2
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Bubble Counter Setup
The provided bubble counter attaches to your CO2 regulator. It will fit most standard
regulators.
Attach the 1/8” tubing to the top of the bubble counter and then run to the 1/8” barb on the
calcium reactor manifold.
Adjust the bubble rate to 40 bubbles per minute
CO2 Regulator Setup
After getting your CO
2
cylinder filled, keep the main valve located at the top of the aluminum
cylinder O (turned clockwise). Insert the Teflon gasket and attach the dual gauge
regulator and tighten securely. The gauge on the left reads the amount of CO
2
in the
cylinder, expressed in PSI (pounds per square inch). The gauge to the right reads the
pressure of the gas leaving the regulator.
Connect the bubble counter per the instructions above or per the regulator manufacturer’s
instructions.
Attach the tubing supplied to the bubble counter.
Close the regulator needle valve (completely turned clockwise).
Slowly open the main cylinder valve.
Dial in the adjustment knob on the regulator until the outlet pressure gauge reads 10 PSI.
Slowly open the needle valve to desire setting (see Dialing in Calcium Reactor Section).
When the cylinder pressure gauge drops below 500 PSI, it is time to consider getting the
cylinder refilled.
Section B - Basic Operation
The calcium reactor operates by dissolving the aragonite within the reactor chamber(s) by lowering
the pH value of the water inside the reactor chambers caused by the injection of CO
2
. The effluent is
high in calcium, alkalinity, and loaded with all of the trace elements needed for coral growth. The
effluent pH should be between 6.6 and 7.0. The calcium reactor is best used to maintain levels, not
raise them. It is recommended that you add calcium to achieve the desired level after installing the
reactor and using the reactor to maintain it. The same is true for alkalinity.
Every system will have different calcium and carbonate demands from a calcium reactor. The
effluent and bubble rates are recommended starting points, but will have to be adjusted to meet the
needs of your system. Using a controller will greatly simplify operation and setup.
Increasing the bubble count will lower the pH inside the reactor. This will increase the
Carbonate Hardness (KH) and calcium (Ca) of the effluent. Lowering the pH below 6.5 may
cause the media to create ‘mush’ or ‘mud’.
Decreasing the bubble count will raise the pH inside the reactor. This will decrease the KH
and Ca of the effluent.
Increasing the drip rate alone will raise the pH inside the reactor. This will decrease the KH
and Ca of the effluent.
Decreasing the drip rate alone will lower the pH inside the reactor. This will increase the KH
and Ca of the effluent.
We recommend the use of a ph controller. Using a controller to adjust your ph will make
tuning the reactor much easier.
You can use these adjustments to achieve the desired results for your system.
Adjustment Notes:
