Calcium reactor setup?

[sandswhitson]

I am setting up a calcium reactor for the first time and have some questions. I was reading on melevsreef that he controls the output of the effluent rate with a "pinch valve" is this a necessity or is there some other way of doing this? I also don't have enough media at the moment to fill the reactor all the way is this a problem? Also how do I know how many bubbles per minute to set the reactor at I know that I will have to play with it to get it fine tuned but what should I start at?

 

[sandswhitson]

I now have my reactor running but I don't know where to set the BPM and effluent rate to start. Any suggestions?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Low amount of media isn't a problem except for having to refill soon.

Read the instruction manual on your reactor. You want the effluent's PH below 7 such that it is dissolving media. The faster the bubble rate, the lower the PH in the reactor. Your drip rate is set to be balanced with your tank's calcium needs. Will need to tinker with each to get a feel for your system, and it's needs. I will find you some good links to read. What brand and size? What type media?

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/setting-deltec-calcium-reactor

 

[sandswhitson]

I bought the reactor used therfore no instructions. The media is Korallith. The reactor is a K2 Pro series.