$30 DIY Secondary Chamber - Calcium Reactor & Results

[Schmuck-Reefer]

Hi Guys,

Getting back into the swing of things after hibernating, but still maintaining the 150Gal reef tank for the last two years.

I've always been curious to see the impact of a secondary chamber in a calcium reactor, but dubious it would move the needle enough for $100+

Decided to give it a shot, but keep costs minimized <$30~~

The Build:

1. 1x $20 Acrylic Flower vase from Amazon to act as the chamber
2. A base printed in PETG, to keep the flower vase standing, and create enough room to attach a 1/4" bulkhead on the bottom center
3. A top lid, that comes in two pieces and "skrews" together with a large O-ring in the middle (O-ring bought at Ace)
4. 1/4" Tubing/bulk head/connections

Overall, I am fairly happy with the performance. I tested the output of the reactor before and after bringing the secondary chamber online:

Before:

• Reactor Affluent set @ 6.3 PH
• Flow = 22ML
• Affluent DKH = 24
• Affluent PH Leaving Reactor = 6.3 PH
• Tank PH Daily Range = 7.82 - 8.07

After:

• Reactor Affluent set @ 6.3 PH
• Flow = 22ML
• Affluent DKH = 27
• Affluent PH Leaving Reactor = 6.8 PH
• Tank PH Daily Range = 7.86 - 8.09

Note that in my calcium reactor, I use Carib Sea ARM reactor media, which is clean but has a low melting point. I opted to use Two Little Fishies reborn calcium media in the secondary chamber to maximize its effect, given the higher relative melting point (even though it's dirtier).

Happy to share the printing files, although note that I made this in TinkerCad because I have never learned CAD .

Also happy to print/build for folks in exchange for coral.

 

[PjFish]

Nice! Whats the setup on the calcium reactor and where is the affluence entering the sump?

 

[Schmuck-Reefer]

Nice! Whats the setup on the calcium reactor and where is the affluence entering the sump?

Reactor is a Aqua Ready T2, 22ML going in. The affluent goes into the sump close to but slightly upstream of skimmer.

 

[iani]

Reactor is a Aqua Ready T2, 22ML going in. The affluent goes into the sump close to but slightly upstream of skimmer.

Do you think it is worth it for the potential added maintenance?

 

[CaseyP]

Nice work and findings! I may have to try this since I have low pH (7.8 - 8.1) even with kalkwasser and a co2 scrubber. I suspect the impact to the overall system will be minimal since I had low pH even before setting up the carx, but at this point I'm ready to try anything.

 

[Schmuck-Reefer]

Do you think it is worth it for the potential added maintenance?

Yes! Overall very marginal increase to maintenance if any. Its plumbed in line with the existing reactor, and with a small sediment filter on the front the reactors stay pretty clean. Just need a top up on media every 6 months or so.

 

[Schmuck-Reefer]

Nice work and findings! I may have to try this since I have low pH (7.8 - 8.1) even with kalkwasser and a co2 scrubber. I suspect the impact to the overall system will be minimal since I had low pH even before setting up the carx, but at this point I'm ready to try anything.

Im in the same boat, every basis point on the ph is a win.

Do you already have a calcium reactor? If you are not running one now, my guess is you will see an overall decrease. The secondary chamber softens and or mostly eliminates the PH decrease from a reactor, but still net negative. Unless your issue is related to ALK.

 

[CaseyP]

Im in the same boat, every basis point on the ph is a win.

Do you already have a calcium reactor? If you are not running one now, my guess is you will see an overall decrease. The secondary chamber softens and or mostly eliminates the PH decrease from a reactor, but still net negative. Unless your issue is related to ALK.

I do, running at 6.5ph. How long did it take to see those after results?

 

[Schmuck-Reefer]

I do, running at 6.5ph. How long did it take to see those after results?

Results were immediate, it shifted up a but day one and stayed elevated since.