Calcium reactor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Calcium Reactor

In marine and reef aquariums, a calcium reactor creates a balance of alkalinity. An acidic solution is produced by injecting carbon dioxide into a chamber with salt water and calcium rich media. The carbon dioxide lowers the pH by producing a solution high in carbonic acid, and dissolves calcium. The effluent is returned to the reef aquarium where the calcium is consumed by organisms, primarily corals when building skeletons. A calcium reactor is an efficient method to supply calcium to a reef aquarium. Reactors may be used in elaborate freshwater and brackish aquariums where species of freshwater clams, corals, and other invertebrates need a constant supply of calcium.

The reactor dissolves the calcium-laden media to provide bicarbonates HCO₃^- (alkalinity) and calcium (Ca⁺⁺) ions at the sames rate as consumed during calcification. Effectively dissolving the media requires an acidic pH. Saltwater may have a pH of 7.8, so to reduce the pH carbon dioxide (CO₂) is used. The reaction formula is:

CaCO₃ + H₂O + CO₂ <——> Ca²⁺ + 2HCO₃^-

Inside the reaction chamber, a calcium rich media (aragonite), mainly CaCO₃, is forced into contact with water injected with carbon dioxide (CO₂) in order to create carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). This increases the solubility of the calcium carbonate. The reaction frees the calcium and carbonate, supplying the aquarium with water rich in Ca²⁺ and CO₃^2-, important for maintaining alkalinity and calcium levels.

The bubble counter measures carbon dioxide. The flow rate of carbon dioxide is monitored so that the dissolved gas goes into the solution, with a minimum unconsumed. A needle valve or solenoid valve regulates the CO₂ bubble rate. Valves with precise adjustment abilities improve bubble control.

The feed pump controls the volume of water exchange. This is important because a high rate of water flow into the reactor reduces its efficiency, thus resulting in underproduction and a waste of CO₂.

Some reactors siphon water into the input of the reactor's re-circulation pump. A potential complication is the medium in the reactor becoming compacted, increasing back pressure onto the pump and reducing water into the reactor. Placing a gate or needle valve on the reactor's outlet side will improve flow characteristics compared to control from the inlet side.

A peristaltic pumps are effective operating against pressure, capable of supplying an adjustable and continuous flow over flow rates with minimal maintenance.

The pH control is connected to a probe in the reactor and adjusts the rate at which the calcium media dissolves. This probe monitors the pH level in the calcium reactor. The pH range for the typical calcium reactor is 6.5 - 6.8. When the pH rises above a certain level, a valve opens, allowing carbon dioxide to enter the reactor. The control closes the valve as the pH falls below this level.

Some pH controllers have an interface for an air pump. This air pump is connected to an airstone in the sump or main tank. If the probe detects a low pH level, the pump activates. The bubbles raise the pH by dissipating the CO₂ gas.

References

v t e Aquarium and fishkeeping hobby

Types	Freshwater aquarium Marine aquarium Brackish-water aquarium Community aquarium Biotope Reef aquarium

Aquarium equipment and furniture	Filter Algae scrubber Berlin Method Protein skimmer Powerhead Deep sand bed Heater Refugium Sump Calcium reactor Bog-wood and Driftwood Airstone Live rock and Live sand Substrate Fishcam Aquarium fish feeder Aquarium lighting

Fish terms	Hardy fish Dither fish Algae eater Bottom feeder Tropical fish Coldwater fish Painted fish Clean-up crew

Fish food	Feeder fish Brine shrimp Tubifex tubifex Daphnia Infusoria Shrimp mix

Lists	Aquarium diseases Aquarium fish by scientific name Freshwater aquarium fish Freshwater aquarium amphibians Freshwater aquarium invertebrates Freshwater aquarium plants Marine aquarium fish Marine aquarium invertebrates Marine aquarium plants Brackish aquarium fish Brackish aquarium invertebrates Brackish aquarium plants

Other concepts	Aquascaping Bath treatment Disease in ornamental fish Macquarium Quarantine tank Reef safe Spawning triggers

Aquarium magazines	Aquarium Fish International Koi Practical Fishkeeping Tropical Fish Hobbyist

People	Takashi Amano Herbert R. Axelrod Edward Edwards Philip Henry Gosse Sven O. Kullander William Alford Lloyd Julian Sprung Anna Thynne Charles Haskins Townsend

Aquarium-related companies	Drs. Foster & Smith Eheim Hagen Sera Tetra

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.

Calcium reactor

See also

References