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Add Calcium Reactor

A Calcium reactor allows you to replenish Alkalinity and Calcium in your aquarium automatically.  

Here is what you’ll need to get started:

Step 1: Create the Calcium Reactor Output

  1. From the STATUS screen on your HYDROS app, tap on the three horizontal dots to the right of the OUTPUTS label and select “Add / Edit Output.”
  2. Tap on the + symbol at the bottom right of the page
  3. Type in the name of your new output and then tap “Create.”

Step 2: Configure your Calcium Reactor

TIP: To see a list of all inputs available on MULTIPLE devices, you must first create a Collective [2]. Otherwise, only inputs on the same device will show.

Step 3: Save

Appendix A: Reactor pH Tracks Alkalinity

Did you know that HYDROS has a feature that monitors the Alkalinity level in your aquarium and automatically adjusts the pH level inside your calcium reactor? It’s pretty cool because the Calcium Reactor media doesn’t melt at a single pH point. Instead, it gradually melts more and more as the pH drops. For instance, when the pH level inside the reactor is high (around 7.2), the media melts at a very low rate. However, as the pH in the water drops and gets closer to 6.7, the media melts at a higher rate. This means that with HYDROS, you can ensure your aquarium stays in top condition without worrying about the pH levels.

The HYDROS Controller activates the Calcium Reactor by turning the CO2 ON/OFF and adjusting the pH level inside the reactor based on the Alkalinity reading. It ensures the pH level is within the Alkalinity range by dynamically making the pH chase the Alkalinity reading.

If your Alkalinity is high, HYDROS will run the reactor pH at a higher level to “dilute” the effluent’s concentration and “maintain” your Alkalinity. However, if your Alkalinity is low, HYDROS will run the reactor pH at a lower level to “increase” the effluent’s concentration and “raise” your Alkalinity.

[3]

Utilizing a “dynamic method,” the HYDROS system can enhance stability by adjusting your reactor’s pH levels according to the Alkalinity readings.

For this option to work correctly, you must:

The HYDROS controls the turning on and off of the Calcium Reactor by regulating CO2 levels and adjusting the pH level inside the reactor in response to the Alkalinity reading. This ensures that the pH level stays within the desired Alkalinity range. The HYDROS maintains a balance between pH and Alkalinity by making the former follow the latter.

EXAMPLE: Here is an example of a Calcium Reactor setup using Two Little Fishes Reborn Media:

  • Alkalinity (min and max) range: 7.5 – 8
  • The Calcium Reactor bubble rate is fixed at two bubbles per second.
  • The effluent rate is constant. We turn off the pH and allow it to climb to shut off the reactor and prevent it from melting the media. When it reaches above 7.2, the media stops melting.

HYDROS Calcium Reactor OUTPUT setup:

  • pH ON Point: 6.7
  • pH OFF Point: 7.3
  • Alkalinity ON Point: 7.3 
    TIP: Due to the delayed readings in the reactor, we need to make the ON point much lower than the actual alkalinity reading we want to achieve. In this case, 7.5 dKH.  
  • Alkalinity OFF Point: 7.8
    TIP: Due to the delayed readings in the reactor, we need to make the OFF point much lower than the actual alkalinity reading we want to achieve. In this case, 8 dKH.  

We maintained the alkalinity between 7.65 and 7.91 over the 24-hour period using the numbers above.

Rename Output & Change Icon

  • From the STATUS screen, tap on the Output you wish to modify.
  • On the popup, tap on the “Gear” icon on the bottom right.
  • From the Output setup page, tap on the “Pencil” icon on the top left.
  • Type in the new name you wish
  • If you wish to change the default icon, tap “Change Icon.”