Calcium reactor media

[swissgaurd]

Hi
WOW! its been a while since i last visited this site.It has changed.

I have a question regarding the media in the reactor chambors.
I find that this is the best site for reactors.
Does the media ever have to be changed out completly.
how long is it good for.

Thanks
Vic

[Chuck S]

I hope thats a good "it has changed" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Reactor media should be changed accordingly to your dispersal rate. I clean mine every 6 months. I need to service it monthly. I go through an entire reactor full of media in 6 months. I am dissolving about 4/5 inches of media a month. Basically what I do is monthly I top off any dissolved media. I have a dual so I usually place the media from the one side to the other and fill the one tube with fresh. However in six months time its yank everything and clean. Your pads need to be cleaned and lines.

[David Grigor]

I completely change out the media when I run out of CO2. Easy way to remember. Usually ends up somewhere between 6-8 months.

My reaction chambers are pretty large so it does not all dissolve. I will top-off if necessary but usually only dissolves about 1/2 - 3/4 so I just wait until time to completely change it all out. The second chamber doesn't dissolve as much and could probably get away not refreshing it every time. I do it anyway since I am just recycling aragonite substrate from my old 90g tank and have lots of it.

The stuff that hasn't dissolved usually is a bit mushy and would not recommend leaving it in because can cause any filter pads to get more clogged plus probably not as effective as fresh would be.

[swissgaurd]

Thanks guys you answered my question.

And this is probably why i cant get calcium levels up