Calcium Reactor Regulator/Solenoid Recommendations

[akopley]

I have done some searching, but I was unable to find an article from 2018 on what regulator/solenoid combo is the most trusted and price friendly.

My system:

240 gallon mixed reef
APEX Classic
Large Fuge
40 watt UV
MRC ORCA PRO II Skimmer

Adding: MRC Dual Chamber Calcium Reactor and Large Nilson Reactor

I have never had a calcium or nilson reactor before and am looking for advice.

Specifically what regulator is the one to go with these days. Any other tips for first time calcium reactor users is also appreciated like what size tank etc. anything i might be missing being a newbie.

On the Nilson i plan to run it inline with my TUnze Osmolator and have the apex cut it off if ph gets too high.

 

[akopley]

I have been doing a 20% water change every other month, but i want better growth out of my SPS and LPS. As you can see the softies have really taken off.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

Ive had stunning results with an AquaticLife reg, but not sure if you could find one.

 

[akopley]

Ive had stunning results with an AquaticLife reg, but not sure if you could find one.

What was the price point? I don’t want to skimp but not trying to spend $350+.

Edit:20% monthly water changes not every other month.

 

[ca1ore]

It seems that the most popular choice these days is the carbon doser from aquarium plants at $330. Looks nice, but I've not ever used it because the $80 Milwaukee regulator that I won in a contest (ironically, also from aquarium plants) more than 15 years ago is still going strong. I will likely replace it proactively in the near future ..... with the same one again.

 

[jda]

There are lots of them that will work out OK. I am currently running a Tunze and M3 which are decade-plus of functioning. I also have an aquarium plants box on a Victor Dual Stage that was MUCH more expensive - I am sure that it is better, but I would not pay this much again. Most of them are very similar. I have use AquaTek and Milwaukee before with good success and probably still have them in my parts closet.

Just a regular regulator with an after market precision needle valve will get the job done quite well - the big gripe about most regulators is that the needle valve is too touchy, which is mostly true. You can find some posts if you search for DIY regulator.

Get a good check valve - most of them will last a long time if you keep saltwater out of them, but also die a short death if they get rusty.

If I was buying new right now, I would probably get a Tunze or a Milwaukee... and a good check valve.

FWIW - the CarbonDoser box is really nice, but the regulator is not any better than what else is out there.

 

[akopley]

There are lots of them that will work out OK. I am currently running a Tunze and M3 which are decade-plus of functioning. I also have an aquarium plants box on a Victor Dual Stage that was MUCH more expensive - I am sure that it is better, but I would not pay this much again. Most of them are very similar. I have use AquaTek and Milwaukee before with good success and probably still have them in my parts closet.

Just a regular regulator with an after market precision needle valve will get the job done quite well - the big gripe about most regulators is that the needle valve is too touchy, which is mostly true. You can find some posts if you search for DIY regulator.

Get a good check valve - most of them will last a long time if you keep saltwater out of them, but also die a short death if they get rusty.

If I was buying new right now, I would probably get a Tunze or a Milwaukee... and a good check valve.

FWIW - the CarbonDoser box is really nice, but the regulator is not any better than what else is out there.

This is a perfect reply. Thank you so much.

 

[akopley]

It seems that the most popular choice these days is the carbon doser from aquarium plants at $330. Looks nice, but I've not ever used it because the $80 Milwaukee regulator that I won in a contest (ironically, also from aquarium plants) more than 15 years ago is still going strong. I will likely replace it proactively in the near future ..... with the same one again.

Which model?

 

[jda]

FYI - Hoke 1300 is a popular and available precision low-flow needle valve.

 

[akopley]

FYI - Hoke 1300 is a popular and available precision low-flow needle valve.

Have you used it?

 

[jda]

Nope. I have two in the box that I am going to put onto the Tunze and M3 "one day." I am still using the valve that came with each of them... they are reliable, but tricky to set where 1/100th of a turn can make the difference between 10 and 60 bubbles, so you have to be really precise with it.

 

[ca1ore]

Which model?

Did you check their website. Other than the carbon doser I think it's the only one they sell. The whole notion of CO2 'dumping' is highly overblown if one understands how a CO2 cylinder actually works.

 

[akopley]

Did you check their website. Other than the carbon doser I think it's the only one they sell. The whole notion of CO2 'dumping' is highly overblown if one understands how a CO2 cylinder actually works.

I meant the Milwaukee

 

[ca1ore]

Yes, I know - check the aquarium plants website