Do I have to get a calcium reactor?

[Uromastyx]

Hi everyone
In Summary- small volume tank - 80 gallons - high SPS burden - going through 130ml Alk a day, 120mlof calcium (triton core 7) - salinity is jumping within 48 hours of 2 part dosing
SG 1.026 to 1.031 in two days.
My tank is at 25 degree and constant temperature so Id imagine the loss from evaporation wont be that significant
Sorry for asking a question that has been asked on a few occasions, but I feel I need some clarity I can’t seem to in most threads.

Is the solution to do daily water changes to balance the salt from dosing or get a calcium reactor?

 

[GARRIGA]

Perhaps consider AFR to reduce the sodium chloride. Route I’m taking since I’m already overburdened with excess co2 and rather not also bother with the complexity of tuning a reactor. Carbon dose to return the base play during nitrification which further reduces the need for extra alkalinity additives. Water changes definitely not on my solution list.

 

[Uromastyx]

Perhaps consider AFR to reduce the sodium chloride. Route I’m taking since I’m already overburdened with excess co2 and rather not also bother with the complexity of tuning a reactor. Carbon dose to return the base play during nitrification which further reduces the need for extra alkalinity additives. Water changes definitely not on my solution list.

Thanks, Have you found AFR is much less potent than your previous 2 part? given it is all in one?

 

[bradreef]

With 80 gallons, you should be able to run with 2 part and kalk.

 

[Alazo1]

salinity is jumping within 48 hours of 2 part dosing
SG 1.026 to 1.031 in two days.

Wow, I take it that you have double checked those numbers?. No idea that salinity could raise so much in such short time.

 

[Uromastyx]

Wow, I take it that you have double checked those numbers?. No idea that salinity could raise so much in such short time.

Thanks I have on a few occasions with different Hanna as well

 

[Reefahholic]

I run a reactor simply for the stability. A 24/7 continuous weak drip of Alk/Cal is much better than 10-40 doses of 2-part throughout the day. The added benefit of minimal trace elements and the fact I rarely touch it is the simplest way for me. I also add remag so that takes care of Magnesium. Although they are a bit tricky in the beginning, and the initial costs scares most away.

If you are serious about a reactor….

I’ve put together this crash course for beginners wanting to understand the basics. After you finish these video’s you’ll have a good understanding of how they work and should be able to set one up.

How I tune my CaRx (Kevin’s way):


CaRx setup video and fundamental’s


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Very helpful videos from Rico (controversial guy). However, his videos break it down and are definitely helpful if you’re beginning. Watch these in order. 1 - 4.

1.

2.

3.

4.

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BRS- top 20 failures:


BRS- long stream with excellent information:


BRS- more flow = less ALK? This one is not really needed for the method I run, but it is beneficial to understand how flow dictates alkalinity to a certain extent.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Your salinity jump is not accurate. There is a slow steady rise, but not nearly what you post.

I’d suggest to keep tracking of it for a couple of weeks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

When using a two part, the salinity rise is about 32% over a year when dosing 1.1 dKH per day. If you double the dose, you double the rise.

At a high addition rate of 3 dKH per day, the daily salinity rise is about 0.24% per day, which causes a rise from 1.02600 to 1.02606.

Removing a gallon or two of tank water once a week in an 80 gallon system should keep salinity under control.

 

[d2mini]

Hi everyone
In Summary- small volume tank - 80 gallons - high SPS burden - going through 130ml Alk a day, 120mlof calcium (triton core 7) - salinity is jumping within 48 hours of 2 part dosing
SG 1.026 to 1.031 in two days.
My tank is at 25 degree and constant temperature so Id imagine the loss from evaporation wont be that significant
Sorry for asking a question that has been asked on a few occasions, but I feel I need some clarity I can’t seem to in most threads.

Is the solution to do daily water changes to balance the salt from dosing or get a calcium reactor?

I prefer 2 part on smaller tanks. CaRx on tanks 120g and up.
ESV Bionic is my favorite.
I've never noticed a rise in my salinity.

 

[Jamie814]

My tank is at 25 degree and constant temperature so Id imagine the loss from evaporation wont be that significant

Dumb question, but are you topping off with fresh water daily to account for the evaporation?

 

[GARRIGA]

Thanks, Have you found AFR is much less potent than your previous 2 part? given it is all in one?

Plan to use. Not used. However, based on Randy, get the same alkalinity and calcium percentage wise to two part. My goal is due to no water changes being the elimination of salinity creep along with the fact I get a known amount of magnesium and trace relative to calcium added reducing number of dosing pumps.

One caveat would be to dose part C based on salinity creep. Something I’ve considered since AFR more expensive then two part plus trace and magnesium but then one needs to automate the reduction of tank water allowing ATO to replace and balance back to near NSW levels. If I can figure a way to remove water that might be the approach taken and then I’d need a place to toss it as well as now larger ATO to not just compensate for evaporation but that removed to correct salinity. Pick your poison.

Clarification on calcium reactors. Not opposed to them were my house containing less co2 and one also has to contend with having the space to run one. Given a choice to do as I please. I’d use a reactor and dose trace based on calcium released with manual weekly adjustments of magnesium plus adjustments to trace quarterly based on ICP.

In the end. Pick your poison as best fits one’s situation. Doesn’t seem to be one answer fits all but I cherish time over money and willing to spend more on AFR due to its simplicity.

Balancing ions matters to me and seeking simplest path there best fits me. You might not have the same requirements

 

[Uromastyx]

Your salinity jump is not accurate. There is a slow steady rise, but not nearly what you post.

I’d suggest to keep tracking of it for a couple of weeks.

Thank you Randy
I’ll keep an eye on it before I go changing anything.

 

[Uromastyx]

Dumb question, but are you topping off with fresh water daily to account for the evaporation?

Yes thanks, I have a float auto top off