Best Calcium Reactor on medium large system

Bruce Burnett · Dec 2, 2016

Who has a 250 gallon are larger system using a calcium reactor and what do you think of your current reactor brand and size plus have you used any previous ones. I have a 300 gallon system mixed corals but mostly SPS and my current calcium reactor is an Aqua-C Rx1 purchased years ago. Was thinking of a Geo's Reef CR624 or CR818. Looking for peoples input on what they have actually used currently and in the past, Brand model, good points and bad points they had when using.

garias · Dec 2, 2016

you cant go wrong with Geo reactor I would do the CR624

Bruce Burnett · Dec 2, 2016

bump anyone else

eg8r210 · Dec 2, 2016

I have run a geo reactor on my 300 gal system and have had zero problems with it other than I hate all the screws on the lid. If I was going to make a change I would go with a larger geo like you are contemplating OR I would go with the new Pacific Sun CaRx. It looks amazing and doesn't need a probe.

Bruce Burnett · Dec 2, 2016

eg8r210 said:
I have run a geo reactor on my 300 gal system and have had zero problems with it other than I hate all the screws on the lid. If I was going to make a change I would go with a larger geo like you are contemplating OR I would go with the new Pacific Sun CaRx. It looks amazing and doesn't need a probe.

Where can you buy one right now. When will they be available in the US and the medium is expected to be $1,000. I like the peristaltic pump but can get used one on eBay. I was looking to keep price around the $500 price range. The Pacific Sun has all those screws on the lid butI I would not have a reactor that does not have a full opening on the top.

gus6464 · Dec 2, 2016

Go for the big canister GEO and then add a UMC for second chamber. Will be cheaper. I got a UMC 420 on black friday for $100 and it's massive.

Bruce Burnett · Dec 2, 2016

gus6464 said:
Go for the big canister GEO and then add a UMC for second chamber. Will be cheaper. I got a UMC 420 on black friday for $100 and it's massive.

Sounds good need to start saving

jda · Dec 2, 2016

Any of them are fine... just have to refill the media faster on a smaller unit. Even the smallest unit can melt media fast enough for the largest tank. I have a larger Korallin and it will hold almost three jugs of ARM and will last about 6 months on a 240G tank.

Bruce Burnett · Dec 2, 2016

I never cared for the Korallin I use to have but then again that was 15 years ago. But having the pump at the top instead of below the waterline it seemed to get air locked easier especially if the feed pump was not putting enough pressure to over come the airlock and excess co2. They have been around a long time as the one I had I purchased 20 years ago but stopped using and then used it again. Got rid of it as it was not big enough for my tank now.

Bruce Burnett · Dec 4, 2016

Anybody else or is everyone in agreement about the Geo. what about the reef Octopus CR5000, Skimz monster or Aqua Max looking to keep cost close to $500-$600 range but less money is always better.

Bruce Burnett · Dec 4, 2016

Slick Reef said:
Reef octopus 5000 dual. I feel the pumps on geo are undersized for the circulation.

I was wondering the same thing as I have only owned two calcium reactors and bot of them I think the recirculation pumps were undersized.

billwill · Dec 4, 2016

I built one to mimic geo using avast marine media reactor. Do it yourself media reactor and fittings to make it cost about half as much. Fun project too!

Bruce Burnett · Dec 4, 2016

billwill said:
I built one to mimic geo using avast marine media reactor. Do it yourself media reactor and fittings to make it cost about half as much. Fun project too!

The largest reactor they have only holds 16 Cups as it is 6" diameter 18" tall, what did you do with the tube down the middle. I want it up flow recirculating almost fluidized.

Bruce Burnett · Dec 4, 2016

Has anyone used an Aqua Excel with the Sicce pump

Daniel@R2R · Dec 5, 2016

Bump for more input!

NCreefguy · Dec 5, 2016

I was in the same boat looking through all of the different calcium reactors and decided to go with the Geo CR618. I haven't set it up yet but the build quality is amazing. This thing feels really solid and built like a tank.

billwill · Dec 5, 2016

Bruce Burnett said:
The largest reactor they have only holds 16 Cups as it is 6" diameter 18" tall, what did you do with the tube down the middle. I want it up flow recirculating almost fluidized.

Mine runs up flow just like the geo using the center tube as the feed line like normal. I would have preferred it to be taller, but it still holds a tremendous amount of media compared to my old reef octopus cr140. Running a second Avast marine media reactor as second chamber.

Bruce Burnett · Dec 5, 2016

billwill said:
Mine runs up flow just like the geo using the center tube as the feed line like normal. I would have preferred it to be taller, but it still holds a tremendous amount of media compared to my old reef octopus cr140. Running a second Avast marine media reactor as second chamber.

looks pretty good what size system ate you running it on.

rainmaker · Dec 5, 2016

I have the GEO 618 with one of there fluidized reactors as 2nd chamber filled it up with media a year ago and still running on a 150g have had no problems with it ,setup get adjusted an let it run