Calcium Reactor Questions

I am brand new to the hobby.  I  bought an existing setup which included a calcium reactor and a milwakee controller.  My ph is hovering at about 8.0 to 8.1.  My Calcium is at 490, and my alk is at 15.4.  My understaning is that the controller will not allow the co2 to be introduced into the reactor until the ph gets too high (set on controller).  Does that mean that the reactor is merely passing water past the carbonate until the co2 is introduced?  Does that affect the water?  How high should I set the controller?

Thanks for your advice.

My understaning is that the controller will not allow the co2 to be introduced into the reactor until the ph gets too high (set on controller).  Does that mean that the reactor is merely passing water past the carbonate until the co2 is introduced?  Does that affect the water?  How high should I set the controller?

The way the controller works is it closes the CO2 supply valve if the pH get too LOW.  Otherwise the controller doesn't do anything and the CO2 will flow into the reactor.  If the CO2 is shut off, the water just passes through and nothing happens... bugzme's got it.

Tailesspony, Welcome to the WMAS forum.

Does this tank you bought have many stony coral?

The Ca and Alk numbers are high. Perhaps even too high for the needs of the tank. Especially the Alk. High levels like this can sometimes be just as harmful as low levels. The recommended range of Alkalinity is 8-14 dKH and Calcium of 350-450 ppm

Can you please tell us more about the setup and the current inhabitants so we can help you avoid problems.

My Calcium is at 490, and my alk is at 15.4.

I agree with Mark, those are high.  If you shut down your reactor, they will drop to 450 ppm Ca (reduction of 40 ppm) and 9.8 dKH (1 meq/l for each 20 ppm Ca drop).  Those are spot on, right where I like to keep my tank.  Once they drop into this range then restart your reactor and try to maintain them... you don't want the reactor to increase the levels, just maintain.  Hope this helps.