New
4th generation PF509 / PF501 /PF601/ PF601S / PF1001 Calcium Reactors.
These
have now replaced the old PF500/PF600/PF600S/PF1000 models.
The
correct calcium content is a vital requirement in keeping and growing
corals successfully in a marine aquarium.
Calcium
reactors are a simple approach to the addition of calcium in a marine
aquarium and work by adding CO2 to lower the pH of the water to a level
where it will dissolve the calcium carbonate media that is in the main
body of the reactor.
This
gives off calcium ions and carbonate ions but also releases many other
elements that are bound up in the media.
The
Rowalith C+ media that is manufactured for use within these reactors
is mined from prehistoric coral beds and therefore contains all of the
trace elements in the correct proportions that make up the coral skeleton.
When
using a calcium reactor it is usual to find that the pH in your aquarium
will run at a level perhaps 0.2 lower than without the reactor due to
the influence of the CO2 additions.
This
is not a problem and we find that too many people get carried away with
trying to achieve a pH of 8.2-8.4 which is generally only achievable
long term by kalkwasser additions.
Calcium
reactors have a trend towards increasing dKh where as kalkwasser additions
tend to lower the dKh long term.
Deltec
Fluidized Bed Calcium Reactors
Deltec
Calcium Reactors like many of Deltec's products are different from the
normal items available on the marketplace.
With
conventional non fluidised calcium reactors, as the media dissolves
and breaks down, the fine particles are left to choke up the reactor
and the water finds its own easiest route through. This results in tracking
or channeling, where the contact area with the water ends up being very
small leading to a rapid drop off in efficiency.
With
the Deltec fluidised reactors the media is kept constantly moving so
that it is impossible for tracking to occur and the whole of the media
is utilised. Additionally the smaller grain size gives a much greater
surface area for reaction with the water and any fine particles are
either dissolved or flushed out of the reactor.
Most
non fluidised calcium reactors can not achieve more than 35-45 dKh.
Through fluidisation Deltec Reactors can achieve a dKh
in excess of 80 which corresponds to a significantly higher calcium
level.
Unlike
conventional reactors which require regular cleaning out, the Deltec
models if used correctly should only require topping up with media.
The
Deltec Fluidized Calcium Reactor consists of:
A
cylindrical transparent container
Circulation
Pump
Bubble
Counter
Optional
Solenoid Valve
Non
Return Valve
Provision
for pH electrode
Micro
Filter
