180 gallon sps - calcium reactor or dosers?

[FF337]

Calcium reactor and doser users I need your help. What is preferred on a 180 sps tank?

Tired of effluent line clogging on my 6.5" reef octopus. Without consistant effluent the kh, cal, and mag fluctuate often. Also the reactor seems a tad small for my system so I want to replace it with a new one or begin with dosers.

I am using a manifold off of a reeflo dart for supply.

It seems with dosers and my apex there is less flucuations and basically no maintenance other than replacing solution and swapping containers.

Should I replace the reactor or start 2 part?

Thanks in advance.

 

[FF337]

I know there are threads on this but research changes often and I want the latest information and recommendations.

 

[Eric B]

You will want to use what ever is the easiest for you to control and make levels steady in your tank if it is the reactor then great and if 2 part then great as well.....

If the effluent line out of your reactor keeps clogging up then there are a couple of questions: 1st what is the ph inside the reactor? It might be too low as mine was clogging so I changed up a few things now I never have to mess with it. Mine is feed off a dart return with a manifold just like yours is and what I did was on the feed to the reactor I placed a john guest needle valve so I could control the feed into reactor before the low ph and dissolved CA had a chance to clogged it. Just for safe measures I put a john guest ball valve on the exit and closed it off until it is dialed in and it has worked perfect. My ph inside my reactor is controlled via the apex and solenoid comes on at 7.0 and shuts off at 6.7 and my CA stays around 440 with a sps dominant tank. I use to run the needle valve on the exit and ph lower and had all kinds of trouble but since I switched it around it has worked flawlessly.

If you choose to go the 2 part route then I would do the swap in the same day so that one replaces the other and you should be fine.

 

[FF337]

Thanks Eric. I too control the supply line rather than the discharge. My valve is different however.

I think I am sold on the dosing. I just spoke to BRS and Lou helped clarify many of my questions. I won't be buying for a week though. I am on the way from GA to NY. Won't be home until Weds next week. So keep the ideas coming.

Thanks again.

 

[cdness]

I have heard that more people have better success controlling on the feed side of the reactor, but many still have the adjustment on the other end... I have yet to put in my reactor, but I can say dosing gets expensive after time so I wouldn't discount the reactor just yet.

Can you post what you are using to control the feed line? Does the feed seem consistent?

 

[bct15]

I took my calcium reactor off and switched to two part (becausemy calcium reactor was noisy, reef octopus something or anther for up to 300 gallon tank), but I have a mixed reef that is not very stocked ATM. I imagine a fully stocked 180 sps tank would be expensive to run two part, it would save more money getting that calcium reactor dialed in. Like two part, a calcium reactor takes some tweaking but once it's set it is set and forget.


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[Dtech07]

+1 on which method that works best for you has to be considered but I know plenty of reefers who in the long run returned to Ca Reactors due to cost of materials using dosers once the frags became full blown colonies. Hundreds to thousands of millileters used daily plus getting a bad batch of dry goods that were high in ALK, Ca, or Mag.
For my Ca reactor I purchase extra line and valve and every 3 months just switch it all out and clean and rotate total cost was $16 and I've been running it this way for two years with the same 8 lines and valves and it takes only 5min change it all out. Media cost has been $45 for the past two years so for me cost and ease has kept me with my Ca Reator

 

[FF337]

I took my calcium reactor off and switched to two part (becausemy calcium reactor was noisy, reef octopus something or anther for up to 300 gallon tank), but I have a mixed reef that is not very stocked ATM. I imagine a fully stocked 180 sps tank would be expensive to run two part, it would save more money getting that calcium reactor dialed in. Like two part, a calcium reactor takes some tweaking but once it's set it is set and forget.


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Thanks BCT. I did some math. Using 60ml daily for one gallon of solution, it should last approximately 63 days. Each gallon (powder) kit from BRS is around $70. Less if I opt for 5 gallon buckets. But at 63 days per gallon of solution, that will last a couple days past a year. DEPENDING whether an increase is needed or not. I am counting on it needing to be increased though.

I want to get away from daily adjustments of an effluent valve. But I am down with keeping a CARX only if I can keep it dialed in. It is supposed to be set and forget, but it is necessary to check everything daily.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[FF337]

+1 on which method that works best for you has to be considered but I know plenty of reefers who in the long run returned to Ca Reactors due to cost of materials using dosers once the frags became full blown colonies. Hundreds to thousands of millileters used daily plus getting a bad batch of dry goods that were high in ALK, Ca, or Mag.
For my Ca reactor I purchase extra line and valve and every 3 months just switch it all out and clean and rotate total cost was $16 and I've been running it this way for two years with the same 8 lines and valves and it takes only 5min change it all out. Media cost has been $45 for the past two years so for me cost and ease has kept me with my Ca Reator

Although a CARX is supposed to be set and forget, eventually the demand will increase. Either dropping PH in reactor to dose "hotter" or increase effluent rate. So regardless the means to dose there IS adjustments.

I wonder what it cost to run a CARX vs dosers electricity wise. 2 small pumps an hour a day vs 1 reactor pump continuously. This is a great question.

I want simple. It is out there.

 

[shred5]

If your tank has a high enough evaporation rate and can handle the ph from kalk I would dose kalkwasser and then watch your magnesium levels. Kalk is pure and will hold your calium levels and alk levels up and stabilize your ph.

 

[FF337]

I'm dosing kalk in ato currently. Took it offline this week because I'm going out of town until next weds.

 

[Dtech07]

Simple is always best when trying to maintain a stable environment. As for me I never touch my effluence only adjust the Co2 but of course I'm not having clogging issues either.

 

[FF337]

Simple is always best when trying to maintain a stable environment. As for me I never touch my effluence only adjust the Co2 but of course I'm not having clogging issues either.

This is where I wish I were from the beginning.

 

[Dtech07]

I would like know how the dosing works for make sure you post it.

 

[FF337]

Will do. Thanks for the input.

 

[Dtech07]

Oh and I went off the standard brand of Ca Reactors I have AquaaMaxx rated for 400gallon. It is completely silent and out performs my old reef octopus.

 

[Mrfresh]

I use dosing pumps
Love them
Took me a few days to get my dose amount right
But corals are going like weeds now.

If ur using dosing pumps invest in a controler to control the timers.
I had cheap timers go out on me and dumped almost a whole gallon of cal in my tank...

 

[dankreef]

Calicum reactor 100%. Set it and forget it I check my alk like 1x per 2 weeks it never changes its always 8.3-8.5 best thing i've ever seen. Auto top off + calcium reactor + apex = only touch my tank every 2 weeks.

 

[Dtech07]

+1 the Apex has help great for sure.

 

[mcarroll]

I'm a fan of 2-part and kalk, myself.

You could consider a kalk reactor + vinegar in your ATO as another super-simple replacement for dosers and the Ca reactor if you really want an all-in-one solution that's dead-simple to operate. I would use a Tunze 5074 instead of any of the more complicated reactors. Here's the detail you will need: http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breefcase/kalkwasser.html Hit me with any questions if you want.

FWIW, shipping on 5-gal of anything is prohibitive - $30-$50. Check with BRS, Buckeye Field Supply or anyone who sells bulk like that.

Also FWIW, I buy driveway melt ($20/5 gal) and baking soda at the wholesale club...not for everyone to be sure, but two part dosing does not have to be expensive.

-Matt