Calcium Reactor

The addition of calcium to a salt-water aquarium is essential to coral/coralline algae growth and survival. In the oceans calcium is supplied on a continuous basis via the ocean currents at ± 400ppm (parts per million). Calcium can be added manually by regular additions or automatically using a continuous CALCIUM REACTOR.

The reactor contains pure calcium hydrocarbonate which is dissolved slowly and dropped into system. CO2 (carbon-dioxide) is introduced into the reactor to lower the PH to ± 6.5 which then dissolves the calcium substrate. The reactor has an internal pump circulating the closed unit thereby spreading the CO2 equally throughout - sea water is introduced via a bypass from the RE-CIRCLE pump. Or directly with its own dosing pump. The required amount of calcium will depend on the size bioloading of the tank. A PH probe can be inserted into the reactor to measure the acidity of the water thereby controlling the amount of CO2 needed to maintain the correct PH (6.5). A solinoid switch valve will keep the required PH in the reactor automatically. It is a good idea to use a solinoid switch to dose CO2. In the event of not using a pH probe to control the dosing of CO2 one can set the drip rate of the effluent water coming out of the reactor at 2 1/2 L per hour for 1000 L tank, and then set the CO2 so that the pH of the water coming out of the reactor is 6.5. Checking that the alkalinity is sitting at 22 ppm. By doing it this way you have to monitor the calcium levels in your tank more closely.

The calcium reactors greatest advantage is twofold:
a) Calcium is supplied daily to the system allowing the invertebrates to use it as required. It stabilizes the night/day PH swings and maintains the alkalinity of the system.
b) Small amounts of CO2 is introduced to the system which stimulates coral growth especially hard corals.

Calcium Hydroxide (KALKWASSER) can also be added automatically ug the KALKWASSER REACTOR.