Any Good Calcium Reactors?

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SchnitzelReef said:
If you have to open the valve to release co2, then you are probably pumping in too much. When was the last time you calibrated your ph probe? I had a similar problem, found out my ph probe was off a bit. Once I calibrated the probe, it was good to go
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Not CO2, the clamp that controls the drip of effluent into the sump.
 
Winschuc said:
Not CO2, the clamp that controls the drip of effluent into the sump.
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I understood what you were saying. You have to open the effluent to let out built up pressure in the reactor. This is usually caused by excess co2 being injected into the reactor. If your ph probe isn't calibrated, it might be reading normal, but the real ph number may be much less.
 
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MTC has my vote.
procal reactor.jpg
 
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I am trying to remember, but I got it from MTC. It has a solonoid and a needle valve. Very nice gauge. I think it was around $120. This was when I first set it up. Now I use ARM coarse in it and it is using a blueline pump. I also use a 10g CO2 cylinder.
 
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Tank2379 said:
Pretty much what I am getting the Geo with the Carbon Doser from Aquarium Plants
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You'll be very happy with this setup

Regardless of what that one fella posted about a peristaltic pump being overkill, my guess would be that he's never used one lol. Trust me, it makes all the difference in the world! All the control and ability to dial things in of 2 part dosing, but with the foundation and trace element dosing of a calcium reactor. Much safer than 2 part dosing as well.
 
swk said:
You'll be very happy with this setup

Regardless of what that one fella posted about a peristaltic pump being overkill, my guess would be that he's never used one lol. Trust me, it makes all the difference in the world! All the control and ability to dial things in of 2 part dosing, but with the foundation and trace element dosing of a calcium reactor. Much safer than 2 part dosing as well.
Click to expand...
That fella was me. Been running calcium reactors for years, and never had a problem dialing them in. I think the people that use those variable speed pumps never had the reactor setup correctly. A peristaltic pump may be easier, but it's absolutely not necessary. Just my opinion.
 
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SchnitzelReef said:
Just wondering. What was the reactor not doing correctly before you added the variable speed pump?
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Didn't say it was required. It's a nice piece of equipment that provides rock steady effluent flow regardless of things that would cause a regular feed pump to fluctuate.

If there's a clog somewhere, the flow will not change. Flow will never change. The ability to adjust a ml a minute increment means the reactor can be dialed in exactly where needed. You can break down the reactor to clean and refill and coupled with a quality reg, you can put it right back together and fire it up and there is no readjustment at all.

It's just a fact that effluent rate will vary with a cheap impeller driven feed pump. This eliminates that.

The reactor is going to operate fine without it. Will it still dissolve ca based media with the introduction of co2 - yup. There's a reason why Dastaco, the maker of one of the most highly respected calcium reactor setups in the world, includes one with their kit....
 
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