Typically, a calcium reactor is added after the tank is established and stocked with corals that are growing and have a heavy demand for calcium and alkalinity. Having said that, you can certainly set one up during the initial build and then tune the reactor as needed based on the demand that will surely increase over time as corals are added to the reef tank.
I’m confused the Aquamaxx comes with a pump does that mean I still need to buy a dosing pump to run it? It dosent explain where to set the feed pump up either
So the effluent or water entering the tank from the reactor should measure the targeted pH range of 6.6 which is also the pH inside the reactor, correct? In other words, is 6.6 pH calcium rich water entering the aquarium?
Yes, this is correct and this low pH effluent water will have an effect on the pH in your display tank and this is the reason we need to slowly drip the water into the display. " Some hobbyists will even set up a second chamber full of Aragonite media that helps remove some excess CO2 from the effluent water before it enters the aquarium. With a lower dissolved CO2 level, the pH will be less acidic and help prevent the calcium reactor from dropping the pH in your display drastically.
Yes, you can certainly dose whatever your tank still needs after adding the reactor. ICP testing is a great way to keep a close eye on those trace elements. Check it out below. www.marinedepot.com/ICP_Water_Analysis_ICP_Analysis_Single_Pack_Water_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-CoralVue-CV1691-FITK-vi.html
What do you do when you need high calcium levels, but require a lower alkalinity level such as when carbon dosing with pellets or Zeovit? How do we keep alkalinity in the 7-8 range with a calcium reactor? Thanks. Daniel
dangappa This would probably be a better situation for using a supplement, but many hobbyists do successfully run a calcium reactor and Zeovit. You would end up running minimal CO2 for a less concentrated effluent solution. As long as calcium is balanced to start, it should maintain at the desired levels along with alkalinity.
Are calcium reactors or any other type of reactor really necessary? Would it be possible to have a reef tank without them and without having to dose calcium?
The target pH inside your tank is 8.3 but the reactor is not designed to maintain pH. It is designed to enrich the water with elements that corals need. Feel free to ping our technical support team anytime if you wish to discuss it further, we are always happy to help! Customercare@marinedepot.com 1-800-566-3474