Calcium reactor for very large systems

[FishTruck]

Hi Monster Tank Guys. I have a 1000 gallon display and two 120 gallon frag tanks. I am about 20% stocked with SPS right now.

I will need a bigger calcium reactor soon. I have a geo 618, which is getting full of CO2 bubbles as I try to push it to keep up with my current Alk demands. I am also running Kalkwasser 24 hours per day now.

I am looking at Lifereef LCR3 and also the geo 1218. Any opinions or experiences or other options I should consider? I am leaning toward lifereef because I like the upgrade options and I have space for a tall reactor.

 

[ryannterror]

I love my Aquarium Engineering unit. I haven't had a single issue with it and CO2 last a lot longer than other units I've had. Mines an older model without controller.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

I would suggest the A.C.R reactors from Aquarium Engineering. They are built very well (all PVC) and provide huge levels of supplementation. However I don't recommend the controller that is provided with them. I have an A.C.R., and the automatic aspects of the reactor work fine, just the flow metering is lacking. I would, and do, drive it with a Masterflex pump and forego the metering from the included controller.

It is a saturation style reactor, so no fiddling with PH or bubbles, you just control it by how much flow you put through it (like Dastaco). You just need to use a media that does not turn to mush at super low PH's. I use Reborn, it works great with these.

Dennis

 

[ryannterror]

I would suggest the A.C.R reactors from Aquarium Engineering. They are built very well (all PVC) and provide huge levels of supplementation. However I don't recommend the controller that is provided with them. I have an A.C.R., and the automatic aspects of the reactor work fine, just the flow metering is lacking. I would, and do, drive it with a Masterflex pump and forego the metering from the included controller.

It is a saturation style reactor, so no fiddling with PH or bubbles, you just control it by how much flow you put through it (like Dastaco). You just need to use a media that does not turn to mush at super low PH's. I use Reborn, it works great with these.

Dennis

Like Dennis I also use a Masterflex pump and Reborn.

 

[New Jersey REEF]

I use mrc calcium reactor
I definitely recommend that

 

[ca1ore]

Buddy of mine has the lifereef and likes it a lot. I’m sure Jeff would make you a custom one. How handy are you? I ended up making my own because MTC, makers of the procal, went and retired. I simply won’t do business with AE and Jeff was busy at the time, so I made one. Not hard really.

 

[FishTruck]

I would suggest the A.C.R reactors from Aquarium Engineering. They are built very well (all PVC) and provide huge levels of supplementation. However I don't recommend the controller that is provided with them. I have an A.C.R., and the automatic aspects of the reactor work fine, just the flow metering is lacking. I would, and do, drive it with a Masterflex pump and forego the metering from the included controller.

It is a saturation style reactor, so no fiddling with PH or bubbles, you just control it by how much flow you put through it (like Dastaco). You just need to use a media that does not turn to mush at super low PH's. I use Reborn, it works great with these.

Dennis

Brilliant! OK... so a float switch or something just turns off the CO2 when the solution is saturated? - which should keep the pH at 6.0. with the correct media this won't make mush. Then... all I need to do is turn the effluent flow up or down.

Is this the box that I DON'T need then? This is the flowmeter that is not as good as a masterflex pump?

 

[Dennis Cartier]

Brilliant! OK... so a float switch or something just turns off the CO2 when the solution is saturated? - which should keep the pH at 6.0. with the correct media this won't make mush. Then... all I need to do is turn the effluent flow up or down.

Is this the box that I DON'T need then? This is the flowmeter that is not as good as a masterflex pump?

Yes, but it does not look like that anymore. The controller he provides now has 2 boxes. One with the timer for setting the duty cycle and a second 'valve' box that has a pinch valve and a couple of CO2 solenoids in series, inside it. There is a float switch in the lid of the reactor, and the float switch controls the solenoid. As the CO2 gas pocket gets absorbed, the water level rises and the solenoid opens and restores the gas pocket. The only setting you need to make, is to set your CO2 regulator to 8-10 psi and then adjust the effluent flow using a Masterflex or other peristaltic pump.

In my case, I placed my Masterflex in place of the connections to/from the effluent port on the valve box and just ignore the timer. At some point I plan to replace the CO2 solenoid with a Clippard valve controlled directly from the float switch and then I can remove the factory controller altogether.

Other users use the included controller, but in my case, after trying to use it and getting frustrated, I just substituted in a Masterflex and found it to be so much easier.

I would suggest you read through the A.C.R threads on here to get real world feedback from owners. Feel free to PM me directly as well.

Dennis

 

[cvysochin]

We run dual Geo 1218's with two of the largest secondary chambers they offer. No complaints and no desire to go any other route. Have two spares and considering setting up a third. 2k+ gallon system, very heavy SPS. Melt 40 lbs of media every 4 months. Zero maintenance or tinkering. Masterflex and two stage regulators are the key.

 

[FishTruck]

We run dual Geo 1218's with two of the largest secondary chambers they offer. No complaints and no desire to go any other route. Have two spares and considering setting up a third. 2k+ gallon system, very heavy SPS. Melt 40 lbs of media every 4 months. Zero maintenance or tinkering. Masterflex and two stage regulators are the key.

So... you are running TWO Geo 1218s for a 2K+ system... I guess ONE Geo 1218 would be good for a 1K+ system then, based on your experience yes? Also... do you know what flow rate each of those 1218s runs at with your masterflex?

