Things You'll Need
- Aquarium pH test kit Alkalinity test kit
Instructions
Alkalinity Tests Low
Test the aquarium water for pH and alkalinity levels after allowing the calcium reactor to run for at least 24 hours.
Lower the pH of the effluent by increasing the rate of CO2 into the calcium reactor. This increase in acidity increases the dissolution of calcium inside the reactor and will increase alkalinity in the aquarium water.
Increase the effluent flow from the calcium reactor if the pH inside the reactor is 6.5---you don't want it much lower than that, depending on the media used inside the reactor.
Alkalinity Tests High
Test the water for pH and alkalinity levels, after allowing the calcium reactor to run for at least 24 hours.
Disconnect the calcium reactor to allow high alkalinity levels to return to your target levels before adjusting the effluent or CO2. Wait a few hours.
Decrease the rate of CO2 into the reactor.
Decrease the effluent flow into the tank from the calcium reactor.