Calc reactor help

[Jumpincactus]

I just got my reactor hooked back up after a big move. It had worked flawlessly for 5 mos prior.

I am achieving 400 on my calc levels although my Alk is hovering at 12 Dkh

I am popping 30 BPM and that was were I ran it at the old house, but it was running at a steady 9. Is this alk @ 12 dangerous? I know ideal is depending on who you talk to is between 7-11.

If I really should be concerned, how do I get my levels back down to around 9?? More Co2 or cut it back from 30 BPM

Thanks for your input.

 

[twilliard]

Are you talking about tank dKh?
I would do water changes to lower your tank dKh
30BPM is a good start. Whats your effluent rate at?

Your reactor dKh should be twice that amount.
Dont adjust your reactor to raise or lower your tank. Reactors are to maintain levels, not adjust them.

 

[Jumpincactus]

tankwater at 12dkh

 

[Jumpincactus]

That does not sound right to me.As I know calc reactors maintain levels and dont increase,although if the reactor isnt tuned correctly all the water changes in the world wont help. thats why I asked if my alk is too high do I add more or less Co2. I would think less correct??

 

[DonW]

Turn it back off and let alk fall. Get the tank in balance with two part and start over. Start off a little slower. If you have a efficient reactor it should be putting out upwards of 80dkh, so watch it carefully.

Don

 

[trido]

Hows it going down there in Renton?

AFAIK a calcium reactor can and will raise or lower your Dkh if it isnt tuned to meet your tank demands. It isnt recommended to use the reactor soley to raise or lower it because the parameters will swing all over while getting the drip rates/bubble counts correct. Using a two part in conjuction with the reactor is less stressfull on the tank inhabitants. Start with the reactor working light and use the two part to make up for its deficiencies. Slowly bring things up until the two part isnt required.

Im going through the exact same thing right now. Recently I was at 12.5 Dkh.

I did a 30% WC, turned off the reactor for three days, test, test, test, Turned it back on with a lower drip rate on both effluent and CO2 then slowly bringing levels back up to tank demands while testing more. I test every three days while doing this.