Calcium reactor or 2 parts

[yepreef]

Hi guys,
I need your all help on deciding between those 2 method in terms of costs, control and flexibility.
I will set up a 120G sps dominant tanks and also another factor is that i will be away of the tank for 3 weeks every years not sure which one give me more control flexibility when im away.
Thanks

 

[Reeferdood]

2 part with an apex if you plan on traveling. The reason I choose to go this way is because I have someone that tests my water every week and if parameters are out of whack I can adjust the DOS on the fly from anywhere in the world. Tweaking a calcium reactor is not quite as simple by anyone else but you, they are all different. In the long run the 2 part will cost a little more but the flexibility outweighs everything else...
My .02

 

[lapin]

Reactor = stability for alk, cal, and mag.
Once its dialed it its good for a long while. If ya go with a peristaltic pump hooked to it you dont even have to check the drip rate for months.

 

[Reeferdood]

Reactor = stability for alk, cal, and mag.
Once its dialed it its good for a long while. If ya go with a peristaltic pump hooked to it you dont even have to check the drip rate for months.

Sorry bud but I 100% disagree with this. SPS systems constantly change their demands based on growth rates, would you trust anyone to make adjustments to a calcium reactor while you are away?? I really hope not.

 

[lapin]

Sorry bud but I 100% disagree with this. SPS systems constantly change their demands based on growth rates, would you trust anyone to make adjustments to a calcium reactor while you are away?? I really hope not.

Nope Its not like in 3 weeks my tank is going to change that much that someone will need to make adjustments.

 

[yepreef]

I never run Cal reactor before so i dont know if its give you the flexibility to control while you away but i hear that it will save you in long run, but for how much approx a month, lets say 100ml a day ? i dont mind to pay extra few bucks a months to run 2 parts lol. Can anyone expert on this to calculate for me?

I currently have 40g sps tank and consume 30ml a day.

 

[Reeferdood]

Nope Its not like in 3 weeks my tank is going to change that much that someone will need to make adjustments.

Calcium reactors are not meant for travelers, been there and done that... Eventually I learned.
But cool, you seem to have it all figured out.

 

[hatfielj]

Nah, I travel a lot and calcium reactors are just as easy to deal with IMO. I just got back from 2 1/2 weeks in Germany with my tank running a Calcium reactor. Parameters stayed rock solid the whole time and are still solid 2 weeks later with zero adjustments. They are so easy once dialed in. However, the real advantage to Ca reactors in my opinion is the fact they replenish all of the elements a coral naturally uses including all the trace elements, not just 2 part. They are so easy to use once dialed in as long as they are appropriately sized.
Two part works fine on smaller tanks, but you have to be mindful of trace elements. If I were running a smaller tank I would probably still use two part, but larger systems, especially SPS dominant, calcium reactors are definitely the only way to go.

 

[Reeferdood]

Just like everything in this hobby, opinions will vary. I had an issue where I nuked my entire system while I was away using a calcium reactor. The probe failed and I began to dose super concentrated effluent. It killed every coral I owned.
I understand nothing is foolproof but I am now choosing to use Dos and Apex.. I like being able to make tweaks while away. I would never trust anyone to mess with the Reactor.
They both work great but 2 part is my choice.

 

[ZoWhat]

How about doing a 20% weekly WC using s great salt as your best form of dosing?

 

[Reeferdood]

The poster was concerned about being away and what the options were..
On small systems water changes might suffice but bigger systems need to supplied with the proper elements in order to survive in the long run..
Not to mention 20% water changes can be costly for larger systems.. Even doing that weekly, the system would not be very stable with full blown SPS corals..

 

[ZoWhat]

Everyone wants a million dollar looking tank at a Sam's Club price.

For the 3 weeks the OP is gone, hire a LFS to come service the tank with 3 WCs.

If you're going run with the big dogs in a very expensive hobby, you need to be in a position to shell out some "bank".

You won't find many BMW/Audi/Porsche car owners buying $89 tires at Sam's Club.

Just sayin'