Parimeters during installation of a CA reactor

[InfernoST]

Originally Posted by ccCapt

Depending on the flow rate of the canister, it can probably be used as the feed pump, but you want a slow flow thru the reactor.

The flow rate on my canister is 500 gph. How else could it be done without a sump?

[jsdancer]

Well guys things are looking better!
Last night I tested and here are the parimeters:
Tank dkh is down to 12.6
Tank Ph has gone up to 8.17
Tank Ca is down to 480

Effluent levels are as follows:
Co2 is dailed down to 6 dpm
Effluent dpm is at 55
Effluent dkh is 35
Effluent Ph is 6.97
Effluent Ca is 520

I plan to do a water chnage on Monday with reef crystals. I will use less salt.Why? Well according to the package the more salt I use the more Ca.Mg and Alk will be added to my system.
I only plan on allowing for a very small change in a lower levels Ca,Mg and Alk with the new water mix. I don't want to shock any of the corals by dropping any levels too quickly. This I feel would have an adverse reaction to them.
I have another quick question for you guys:
Those that use ca reactors have you noticed a drop in nitrates?

[InfernoST]

Originally Posted by jsdancer

Well guys things are looking better!
Last night I tested and here are the parimeters:
Tank dkh is down to 12.6
Tank Ph has gone up to 8.17
Tank Ca is down to 480

Effluent levels are as follows:
Co2 is dailed down to 6 dpm
Effluent dpm is at 55
Effluent dkh is 35
Effluent Ph is 6.97
Effluent Ca is 520

I plan to do a water chnage on Monday with reef crystals. I will use less salt.Why? Well according to the package the more salt I use the more Ca.Mg and Alk will be added to my system.
I only plan on allowing for a very small change in a lower levels Ca,Mg and Alk with the new water mix. I don't want to shock any of the corals by dropping any levels too quickly. This I feel would have an adverse reaction to them.
I have another quick question for you guys:
Those that use ca reactors have you noticed a drop in nitrates?

Wont your salinity suffer?

[jsdancer]

Right now my salinity is 1.023. I will mix and settle for 1.021.
This difference will allow the Ca,Mg in my tank water to remain constant without too much change. I am trying to be as stable and let them have more consistant parimeters.

[InfernoST]

Ok, I'm just a little confused why not just use regular salt?

[jsdancer]

I will be using Reef crystals.

[Kurt_Nelson]

I think they meant why not use a "regular" salt like Instant Ocean... or something that doesn't have high levels of calcium, etc....

I think by lowering your salinity levels to 1.021, you're going to offset any positive "health" issues you're trying to achieve by using the calcium reactor to start with.

[InfernoST]

Originally Posted by Kurt_Nelson

I think they meant why not use a "regular" salt like Instant Ocean... or something that doesn't have high levels of calcium, etc....

I think by lowering your salinity levels to 1.021, you're going to offset any positive "health" issues you're trying to achieve by using the calcium reactor to start with.

Thanks for clarifying that for me, I'm new to SW and still learning.