Calcium reactor help choosing

ncfishguy · Apr 6, 2019

I have a 90 gallon mixed reef like to get a calcium reactor what size would be good fit and reliable

Potatohead · Apr 6, 2019

The small GEO. 612 I think?

GoVols · Apr 6, 2019

Been running this main stage
https://www.geosreef.com/product/geo-cr612-calcium-reactor/

With this secondary chamber
https://www.geosreef.com/product/smc415/

For... about and year and a half and love the setup...

Shoot @geo a pm and let them hook you up.

Darrick Dutcher · Apr 6, 2019

I have a larger system but I highly recommend a GEO system. I set mine and I don't have to look at it for 6 months. Amazing growth on SPS with minimal dosing

kles · Apr 6, 2019

Lifereef simple and been around years used one for many years and still going . Customer service is great .

Bpb · Apr 6, 2019

I love my geo reactor. MTC is no longer building but those are great too. I have friends who love their lifereef ones. The reactors are all pretty similar. It’s the regulator and feed pump method that really make or break the reactor

ca1ore · Apr 7, 2019

Hard to beat the MTC models .... but you have to find them second hand since the company is no longer doing business. My ProCal is almost 20 years old. Lifereef would be my second choice followed by geo.

RandyC · Apr 7, 2019

Geo's are great. Built like tanks and made to last. Calcium reactors don't really have size limitations, the size of the reactor just really determines how often you have to add new media. I'd also recommend getting a secondary reactor to help raise the pH before the effluent enters your tank.

The Geo 612 paired with the Geo SMC410 (secondary reactor) will serve you well. If space is a concern, I've also run the Geo Nano with a SMC410 on a 90 gallon tank.

mnml · May 30, 2019

RandyC said:
Geo's are great. Built like tanks and made to last. Calcium reactors don't really have size limitations, the size of the reactor just really determines how often you have to add new media. I'd also recommend getting a secondary reactor to help raise the pH before the effluent enters your tank.

The Geo 612 paired with the Geo SMC410 (secondary reactor) will serve you well. If space is a concern, I've also run the Geo Nano with a SMC410 on a 90 gallon tank.

What do you run in the 2nd media reactor to help raise ph? I currently have a kalk stirrer from Avast Marine and am looking to add a GEO 612 soon.

RandyC · May 30, 2019

mnml said:
What do you run in the 2nd media reactor to help raise ph? I currently have a kalk stirrer from Avast Marine and am looking to add a GEO 612 soon.

Just more reactor media (Reborn) and Remag. pH will increase with more contact time with media as it dissolves it.

mnml · May 30, 2019

RandyC said:
Just more reactor media (Reborn) and Remag. pH will increase with more contact time with media as it dissolves it.

Thanks Randy. Still doing a lot of reading on setting up a CaRx so your feedback is appreciate.

Maacc · May 30, 2019

GoVols said:
Been running this main stage
https://www.geosreef.com/product/geo-cr612-calcium-reactor/

With this secondary chamber
https://www.geosreef.com/product/smc415/

For... about and year and a half and love the setup...

Shoot @geo a pm and let them hook you up.

I have the same set up on my 187 and recommend it without reservation.

Reefiness · May 31, 2019

I've been looking into getting a calcium reactor as well being that I currently dose about 250ml of each 2 part. I like the idea of 2 Chambers to raise pH and have been considering the dual reef octo ones. Also I really like the octo varios pumps so also considering that one but unfortunately it doesn't come with an option for varios and 2 Chambers. Anyone have experience with the octo reactors?

jda · May 31, 2019

Most people recommend what they have. They just recirculate water. Get a quality brand with a quality pump and you will be more than OK. A CaRx is not a high tech piece of equipment. IMO, the regulator is more important than the water circulation chamber (reactor).

I have used GEO, Knopp, Korallin, MTC, AquaMaxx, k2r and probably more. I am using two Korallin and a AquaMaxx that I won at a raffle, currently. They each have things that I love and hate. I love how the Korallin traps excess co2 in the top to help me tune. The AquaMaxx has a chamber for filter floss to keep debris out of the CaRx, but does not trap co2, so I run it tipped on it's side a bit during tuning time.

I used to be a huge fan of reverse flow, but that is not a huge deal anymore with the larger media that should not get compacted. I do like a good reliable pump that can handle some small particles - ehiem excels at this.

Reborn or ARM work the same for me... or any natural media. I use 50lb sack every 6-7 months, so I just buy what is on sale between ARM large or Reborn. Dolomite can help supply extra magnesium. Man-Made reactor media is just calcium and carbonate (no mag, strontium or other traces) and takes more co2 to dissolve, so I avoid it.