Aquavitro element Ca Calcium Reactor

Aquavitro element Ca Calcium Reactor

The Aquavitro element Ca Calcium Reactor is a compact calcium reactor that provides and maintains a constant calcium, magnesium and alkalinity ratio in reef aquaria of up to 950 litres (250 US gal). It suits reef keepers who want a modular, easy-to-service way to keep these key parameters stable in a marine system.

It keeps the calcium, magnesium and alkalinity ratio virtually constant, which is critical to the long-term success of a reef aquarium. It does this by using CO2 to react with a calcium reactor media such as Seachem Reef Reactor™.

How It Works

CO2 acidifies the water flowing through the reactor, which gradually dissolves the media. As the media dissolves, it releases calcium, magnesium and carbonates, along with other elements and components of the chosen reactor media. A CO2-filled tank and a pH probe are required, and a CO2 controlling system is preferred and highly recommended, for the reactor to work properly.

Key Benefits

• Easily removable inner chamber: lift it out without a full breakdown to clean, change or top off the media.
• High-capacity chamber: holds up to 1.2 litres (0.3 gal) of your choice of calcium reactor media, such as Seachem Reef Reactor™.
• CO2 recycling feature: recirculates CO2 so you make full use of every injection, with potential savings on CO2 canisters and refills.
• Effluent control valve: lets you control the release of dissolved media into the aquarium.
• Highly reactive probe placement: allows a rapid response from controllers to avoid overshooting CO2 injection. This saves CO2 and supports consistent, efficient dosing.
• Powerful external pump: gives a higher column flow volume with more contact time and surface area, and the pump can be maintained at any time.
• Easy maintenance: the reactor can be dismantled quickly for thorough cleaning.
• Anti-vibration O-rings and rubber feet: added sound-dampening for quiet operation.
• Patent-pending compact base design: built with a small footprint to fit in virtually any sump.
• Operation independent of sump water level: variations in sump level don't affect how the unit functions.

How to Use

• Fill the inner chamber with your chosen calcium reactor media, up to 1.2 litres (0.3 gal).
• Connect a CO2 supply and a pH probe, ideally with a CO2 controlling system, so CO2 injection is regulated.
• Use the effluent control valve to manage how much dissolved media is released. The water can go back into the sump, directly to the aquarium, or into a protein skimmer such as the aquavitro® division™ series.
• When the media needs changing or topping off, remove the inner chamber without a full breakdown.

Setup Versatility

The reactor can be set up in three configurations for managing the effluent and CO2 connections, which highlights its modularity.

• Option 1: uses the connections as described in the instruction manual included with the reactor.
• Option 2: reverses those connections. Choosing between Options 1 and 2 is largely personal preference. Consider how convenient CO2 regulation is in your system, and where the effluent line is best located. Some keepers also find CO2 recovery is better managed in one or the other.
• Option 3: if CO2 recovery is your main concern, this may be the better choice. The effluent tubing connects directly to the base and no CO2 is lost.

Whichever option you choose, it is still beneficial to direct the effluent flow into a protein skimmer such as the aquavitro® division™ series. You can also send it to a point with consistent water surface disruption. This helps drive any remaining CO2 out of solution, or lets low-pH water rise in pH before it returns to the aquarium.

Suitable For

• Reef aquaria of up to 950 litres (250 US gal) that need a steady calcium, magnesium and alkalinity supply.
• Sumps where space is limited, thanks to the compact base.

Compatibility

• Works with calcium reactor media such as Seachem Reef Reactor™.
• Effluent can be directed to the sump, directly to the aquarium, or to a protein skimmer such as the aquavitro® division™ series.
• Requires a CO2-filled tank and a pH probe. A CO2 controlling system is preferred and highly recommended.

Specifications

• Aquarium capacity: up to 950 litres (250 US gal)
• Media chamber capacity: up to 1.2 litres (0.3 gal)
• Setup configurations: 3
• Warranty: 3 years against defects in materials and workmanship, from the date of purchase, excluding the pump's impeller. It can be extended to 5 years by registering the product. The warranty covers replacement of the defective parts.

What's Included

• 1 x Aquavitro element Ca Calcium Reactor, with an instruction manual

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the element Ca Calcium Reactor do?
It provides and maintains a virtually constant calcium, magnesium and alkalinity ratio in reef aquaria of up to 950 litres (250 US gal). It uses CO2 to dissolve a calcium reactor media, which releases calcium, magnesium and carbonates into the water.

Do I need CO2 to run it?
Yes. A CO2-filled tank and a pH probe are required, and a CO2 controlling system is preferred and highly recommended for proper function.

How much media does it hold, and which media can I use?
The chamber holds up to 1.2 litres (0.3 gal) of the calcium reactor media of your choice, for example Seachem Reef Reactor™. The inner chamber lifts out without a full breakdown, so topping off or changing media is straightforward.

Which setup option is best if I want to minimise CO2 loss?
Option 3. The effluent tubing connects directly to the base and no CO2 is lost. It is still beneficial to direct the effluent into a protein skimmer such as the aquavitro® division™ series, or to a point with consistent surface disruption, so any leftover CO2 is driven out of solution.

Will changes in my sump's water level affect it?
No. Operation is independent of the water level in the sump, and the compact base is designed to fit in virtually any sump.

What warranty does it carry?
It has a 3-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship from the date of purchase. The pump's impeller is excluded. Registering the product extends the warranty to 5 years, and the warranty covers replacement of defective parts.