Calcium Reactor - Really worth it?

[Zachywack]

I have not had issues with calcium in my tank, however many reefers use one as an essential. Why should I add one to my build?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I have not had issues with calcium in my tank, however many reefers use one as an essential. Why should I add one to my build?

As your tank gets older and you put more corals in tank and as they start to grow your alk and cal will start to be used by the corals. At this point when cal and all start to drop it will need to be replenished back into the tank. There is few ways this can be done. First by water changes second by 2 part dosing third is by a calcium reactor. There may be more ways but these 3 are most common. Now with that being said it’s all about how much you need to add back to tank as to which method to use. Most people with small reefs and not to many corals can get away with water changes to replenish cal and alk. But when demand starts to get larger this is when daily cal and alk is being consumed faster then water changes could put back in this is when dosing would be started. Or even cal reactor for even larger demand. So long story short do you need a calcium reactor no probably not. Do you need some kind of 2 part to bring your cal and alk up to proper numbers this is more then likely the case. But if you have small reef with very little coral then water changes weekly or bi weekly will work

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Have you tested your alkalinity and calcium ? What are the numbers? And how large is tank and how stocked is it ?

 

[DeniseAndy]

As stated above, is it required? Absolutely not. However, just like filtration method, you have to find a method to replenish used trace elements. That method can very a lot by reef keeper, budget, maintenance, animals, demands of tank and time, etc.

 

[Zachywack]

As your tank gets older and you put more corals in tank and as they start to grow your alk and cal will start to be used by the corals. At this point when cal and all start to drop it will need to be replenished back into the tank. There is few ways this can be done. First by water changes second by 2 part dosing third is by a calcium reactor. There may be more ways but these 3 are most common. Now with that being said it’s all about how much you need to add back to tank as to which method to use. Most people with small reefs and not to many corals can get away with water changes to replenish cal and alk. But when demand starts to get larger this is when daily cal and alk is being consumed faster then water changes could put back in this is when dosing would be started. Or even cal reactor for even larger demand. So long story short do you need a calcium reactor no probably not. Do you need some kind of 2 part to bring your cal and alk up to proper numbers this is more then likely the case. But if you have small reef with very little coral then water changes weekly or bi weekly will work

You answered my question perfectly - As I do currently have to do a two part dosing system at least every two days to keep Params correct. I have a lot of room for coral so I’m assuming the reactor will be the next step once dosing manually is no longer working as effectively as it should be.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

You answered my question perfectly - As I do currently have to do a two part dosing system at least every two days to keep Params correct. I have a lot of room for coral so I’m assuming the reactor will be the next step once dosing manually is no longer working as effectively as it should be.

Yes or when the amount you are adding becomes a large number that using reactor becomes more efficient

 

[((FORDTECH))]

at this time I dose 60ml of each cal and alk a day With auto dosers and still see no need to use reactor