are calcium reactors outdated now?

[acropora4u]

Hello, with all the emphasis on higher PH , and calcium reactors (CR) often have a negative effect on PH, are CRs really needed any longer with all the dosing pump reef additives on the market that accomplish better results with higher PH to boot. Plus i have a kalk reactor now that i have been using , BUT, i also have a geo dual reactor, a carbon regulator and the Kamoer FX-STP2 WiFi Peristaltic Dosing Pump that I am not using at the moment, but dont know if i should use it as i don't want PH to lower... i am good with PH and alk currently

 

[DeniseAndy]

Mine is great and I never have issues with pH. Been using it for over 14years. Then again, I use gravity top off. Maybe I am just old.

 

[PeterC99]

Calcium reactors are an incredibly efficient way to run your aquariums parameters! Note - temp is up because 80 degree day in NY.

 

[vetteguy53081]

They will always be an essential use item and a benefit. Popularity may have decreased with units such as KH guardian, Trident, etc.
Mine is a difference maker

 

[outhouse]

Outdated? Says who? Some baby tank owners? Anyone with a large tank knows their value.

 

[acropora4u]

i will most likely restart the CR as my acros are growing nicely these past months... i will add sand to the second chamber instead of reactor media to try and absorb some of that Co2 so it does not lower tank PH

 

[Sean Clark]

I would suggest keeping in mind that what is good for the consumer market often gets more attention than what is best for the consumer.
Selling you endless bottles of solutions is better for someone that is selling you bottles. Of course they will market the product as better.
That does not make it so.
Buy into the hype machine if you like but a Calcium reactor is one of the most natural ways, if not the most natural way, to replenish our small oceans in our living rooms.

Funny that people use to be discouraged by the initial cost of a Ca reactor. With the current price of a doser and supplements Ca reactors are down right affordable.

 

[acropora4u]

i want to set it back, its been offline for 1 year, now i forget how! ugh!!

 

[outhouse]

now i forget how! ugh!!

Very simple. get you tank water circulating through system, a c02 bubble every second and a half, and a small trickle on output, when I say small trickle, just above where it drips. From here you only change your bubble count slightly to meet the tanks needs.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

They will always be an essential use item and a benefit. Popularity may have decreased with units such as KH guardian, Trident, etc.
Mine is a difference maker

There is a sump somewhere in there…right?

 

[HuduVudu]

Outdated? Says who? Some baby tank owners? Anyone with a large tank knows their value.

I have adapted my CaRx to a smaller tank size. Works pretty much the same as large tanks but with some changes.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

the cove reactor from Parker’s reef vid looks like a good unit. Idk if it’s available in states yet. Good gear in Oz.

 

[vetteguy53081]

There is a sump somewhere in there…right?

Look to the right- you can see part of it. Custom 140g sump

 

[hart24601]

I think they are still the workhorse of late reef tanks and I don’t see anything changing that. A 300+ gallon reef with 12” colonies just takes so much 2 part most folks don’t want to mix 5g+ frequently and that is asking a lot out of dosing heads unless step up to continuous duty. I do think with increased attention on ph some will also use kalk or a hydroxide 2 part to help, but then again by the time one needs a reactor for huge colonies they generally are not trying for max growth.

 

[outhouse]

I have adapted my CaRx to a smaller tank size. Works pretty much the same as large tanks but with some changes.

Understood. my point is small tanks can use what ever, 2 part is cost effective for a small tank.

2 part is not cost effective, for large tanks. Thats why most of us use Ca reactors

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

They should be called alk reactors. Lol.
They are actually more stable imo than dosing. Just the needs need to be their to justify.
Meaning if the demand isn't their than no need for the supply.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Can't wait to upgrade my display and actually have the alk needs for my lifereef cx reactor. Lol.
Had it for yrs and have yet to use it.
D

 

[Spare time]

Hello, with all the emphasis on higher PH , and calcium reactors (CR) often have a negative effect on PH, are CRs really needed any longer with all the dosing pump reef additives on the market that accomplish better results with higher PH to boot. Plus i have a kalk reactor now that i have been using , BUT, i also have a geo dual reactor, a carbon regulator and the Kamoer FX-STP2 WiFi Peristaltic Dosing Pump that I am not using at the moment, but dont know if i should use it as i don't want PH to lower... i am good with PH and alk currently

I would never use one since I don't want to dump acidic water and phosphate into my tank. However, I do understand that large tanks are the ones that benefit from them.

 

[plankton]

Depends on size of tank, mineral demand from tank. I used two part dosing on my heavily populated 75G tank and just couldn’t keep up so added a CaRx and it’s plug and forget. Love my CaRx. I used to use Milwaukee pH controller plus dual gauge with solemoid but their product just just crap. Bought a much nicer dual stage and hooked up pH probe to spare PM1 module and CaRx is rock solid at 6.31. I do use co2 scrubber on skimmer intake and tank pH range is 7.90-8.1 not great but very stable.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Most people use the auto planted solenoids.
D