Whether you have your own personal large fish, mussel or coral tank, you manage a research lab with mussels, corals or certain fish or you are a keeper at a zoo or aquarium, it is important to maintain the right environment for all of these organisms under your care. A calcium reactor ensures that corals, mussels and other creatures can get the essential calcium that they need in order to grow and thrive. Here are three signs that your aquarium may need a new reactor.
Rust or Corrosion
Rust or corrosion on any of the calcium reactor’s parts indicates that the pH in the aquarium is too low or has had intermittent periods when it has been too low in the past. A low pH is a sign of either insufficient calcium in the water or too many waste products in the water. Either way, when you notice that the reactor has rust or corrosion, it is time for it to be replaced.
Frequent Maintenance Needs
It is normal for a reactor to need routine maintenance. However, if the reactor seems to need more frequent maintenance or repairs than it used to, it may be coming towards the end of its lifespan. The last thing that you would want would be a sudden failure of the reactor. If it happened on a holiday or weekend, it could have serious consequences for your aquarium. Replacing it sooner rather than later may be a financially better and overall safer option.
Lack of Efficiency
If your calcium reactor is old, it might not efficiently break down the aragonite or other material as well as it should. This could cause you to use more of the calcium product in order to get the right level of calcium ions in the water. An inefficient reactor could be replaced, saving you money over the long term on supplies.
