Calcium reactor or dosing

[Khanh]

Dear reefers,

I’m using calcium reactor but now I want to switching to dosing 2-part additives

• Do you think dosing 2-part additives method is simpler than calcium reactor?
• If so, please show me what additives I should use, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate?

Thanks so much

 

[Hemmdog]

I like esv b-ionic 2-Part
If I had a tank bigger than my 90g I would go with a Calcium reactor.

 

[JMetaxas]

Dear reefers,

I’m using calcium reactor but now I want to switching to dosing 2-part additives

• Do you think dosing 2-part additives method is simpler than calcium reactor?
• If so, please show me what additives I should use, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate?

Thanks so much

Why do you want to switch?

 

[Khanh]

Why do you want to switch?

My PH controller is getting mad and reefers told me should exchange PH electrode every year, that’s why I want to switch.

Can I run calcium reactor without PH controller?

 

[Stoneys'Reef]

We have a Super expensive Calcium Reactor with a co2 tank and we have never ran it more than a month or 2. Never could get it correct. Gonna remove it and sell it when we set up our new Tank. All for Reef grows corals really nice if you are looking for something easy to dose. Just have to get your levels correct before you start dosing and you are off.

 

[Miller535]

Dear reefers,

I’m using calcium reactor but now I want to switching to dosing 2-part additives

• Do you think dosing 2-part additives method is simpler than calcium reactor?
• If so, please show me what additives I should use, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate?

Thanks so much

I dos 2 part, using the neptune DOS. It is literally as simple as can be. I dos BRS 2 part, soda ash and calcium chloride. The soda ash is nice when dosed because it helps keep PH up. Once you figure out your dosage it's kind of a set it and forget it kind of thing. I check my alk and calcium on saturdays just to check in on it though.

 

[Kfactor]

I thought calcium reactors are the best too have ? I’m saving up for one for my new build lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Dear reefers,

I’m using calcium reactor but now I want to switching to dosing 2-part additives

• Do you think dosing 2-part additives method is simpler than calcium reactor?
• If so, please show me what additives I should use, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate?

Thanks so much

I'm not sure which is "easier", but a two part gives you more control over dosing times and pH.

What is best to use depends on the circumstances.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I thought calcium reactors are the best too have ? I’m saving up for one for my new build lol

Some folks think so, but I personally do not think they are "best". But they certainly can work well and may be cheaper for a very large tank.

 

[x2uranium]

I’ve had (used) both.. for me calcium reactor all the way. I have bigger tanks as well. Each has its pros and cons. Less work for me with my carx

 

[Khanh]

I'm not sure which is "easier", but a two part gives you more control over dosing times and pH.

What is best to use depends on the circumstances.

Thanks

Could you please tell me what additive is better, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate?

Both will supply alkalinity and calcium?

 

[trido]

For a large SPS dominant tank a calcium reactor is far easier. For an LPS tank that doesn't consume so much alkalinity a dosing pump for two part has much less of a learning curve. For me, I don't want to deal with making two part weekly or monthly so the calcium reactor is the way to go. I only monitor it and mess with it a couple times a year. As far as replacing the probe annually, that is not necessarily true. A quality probe can last several years. If you travel then dosing pumps are probably not good either becasue the chances of you forgetting to top them off.

 

[trido]

Thanks

Could you please tell me what additive is better, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate?

Both will supply alkaline and calcium?

That also depends. Soda ash will raise your pH. Bicarbonate will lower it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks

Could you please tell me what additive is better, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate?

Both will supply alkaline and calcium?

Neither is "better". I give DIY recipes using each. Sodium carbonate raises pH. Sodium bicarbonate does not. More people benefit from the high pH than not, but some folks will not.

 

[Khanh]

For a large SPS dominant tank a calcium reactor is far easier. For an LPS tank that doesn't consume so much alkalinity a dosing pump for two part has much less of a learning curve. For me, I don't want to deal with making two part weekly or monthly so the calcium reactor is the way to go. I only monitor it and mess with it a couple times a year. As far as replacing the probe annually, that is not necessarily true. A quality probe can last several years. If you travel then dosing pumps are probably not good either becasue the chances of you forgetting to top them off.

Thanks for your input

What PH controller are you using? How long do you calibrate?

 

[Khanh]

Neither is "better". I give DIY recipes using each. Sodium carbonate raises pH. Sodium bicarbonate does not. More people benefit from the high pH than not, but some folks will not.

These additives supply both alkalinity and calcium or we need calcium cloride separately?

 

[trido]

Thanks for your input

What PH controller are you using? How long do you calibrate?

For the last few years I have been using my Apex to control my CO2 input in the reactor. For many years, I used the Milwaukee pH controller. With a decent regulator, and a controller you can set it up and almost walk away. A steady broken stream for a drip rate, a medium steady bubble count, and then use the regulator to keep your pH where it needs to be. It really doesnt have to be a whole lot more complicated than that.

 

[trido]

As far as calibration, I calibrate all my probes every three months. I have a very extensive system and certain things I treat like a job. It only takes a few minutes to calibrate each probe.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

These additives supply both alkalinity and calcium or we need calcium cloride separately?

Alkalinity only.

I'd suggest reading one of these:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

There is no aspect of reef aquarium chemistry more important than calcium and alkalinity. Many of my previous articles have described various aspects of these systems in detail. In reading those articles, aquarists will note one pervasive theme: that maintaining appropriate levels of each are...

www.reefedition.com

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[Khanh]

As far as calibration, I calibrate all my probes every three months. I have a very extensive system and certain things I treat like a job. It only takes a few minutes to calibrate each probe.

Milwaukee is a good choice?