CA reactor. Worth it or not?

Dave3112 · Sep 11, 2011

I have been thinking about getting one for a couple of years now. BUT I know and have read about a lot of different people that have had solenoids stick open and nuke the tank and other problems. I have always liked the ability to control EXACTLY what I put in my reef to control CA and ALK, but with that said, I am using about a gallon of the BRS 2 part about every 18 days and it gets to be monotonous always mixing the stuff up. Not to mention a little pricey.

If I do go with a CA reactor there are a couple of questions I have:

1. Whats the best REASONABLE priced set up?

2. What size media is the best to keep the maintenance to a minimum?

3. American marine controller or Milwaukee controller?

If I don't go with a CA reactor,I would like some of your opinions, what other ways do you control your CA and ALK? I know I could go the RHF diy 2 part but I question the purity of the ice melters.

My water volume is 250 gal give or take and I have a SPS dominant reef. I keep my parameters at:
Alk 9 to 9.5
CA 420-430
Mg 1450-1500
Ph 8.2-8.4
Sg 1.026

ANY opinions are welcome, so let me hear them! I really am on the fence about this and any and all info, pro and con, on either way will help me to jump to one side or the other.

Thank you all in advance!

Dave

josepy1 · Sep 11, 2011

I just setup a vertex reactor with an aquarium plants regulator and solenoid all controlled by a aqua controller three. I upgraded from a 90 to a 120 with a 20g refuge and did not want to dose anymore. the initial setup was pretty good since a bought from local reefers used, still cost about 700ish for everything. the controller takes care of the solenoid getting stuck open. I have not quite dialed it in yet but i do know that in the long run it is worth the initial investment. i was on the fence like you cause I liked to hand dose to control everything, but could not imagine dosing over a gallon in eighteen days. So if you are going to do this do not skimp, or by cheap, go with the Geo, or the vertex. Get a controller that has two ph probes. Finally dont buy a cheap regulator, milwaukee, aquarium plants, aquamedic are all top of the line. hope this helps sway you to the dark side, lol.

florida reef · Sep 11, 2011

I would try Kalk first. I switched from 2 part dosing to kalk about 6 months ago and have never looked back. There are multiple ways you can drip kalk. here is a good thread that is all about kalk and its advantages. https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/54889-kalk-all-s-cracked-up.html

I am suggesting this because I know a good calcium reactor set up can be well over $500. The kalk set up I have consists of a 5g bucket, air lifter pump and some clear tubing, probably <$50.

Murfman · Sep 11, 2011

I dose both Ca and Kalk, through reactors. I think in today's age, I'd go with peristaltic pumps and use two part over the Ca reactor. One thing about using a reactor is definitely go with a controller so if you did have any solenoid issues, it cuts power to the solenoid.

Dave3112 · Sep 11, 2011

Thanks for the reply! I really didn't mind the 2 part so much when I first started and my tank was all frags! LOL. I could get buy with a gallon every month or so but it has become a pain as things have grown. How long does it typically take to dial in a reactor?

Dave3112 · Sep 11, 2011

florida reef said:
I would try Kalk first. I switched from 2 part dosing to kalk about 6 months ago and have never looked back. There are multiple ways you can drip kalk. here is a good thread that is all about kalk and its advantages. https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/54889-kalk-all-s-cracked-up.html

I am suggesting this because I know a good calcium reactor set up can be well over $500. The kalk set up I have consists of a 5g bucket, air lifter pump and some clear tubing, probably <$50.

I guess I should have said that I dose a gallon of Kalk a day also

Dave3112 · Sep 11, 2011

Murfman said:
I dose both Ca and Kalk, through reactors. I think in today's age, I'd go with peristaltic pumps and use two part over the Ca reactor. One thing about using a reactor is definitely go with a controller so if you did have any solenoid issues, it cuts power to the solenoid.

I use 2 brs dosing pumps on timers for the 2 part I'm using now and manually drip a gallon of kalk every night. I know that a Gallon of Kalk is not a lot but I use it more for the Ph stability I guess. I have a large fuge with cheato but I was still dropping my ph below 8 at night without it.

pumarjr · Sep 11, 2011

I got my cal reactor from aqua max, I love it, next to 0 maintenance, reliable and continuously keeps my ca at 410-420. I also drip Kalk for ph stability, one gal at a drip that takes about 3-5 days to complete.

