Calcium reactor/CarbonDoser setup and and apex programing..

[Xyloxo]

I'm switching to a CaRx from dosing 2 part, and I understand all the concepts of how and why it works and how the equipment (in general) works. What my question(s) are about are programing into my apex. I've searched everywhere but just cant find the answers that I'm looking for necessarily.

The equipment I'm working with will be an Aquamaxx/Aquaready cTech T-2 Calcium Reactor, CarbonDoser Electronic CO2 Regulator V2.0, an Apex Ph probe and a small pump to feed the reactor. I also have a EB8 which I'll be plugging everything into.

Apex controls pH on your CalRex. So basically, you need to hook the pH probe on your calrex to apex ph port. Your co2 doser, feed pump and circulation pumps to any lower Amperage outlet. Set the outlet(s) to turn on when pH inside your calrex between 6.5-6.8.

In my search, i came across this comment from 2019. If any one is familiar with my setup, in particular how the aquamaxx reactor is designed, would the above comment apply to the combo of equipment?

For example, the reactor has a recirculating pump, which means it will likely run continuously. Meanwhile, the feed pump turn on and will supply new water to the reactor, and effluent will exit only when the pH is within the desired range for the carbon doser to activate and inject CO2.

If this is true, I can have everything plugged into the EB8 and program it to turn off and on, based on the carx ph. or, am I totally off?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gtinnel]

I don’t know that I am qualified to answer any questions about calcium reactors but a month or two ago I switched from 2 part to the same calcium reactor that you have. I am also using a carbon doser, although mine is the older version.
My circulation pump on the calcium reactor, and my effluent pump (I use an old masterflex peristaltic pump) run all the time. I only have them setup to turn off if any of my apex sensors detect a leak. I have the carbon doser set to turn off if the ph in the reactor or my tank drop to a certain level, but both of those are just emergency shutoffs. I set the ph in the reactor using the regulator pressure and the bubble count on the carbon doser. My apex has not had to shut anything off yet.

I’m not sure that the way I’m doing it is the best, but it has been working for me so far.

 

[Shirak]

I ran mine based off trident alk testing but you should be able to dial it in based on effluent flow and the carbon doser which will determine pH inside the reactor.

Yes the reactor recirculation pump should run continuously.

I am not sure about having the carbon doser on/off and the feed pump. Personally I would keep the feed pump going the whole time and maybe set an OFF for the carbon doser below pH 6.5 in case the feed pump stops or something. I think it would be better to just let the reactor run 24/7 and dial in the effluent and carbon doser to give you the alk you want in the tank.

There are calculations for determining effluent flow rate at Xdkh and getting a rough idea what you need to equal your 2 part dosing.

 

[Xyloxo]

I don’t know that I am qualified to answer any questions about calcium reactors but a month or two ago I switched from 2 part to the same calcium reactor that you have. I am also using a carbon doser, although mine is the older version.
My circulation pump on the calcium reactor, and my effluent pump (I use an old masterflex peristaltic pump) run all the time. I only have them setup to turn off if any of my apex sensors detect a leak. I have the carbon doser set to turn off if the ph in the reactor or my tank drop to a certain level, but both of those are just emergency shutoffs. I set the ph in the reactor using the regulator pressure and the bubble count on the carbon doser. My apex has not had to shut anything off yet.

I’m not sure that the way I’m doing it is the best, but it has been working for me so far.

Thanks! This helps a lot!

 

[Xyloxo]

I ran mine based off trident alk testing but you should be able to dial it in based on effluent flow and the carbon doser which will determine pH inside the reactor.

Yes the reactor recirculation pump should run continuously.

I am not sure about having the carbon doser on/off and the feed pump. Personally I would keep the feed pump going the whole time and maybe set an OFF for the carbon doser below pH 6.5 in case the feed pump stops or something. I think it would be better to just let the reactor run 24/7 and dial in the effluent and carbon doser to give you the alk you want in the tank.

There are calculations for determining effluent flow rate at Xdkh and getting a rough idea what you need to equal your 2 part dosing.

That sound like the answer I needed, thanks!

 

[Xyloxo]

Thanks guys, i appreciate the fast replies.