Testing Calcium reactor effluent | The Aquarium Solution

Testing Calcium reactor effluent

Question:

Tony

I am currently reading through your notes on "setting up a Calcium
reactor via a Ph Controller" (which I have recently purchased from
Porton Aquatics/Ventures). It all appears quite clear until I look at
the dkh readings in the excellent article. What units are these in
(e.g '... you are aiming for an effluent dh of between 35-50dkh ...')?
as these figures do not appear to correlate with my 'test
kits/internet searches etc').

The second question is
My salt water reef tank has a Vol of approx 870 litres, with holding
tank/sump of about the same giving a total water volume of 1740
litres.
I have purchased a SC2060 SKIMMER (with manual cleaning head), as well
as PF601 Calcuim Reactor. These have been sized based on my total
volume which information on your website appears to imply.
When I purchase the Nitrate Filter and Phospate Filter should I size
on this total volume (somewhere I have read on your website not to
oversize!!!).

Many thanks in anticipation

Regards

Brian

Answer:

Hi Brian, hope you are well

When calculating the effluent Dkh of the reactor you will have to use your
chosen test kit
in a different range mode. As kits are typically designed to measure between
0-16 dkh(ranges that maybe
found when testing a salt water aquarium) you will need to alter the way you
test to be able to read
the high Alkalinity that the reactor will be putting out.

For example:
Salifert kit.

Only use half the stated amount of sample water and use RO water to make up
the amount of sample
to that required for the test. Carry out the test as you would normally but
multiply the end result by two to give the
correct dkh of the calcium reactor effluent.

If you find that you don't get a colour change and the syringe runs out of
reagent fill it again and take note of the
extra amount of reagent used to change the colour of the sample.Read the
initial amount of reagent used and take
a reading from the included instructions, now take note of extra reagent
used and read from the chart. Add both
together and times by two to work out the reactors effluent.

D-D Alkalinity test kit.

Please view our online you tube instructional video here: (take note of
instructions at 5.26 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/user/stuartbertram#p/u/4/8zwxrGoPRs8

With regards to the reactor sizing the FR509 should be fine ( i ran one on
my 1000L system).
For the Nitrate reactor the NFP509 will do the job for a reef system with
normal stocking.

Thanks for your mail and hope this helps

Tony