CA reactor. Worth it or not?

Madreef · Apr 10, 2013

I started my sps keeping learning on a calcium reactor system. My current 150 sps dominate tank uses a 3-channel doser; however after two years I'm giving up on it. I am assembling all the parts currently for setting up a geo 818 with PM effulent chamber, using a electronic regulator controlled by ACJR via the DC 8 and ph probe in the reactor, I will also possibly add a second probe to my drip container. This has always worked for me, I haven't had the same success with using the doser and as you mention you can go through a lot of liquids. Hopefully 25 pounds of media will hold me over in the GEO lol

90greefman · Apr 10, 2013

I use the carbon doser electronic regulator from aquariumpants.com. Dont know much about the other 2 but the one i use is completely hassle free. I really like my ca reactor. I just use a knob c, works great and keeps all my parameters in check. Just have to add media occassionally.

mcarroll · Apr 19, 2013

gws3 said:
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.

+1 - just realize what messing with your concentration does to the numbers one would get from the Reef Calculator if you're using that.

Calcium reactors can be very fussy - a complex system where a lot can potentially go wrong. (See: Murphy's Law) Their saving grace is cheap operating costs. Unfortunately those are somewhat offset by high deployment costs.

These are the things I would do or consider before deploying a calcium reactor, in order of priority (#1 and #2 are no-brainers):

Switch to baking soda for alkalinity. I wouldn't bother baking it, but you can.
Kalk 1 - Add a Tunze 5074 Calcium Dispenser (or similar) to your top-off bucket. This is the utmost is simplicity of design (goodbye Murphy!) and use.
Kalk 2 - Consider mixing vinegar with the RODI water in the 5074-setup to get more saturated limewater. There are no limits to this, so you may not need to consider further measures if you like this option.
Consider switching to ice melter for Calcium. I would search at BJ's or another wholesale club. You may find this cost savings unnecessary after doing all of the above - BRS calcium isn't that expensive. If you do, my recommendation is to make sure you get CaCl that's marked "Made In The USA" as this has a more or less known profile of impurities that don't seem to do any harm and aren't hard to minimize. Most of the contaminants will precipitate once you dissolve in water. To minimize the effects, either filter out the precipitate or just do what you can not to dose the precipitate as I do.

As would be the case for any big changes, don't implement any of these things if you can't be around to judge if there is a problem for the next week or two at least. (Murphy again.)

-Matt

Dtech07 · Apr 19, 2013

pumarjr said:
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.

+1 on the AquaMaxx:
I've been running a AquaMaxx S1 now for 6 months a it's the best investment i've purchase thus far. I haven't touched my dosers nor my Ca, Mag, Alk additives in 5 months. The only maintenance thats been needed is the cleaning of the Effluence and the changing of the intake line (due to the buildup of minerals and Colline) which is part of the husbandry. I have great sps/lps/softie growth with very stable conditions.
It took a total of 3 weeks for the S1 to stabilize and i've only needed to increase the Co2 due to increase in growth and the demand for more core materials.
I also run Kalk in my ATO this has kept my Ph in the Main tank at 8.02day 7.98night.
-Darryl