Marine Aquarium

In marine and reef aquariums, a calcium reactor is a device used to create a balance of alkalinity in the system. An acidic solution is produced by injecting carbon dioxide into a chamber with salt water and calcium rich media. The carbon dioxide lowers the pH by producing a solution high in carbonic acid, and dissolving the calcium media. The effluent is then returned to the reef aquarium where the calcium is consumed by organisms, primarily corals when building skeletons. A calcium reactor is one of the most efficient methods of supplying calcium to a reef aquarium. Although more commonly used with marine reef aquariums, calcium reactors are beginning to find use in elaborate freshwater and brackish aquariums where some species of freshwater clams, corals, and other invertebrates may need a constant supply of calcium.

Freshwater Planted Aquarium

Photosynthesis is the amazing process by which plants combine sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to create the energy they need to live. While most people think that photosynthesis is conducted by green plants living on the ground, it is achieved by a variety of bacteria, algae and underwater plants. Plants in the air can simply absorb carbon dioxide through their roots and pores, but plants underwater have a much more difficult process to go through, since carbon dioxide levels are often lower in water and the gas moves much more slowly. For freshwater planted aquarium, it is necessary to support photosynthesis by providing light and carbon dioxide. This can be accomplished with a pressurized CO2 tank that injects a set amount of carbon dioxide into the aquarium water. Algae are considered distracting and unwanted in aquascaping, and can be controlled in several ways. One is using adequate light and CO2 to promote rapid growth of desired plants, while controlling nutrient levels, to ensure that the plants utilize all fertilizer without leaving nutrients to support algae.