Calcium reactor question

[jhebi]

Hello All,

I am planninng to jump on the calcium reactor bandwagon. Right now I am dosing with a doser, and I like it no problems on my readings and I see growth. But since I have a lof of SPS frags/growing, I believe a calcium reactor would be better fro the future

My tank is a 100 GALLON.

Which one you would all suggest? And is it easy to install it?

Thanks
Alex

 

[dwest]

Bump

 

[dwest]

I don’t have a calcium reactor (yet ), but have heard good things about geo reactors. Might be a good place to start. Also heard that you’ll want a good pump to pull water through the system (expensive) and that carbon doser regulators usually get the job done. I’ll stop before I butcher this whole thread!

 

[RandyC]

I love Geo calcium reactors and I persoanlly find them easy to install, use and maintain when used with a peristaltic pump. I'd recommend a Geo 612 with a SMC410 secondary reactor.

But I have to ask, if things are working and you're happy with growth and the current solution, why change? 2-part is a perfectly valid solution to supplementing major and even trace elements. For me, I made the switch because I'm a tinkerer at heart and I got sick of mixing bulk 2-part powders and refilling dosing containers.

 

[dwest]

I love Geo calcium reactors and I persoanlly find them easy to install, use and maintain when used with a peristaltic pump. I'd recommend a Geo 612 with a SMC410 secondary reactor.

But I have to ask, if things are working and you're happy with growth and the current solution, why change? 2-part is a perfectly valid solution to supplementing major and even trace elements. For me, I made the switch because I'm a tinkerer at heart and I got sick of mixing bulk 2-part powders and refilling dosing containers.

Hijacking here... @RandyC what peristaltic pump do you use?

 

[RandyC]

I don’t have a calcium reactor (yet ), but have heard good things about geo reactors. Might be a good place to start. Also heard that you’ll want a good pump to pull water through the system (expensive) and that carbon doser regulators usually get the job done. I’ll stop before I butcher this whole thread!

They can be expensive. I have two carx setup and use a masterflex 7523-80 and a 7522-20. Yes, they’re expensive, but they’re built like tanks and I have yet to have any problems with them. That being said, there are plenty of peristalic pumps out there for less than $300. Older masterflex models or even the Kaomer pump (ive heard good things about them, though i have yet to use one).

 

[Hemmdog]

I’m looking at this one for my future build. It’s rated for 500 gals but you don’t need to fill it completely with crushed coral. The smaller version only has 1 stage; there is a nano version for 100 gals specifically but I’m not sure how well they preform. My link I’ve heard is great.
https://www.aquacave.com/calcium-re...-reef-creations-mrc-cr-2-calcium-reactor.html

 

[jhebi]

I love Geo calcium reactors and I persoanlly find them easy to install, use and maintain when used with a peristaltic pump. I'd recommend a Geo 612 with a SMC410 secondary reactor.

But I have to ask, if things are working and you're happy with growth and the current solution, why change? 2-part is a perfectly valid solution to supplementing major and even trace elements. For me, I made the switch because I'm a tinkerer at heart and I got sick of mixing bulk 2-part powders and refilling dosing containers.

Due to cost on the long run. right now since i have frags growing, the doser can keep up. But later when they become colonies, they will drain more calcium and if i keep dosing 2 part, will get expensive.

 

[jhebi]

I’m looking at this one for my future build. It’s rated for 500 gals but you don’t need to fill it completely with crushed coral. The smaller version only has 1 stage; there is a nano version for 100 gals specifically but I’m not sure how well they preform. My link I’ve heard is great.
https://www.aquacave.com/calcium-re...-reef-creations-mrc-cr-2-calcium-reactor.html

Thanks will look into it.

 

[Hemmdog]

Thanks will look into it.

If you have a large budget
This is “the best” or so I’ve heard. Little above my pay grade.
https://uniquecorals.com/products/d...-calcium-reactor-in-stock?variant=53015847443

 

[RandyC]

Due to cost on the long run. right now since i have frags growing, the doser can keep up. But later when they become colonies, they will drain more calcium and if i keep dosing 2 part, will get expensive.

Depending on the equipment you choose, you'll be surprised how long you can use 2-part for before breaking even in the up front cost of a calcium reactor setup. It is not uncommon for carx setups to cost > $1000.

 

[lapin]

I like my Geo. I dont use a peristaltic pump because I cant afford a good one.

 

[rkpetersen]

Depending on the equipment you choose, you'll be surprised how long you can use 2-part for before breaking even in the up front cost of a calcium reactor setup. It is not uncommon for carx setups to cost > $1000.

Just did the maths, and for me, dosing over 110 ml each of B-Ionic 1 & 2 per day, it would be around 3 years before I recouped the cost of switching to a $1000 calcium reactor setup.
Assuming I wouldn't need to increase my 2 part dosing during that time, which I might.
And also assuming no ongoing costs of using a calcium reactor, which there are.

I'd still do it though if I had the room. What better to grow coral skeleton than dissolved coral skeleton?

 

[ca1ore]

Calcium reactor bandwagon? ..... they’ve been around for over 20 years LOL. Probably only cost effective for really large calcifier-heavy tanks. Easy to spend a grand for a really good setup.