Hello all,

I have a 180 gal tank using the following equipment:

1. Trickle filter using twin rio 500 gph pumps. Dual overflows and returns.
2. 240 watts of fluorescent lighting on for 11-12 hrs per day on timers.
3. Fully automatic c02 system with Milwaukee regulator and twin gauges, solenoid, bubble counter, needle valve, and Milwaukee sms ph controller. 5lb bottle of c02.
4. Using a reactor 1000 mounted under the tank and driven by another small rio pump.

My water parameters a

Ph – 7.9
Temp – 79 F
Gh – 280 mg/l
Gh – 50 -60 mgl

My questions are as follows:

1. If I set the controller to 7.0, does the bps calculation still apply? Or is this only for smaller tanks or those w/o a controller? I have the bps at 3-5 bps currently. Can I just crank open the needle valve and let the solenoid take over (doesn’t sound like a good idea though)? I plan to leave the c02 on 24/7.
2. How long will it take to bring the ph down to the desired level (7.0)? A week, month, days????
3. I have the reactor 1000 mounted horizontally. Any issues with that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Have learned a lot from reading previous posts, but most have smaller tanks.

Thanks much,

Gerry.