7
To avoid an overdosage, the addition of CO
2
can be controlled by using a pH Controller or ph-
Computer. This method does not change the pH-value of the aquarium water.
Chemical reaction:
CaCO
3
+ CO
2 +
H
2
O -----> Ca(HCO
3
)
2
Calciumcar Carbonic acid + Water ------> Calciumbicarbonate
Calciumbicarbonate is easily soluble. It can be directly taken in by animals and plants and
integrated into their skeletons. By doing this, calciumbicarbonate is changed back to
calciumcarbonate. During this back reaction, CO
2
is released which is used by Zooxanthellae for
photosynthesis.
3. Working principle
The
Calciumreactor KR Blue
is supplied with water from the top. The flow rate should be
adjusted that way that the ph-value doesn’t exceed 8.3 during the day and doesn’t drop below 7.8
at night. The flow rate can be adjusted exactly by the dosing pump SP 1500 (max. 1.5 l/h, not
included) and a timer (not included). If the Calciumreactor is to be connected in a bypass, the
adjustment of the flow rate has to be done manually. In this case, the flow cannot be changed
automatically during the day.
The circulation pump placed in the lid of the reactor circulates the water internally. The CO
2
is
connected at the injection port on top of the reactor. The pump sucks on CO
2
. Through the rotation
of the patented Aqua Medic impeller, the CO
2
will be nearly completely dissolved in the water. Then
the CO
2
enriched water is pumped below the Hydrocarbonate and finally circulated. Thereby,
calciumbicarbonate is extracted from the Hydrocarbonate. This is exactly the combination which
corals need for their growth. The CO
2
recirculation system of the Calciumreactor ensures that
carbon dioxide not dissolved is pumped round the reactor several times.
The outflow is located at the top of the filter lid. From there, the water flows back into the
aquarium or filter tank. The carbon dioxide can be added from a pressure bottle.
4.
Set-up
This version of the
Calciumreactor KR Blue
is a closed system that can also be run without a
sump based filter. The system is pressure-resistant up to 0.2 bar (2 metre water head height).
Operation in the base of a cabinet is thus safely possible.
The reactor can be installed below the aquarium from where the water can flow into a filter
chamber or back into the aquarium.
Important: Never close the in and outlet of the filter completely since overpressure will
arise from carbon dioxide supply!
The inflowing water quantity has to be adjusted by using the dosing pump and timer or in the
bypass operation in a way that approx. 1 – 3 l/h flow through the 6 mm pipe into the reactor. The
adjustment and the quantity of CO
2
depends on the aquarium size and the calcium requirements of
the animals.
5. Starting
The
Calciumreactor
is closed with three clamps (16). Before filling, it has to be checked that the
sealing (7)
is perfectly inserted and all clamps are firmly fixed. The baskets (2) for holding the
hydrocarbonate have to be inserted correctly. The thorn which is placed at the bottom of the
basket has to be put in the pipe of the lowest basket. Opposite the pipe, there is a groove into
which a guide rail attached to the inner side of the container clutches. The lowest basket may not
tilt, otherwise the reactor can not be closed. The two other baskets are put on in such a way that
the pipes are on top of each other. Each pipe has got a sealing (5) on top. Also, these baskets have
got a groove and must not tilt. The sequence of the baskets is not important. After having inserted
the baskets, the handles (3) have to be pressed into the hydrocarbonate completely. Only the
upper bracket rests level so the other handles can be taken out of the media, if necessary.
