interested to see any response to your questions as I am sure I will have similar questions.

Lee
www.leesreef.homestead.com

[MtnDewMan]

I have been using the 1501 reactor for a couple of months now. Does real well at maintaining levels in my 29 gallon reef ... No problems getting it to be at 12 dkh and 475 ppm calcium. The main problem I have had was gas accumulation at the top of the reactor. The 1502 utilizes a stronger recirculation pump (Eheim 1048 vs 1046 ... twice the flow) and with this pump it is suppose to provide a better suction to keep the reactor pressurized better. In the meantime before I buy the new components to upgrad to the 1502 equivalent, I bought a Maxijet MicroJet pump. Once I get the last fitting I need, I plan on plumbing the microjet from my sump to the reactor to see how it does. I too was curious to see how it works on the life of the powerhead. So I guess I will find out soon enough. I figured $15 for the powerhead was worth the experiment. Maybe I won't need the upgraded pump for the reactor if this works well. Will save money in the long run.

You may not need a pump to feed your reactor at all. You may want to try it without the pump first. Or use black CO2 proof tubing and gravity feed from the main tank. That along with the higher rated Eheim may eliminate the need for a reactor feeder pump.

[Marshal]

Thanks for the responses. I will post any information, experiences encountered once getting this up and running. MtnDewMan: How fast does the reactor raise alk and ca levels? assuming a 40 drops/min and 10 bubbles/min c02. [img]/ubb/wink2.gif[/img]

Marshal

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[MtnDewMan]

Well that all depends on your load of course. It will be different for different people. I wouldn't count on it raising your levels per se either. A reactor (or dripping kalk for that matter) is great at maintaining levels. I pretty much got my levels to where I wanted them by using Kent Superbuffer and Turbo Calcium over a period of time. Then the reactor maintained them. Works much better doing it that way than to get the reactor to raise them.

[Schottman]

wait a minute your telling me a Calcium Reactor can only maintain lvls not increase them? This does not seem right. what if you never dose and want to add a reactor? Your saying I would have to drip kalk and use the Reactor to get my lvls up there?

Schottman [img]/ubb/spineyes.gif[/img]

[MtnDewMan]

No ... I am saying that it is more difficult to raise levels than to maintain levels. Dripping Kalk would also be difficult raising levels, much better at maintaining levels. Remember you are replenishing the calcium the animals are eating up and to increase levels you have to somehow balance that with additional quanities. Would be more difficult to balance out.

All I am saying is get your levels close to where you want them prior to starting up the reactor. I have never dripped Kalk ... I used the Kent products ... Superbuffer for increasing Alk and Turbo Calcium to increase calcium levels.

[Ironreef]

yup but with a cal reactor and an auto top off you gain lots and lots of freedom. My geo reactor saved me lots of $$$ from bionic but the real saving is in large tank =cal reactors can save alot of $$ if you have high demand for calcium= clams and sps.

[This message has been edited by Ironreef (edited 03-11-2001).]

[Marshal]

Well, the korallin 1502 has been up and running since the 15th of this month. Raising levels slowly. In 1 week time alk has gone from 7.4 to 8.6 and calc went from 365 to 400, in that time, mg 1200. Settings are as follows; C02 1 bubble every 3 seconds 20 bp/min and effluent is about 350 ml/hr. PH of effluent is 6.7, alk 40 and calc 600. Tank PH has stabilized to 8.0 at night and 8.3 at the end of lighting period. I have had no problems with C02 build up, bubble rate changing or effluent drip rate changing. I am noticing a vast difference in corraline algae growth and general health of the tank seems to be improving daily. Haven't added a thing to the tank in a week. aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh, freedom. Extremely satisfied thus far. I would highly recommend this reactor to anyone. Am considering adding a 2nd chamber just because.

HTH
Marshal

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[fisherman]

Dear friends,

Do you know any good LFS in the UK that sells Calcium reactors for a resonably price.

Thanks alot [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Mark

[Atkins]

Hi Mark,


Try here ....... www.s-t-m.co.uk

they sell the above reactor.
When i get a new one it will most likely be this one as i haven't heard a bad thing about it just yet.......mind you some have said the chamber may be too small ?

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Cheers

Marc
All credit for the webpage goes to Aquanut.... Marc's reef


One of the few worthwhile UK Reef BB's....HERE
Now with added CHAT

[Aquaman]

I also receintly purchased a Korallin reactor but mine was the 1501 model it has the 1046 pump rather than the 1048. This reactor is on my 125 gallon reef and is currently doing about 12 CO2 bubbles a minute and my effluent is about 30 per minute. I do get a C02 buildup but right now I'm not using a powerhead to push water into the reactor. Once I setup a microjet I expect that problem to go away! My ph effluent is 6.6 and tanks Alk is 3.2 with my calcium hoovering at 390 to 400 after two weeks in operation!

I looked a long time and did alot of research before getting this unit. Dollar for Dollar I think its the best out there.

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Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people

[Ninong]

Moved to Tanks, Filtration & Basic Equipment forum.

[lehrens]

I have ordered the 1502 and am waiting for delivery. I did not order the optional mini pump, Aquaman, is this to force water into the reactor as you say? It seems that I will need to put a small pump on, I also have a 125 and am looking forward to getting up and running with the reactor.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Lee

[Marshal]

I am currently running mine under a siphon from the main tank only just stuck a small airstone (freshwater type) on the inlet line and dropped it into the built-in overflow of my tank. At this time I don't see the need to add the pressure feed pump. However, it might make the reactor a little more efficient as it would put the cylinder under pressure.
Marshal

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[Schottman]

I am seriously tinking about going with a GEO or a BSME [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I already have the bottle and a set of western gauges [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Schottman [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]