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News & Reviews Article
| Title |
Calcium Reactors: What They Do and How They Work |
| Author |
Ralph Cabage
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| Last Updated |
2014-12-13
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| Abstract |
Providing enough calcium to meet the demands of corals, invertebrates, and algae in a closed ecosystem creates a challenge.
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Calcium Reactors: What They Do and How They Work
Ralph Cabage
In nature, seawater containes many minerals and elements coral reefs utilize for life. No mineral is consumed as quickly or in as large of amounts as calcium. Stony or Hard corals, the building blocks of the coral reef, use large amounts of calcium to build their skeletons. Providing enough calcium to meet the demands of all the corals, invertebrates, and algae in a closed ecosystem creates a challenge.
To help meet this challenge, consider adding a calcium reactor to your aquarium system. Calcium reactors automate the process of replenishing calcium as well as other minerals and trace elements.
A calcium reactor is essentially a chamber full of aragonite, which is the crushed skeletons of ancient hard corals. Aquarium water is pumped through this chamber along with pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 lowers the pH in the chamber to an acidic level, which dissolves aragonite into the aquarium water. In addition to dissolving the calcium, this process also dissolves nearly all the minerals and trace elements the old dead coral used in order to grow and makes it available to the new growing species. A calcium reactor therefore takes much of the guesswork out of adding trace elements to the reef aquarium. They replenish these minerals and elements in the near exact proportions that the corals need to thrive.
A calcium reactor is placed in the sump of a wet/dry filter. These systems can be comprised of a CoraLife Calcium Reactor - up to 250 gallons, or Calcium Reactor-up to 500 gallons, CO2 delivery system and regulator by Milwaukee Stationary CO2 pH Solenoid Valve Kit, calcium media ARM by CaribSea Aragonite Reactor Media, and an optional pH Controller by Milwaukee Stationary pH Monitor and Controller. CO2 injected into the reactor chamber filled with the calcium media creates an acidic environment that slowly dissolves the media. The dissolved calcium is then mixed with saltwater and the resulting solution is slowly dripped into the main aquarium. Calcium reactors are very precise means of maintaining calcium levels within reef systems with high calcium demands. It is also wise to periodically check the accuracy of the pH controller with a pH test kit and to calibrate them following the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that the calcium reactor is working properly.
While there are some start-up costs associated with implementing such a system, a calcium reactor may prove to be a wise long-term investment by saving you time, money, and frustration while maximizing your coral growth.
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