Murfman · Sep 11, 2011

Dave3112 said:
Thanks for the reply! I really didn't mind the 2 part so much when I first started and my tank was all frags! LOL. I could get buy with a gallon every month or so but it has become a pain as things have grown. How long does it typically take to dial in a reactor?

I run my top off via kalk reactor so prolly 3 gallons a day, minimum.

As for dialing it in, it is a lot easier using a controller to turn your solenoid on and off at specific pH. Mine is set to have a steady flow of effluent drip 24x7. Some times I have to bump my alk up (Ca reactor doses more of your alk and the kalk reactor more of the Ca). It is very hard for a reactor to "catch up" if you get low. If you get one, test daily till you get it dialed in and stable.

Dave3112 · Sep 11, 2011

Murfman said:
I run my top off via kalk reactor so prolly 3 gallons a day, minimum.

As for dialing it in, it is a lot easier using a controller to turn your solenoid on and off at specific pH. Mine is set to have a steady flow of effluent drip 24x7. Some times I have to bump my alk up (Ca reactor doses more of your alk and the kalk reactor more of the Ca). It is very hard for a reactor to "catch up" if you get low. If you get one, test daily till you get it dialed in and stable.

Thanks for the info! I had heard that I would have to test everyday until I got it dialed in if I went with a reactor. Will the pinpoint controller turn it on and off or do I need a apex?

Reef Pets · Sep 11, 2011

I would go with dosing pumps or a Kalk Reactor before using a Calcium Reactor.

Check out this thread, a lot of great information about Kalk Reactors
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/54889-kalk-all-s-cracked-up.html

Murfman · Sep 11, 2011

The pin point will turn it off and on, so will a Milwaukee. I just prefer the AJ Jr for peace of mind.

Dave3112 · Sep 11, 2011

reefpets said:
I would go with dosing pumps or a Kalk Reactor before using a Calcium Reactor.

Check out this thread, a lot of great information about Kalk Reactors
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/54889-kalk-all-s-cracked-up.html

Gary,

I do use the BRS dosers but not a kalk reactor. I may give one of those a shot before I take the step to a CA reactor. Do you think I will be able to cut down the use of my 2 part if I did all my top off with Kalk?

Murfman · Sep 11, 2011

Dave3112 said:
Gary,

I do use the BRS dosers but not a kalk reactor. I may give one of those a shot before I take the step to a CA reactor. Do you think I will be able to cut down the use of my 2 part if I did all my top off with Kalk?

Kalk is going to raise your Ca and pH but not so much your alk. You would be able to cut back with your BRS Ca dosing but would have to keep the alk dosing going.

gws3 · Sep 22, 2011

You can mix 2 part MUCH stronger than the usual instructions. Put it in 5 gallon buckets on a doser. This will allow you to go months between mixing. I prefer the control and stability of 2 part.

turfster26 · Sep 22, 2011

Went with CalRx two years ago and have never looked back. Can go over 9 months with no tweaks to the CalRx and/or dosing. Set it and forget it.....HTH

CONSTANTNE · Sep 22, 2011

I currently use a bubble magus doser on my 40 breeder SPS tank. When I upgrade to a 100+ tank I cant see myself dealing with it. Plus it seems a calcium reactor will dose 24/7 and stability is key with SPS

SDguy · Sep 22, 2011

I've been using my Korallin reactor for about 5 years now. I like it. Awesomely small footprint.

Dave3112 · Sep 23, 2011

Thanks for all the input! I still have not decided what to do yet. Maybe by the time I get back from Europe I will have made up my mind. LOL

AZDesertRat · Sep 23, 2011

I feel the best reactor you can buy is the Geo, from www.geosreef.com . Once set up properly, they have very detailed, easy to understand directions on the website, a calcium reactor is almost set and forget.
Mine doesn't get touched for weeks on end and the media and CO2 last about 9 months. While mine (not a Geo by the way) was down due to a bad pump I started dosing again andwhat a PITA. If I were to replace the one I have it would only be with a Geo.