I am temporarily done with masterflex after running one for 8 years.... and finding the Kameor pumps easier for me (the guy who forgets to change the masterflex tubing, spills saltwater, gasses out the reactor and ruins the pump head - which costs more than an whole Kamoer to replace). So... I'd like a reactor that can be regulated by a smaller pump like a Kaeomer.

 

[cvysochin]

I think one 1218 would be a good fit. Running one at 80 ml / min, and another at about 120 ml / min. 6.4 ph roughly in the chambers. I know a lot of people use Kamoers and have good luck with them. Our flow rate is on the higher side and I feel a bit more comfortable with the masterflexes, since they're designed for higher rpm's. We use norprene tubing which is rated for something crazy like 500 hours at 600 rpm. Most people don't see anywhere near those rpms, so the tubing should last a very long time.

 

[FishTruck]

I think one 1218 would be a good fit. Running one at 80 ml / min, and another at about 120 ml / min. 6.4 ph roughly in the chambers. I know a lot of people use Kamoers and have good luck with them. Our flow rate is on the higher side and I feel a bit more comfortable with the masterflexes, since they're designed for higher rpm's. We use norprene tubing which is rated for something crazy like 500 hours at 600 rpm. Most people don't see anywhere near those rpms, so the tubing should last a very long time.

Thanks! If I go back to Masterflex I will try the neoprene tubing.

 

[cvysochin]

Yep, I think it makes the difference. The people who complain about tubing issues are usually using lower grade tubing. And the lower grade tubing isn't even necessarily cheaper as we've been finding awesome deals on whole rolls of the norprene tubing for next to thing on Ebay. Along with the masterflex drives as well... I'm talking like two drives, with heads, for less than the price of a Kamoer. Sure they are older and used, and take up more space, but its hard to pass that up.

 

[o2manyfish]

Dastaco! I had the Aquarium Engineering and it couldn't keep up. Build quality was okay after I glued together the parts they didn't But what a Crap design when you need to clean it out. Dastaco, although much more delicate, just produces without any issues. Find a place where you can't bump into it and you won't worry about it for a year or so. I'm running 1300g of packed sps - with 2 outdoor frag tanks. And I am adding about 80 lbs of media every 10 to 12 months. I have an EXT 9

 

[FishTruck]

Dastaco! I had the Aquarium Engineering and it couldn't keep up. Build quality was okay after I glued together the parts they didn't But what a Crap design when you need to clean it out. Dastaco, although much more delicate, just produces without any issues. Find a place where you can't bump into it and you won't worry about it for a year or so. I'm running 1300g of packed sps - with 2 outdoor frag tanks. And I am adding about 80 lbs of media every 10 to 12 months. I have an EXT 9

Do you use the Datasco media? If so... is that hard to aquire?

 

[SPR1968]

Take a look at the Deltec Twin Tech calcium reactors, they do 3 sizes and have excellent build quality

Ive got the 1500, there fully automated and all you do is press a button to increase or decrease flow. Everything is handled by the computer

They aren’t cheap though. Reef Builders did a full review on them and video if you do a quick search

You might get away with the 3000 version, when I researched I was told by the UK suppliers they were under rated on performance, mine ticks over at around 26 litres out of a potential 356 I think.

 

[o2manyfish]

I do use the Dastaco and / or the Triton Media. It's super dense lime stone. The average aquarist burns less than an inch of media in 3-4 months. My system is packed and I burn an inch a month. When you are talking about a reactor that's 30" tall (or taller) then running out of media isn't such a big deal. If you think you need more you are going to have months to get more to your house before you are really in a crisis. For me it's no big deal, Unique Corals is 10 min from my house.

I also will give Kudos to Deltec equipment. I don't have experience with their new reactors, I did know the whole line of older Deltec stuff. And it's really reliable once setup. Problem for me has been the availability and price of Deltec replacement parts when you needed them. That was several years back I don't know who is distributing them now.

Dave B

 

[FishTruck]

Looking hard at the Deltec 10,000 - but I do prefer a reactor that I can "Home Depot" back into action if something breaks. The proprietary electronics make me a little nervous. Price of the Deltec 10K and the Datasco EXT9 are similar.

Depending on whether I can goose my GEO 618 a little more... it might come down to who can ship the fastest.

 

[o2manyfish]

The EXT 9 is a monster - I'm running it on 1350g of packed SPS and it's not even running at 50%. Asking anyone to ship this week with the freeze is trick question.

Unique Corals is Distributing the Dastaco, and they have been doing so for 6+ years. So you know there is supply of parts here. And having been there just the other day I can say they have a wall of spare parts, and even a few units they have cannibalized for their customers.

I don't know what Deltec does or doesn't have in the US in terms of spare parts.



Dave B

 

[FishTruck]

Cost breakdown Datasco models versus Deltec CRTT10000 - based on what is in stock and what hopefully has capacity for a 1500 gallon SPS tank now and forever. I am also assuming that I need a peristaltic pump for the dastaco reactors, whereas the Deltec comes with a controllable DC pump to drive it.


(DaStaCo media $119 for 20 Kg)

DaStaco EXT 4 - 60 Kg Media - rated for 1500 g 30 x 18 x 42.
$2949
$360 60 kg for media
peristaltic pump $579.00
Free shipping
$3918.00

EXT9 - 100 Kg Media capacity- backordered 15 days
$3249
560 for 100 Kg Media
peristaltic pump $579.00
free shipping
$4388.00

Deltec - 40 Kg Media capacity - CRTT 10000 "rated for 2600 g"
$3199
$352 for 44 Kg Media
Shipping $263
$3814.00