I am in need of a calcium reactor right now and want to know what you all use or would recommend. looking for reliability and stability. let me know guys , thanks and happy reefing :bigsmile:
Calcium Reactor suggestions ??
- Thread starter nater
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I have a Geo I got used over a year ago. You have to get a PH controller. It makes it very easy to run one. The PH in the reactor has to be around 6.7-6.5 or so to dissolve the media in the reactor. The controller monitors the PH in the reactor and controls the CO2 flow into the reactor. When the PH rises it opens the solenoid and allows more in and when it drops too low it closes it. If the PH is too low the media can turn to mush and that's no good.
livingstone
Dan
Not to hi-jack (I've absolutely no recommendations or experience with calcium reactors) but I'd really like to throw Austin Oceans' offering into the mix just so I could see any reactions (no pun intended). It looks pretty good to me and I have their kalk stirrer which has so far proven to be a reliable product.
110reef
Active Member
I run a Reef Octopus reactor with a pinpoint pH controller. Works very well. My only problem is that I let the water feed get pulled in using the reactor circulation pump, and then control the effluent flow with a small needle valve. The needle valve clogs easily and I lose the flow every day or two. So getting stability is difficult. Probably using a separate feed pump would solve this, but I haven't tried that yet.
OP
OP
all good info , anyone use a korallin ? my reason is for statement that it will save me on co2 consumption. figure the price is fair in a sense. i already have a co2 tank i acquired. just need the reactor and co2 regulators. it also says you really don't need a ph controller and that just a monitor would probably do. anyone use or ever use one?
foxhuntr
Valuable Member
i run the new Vortex calcium reactor....... ran it for about 5 months now with-out a problem....... i had a Koralin before that and had to constantly burp it and adjust it.....i dont think you can go wrong with the Vortex.....JMO
oh, you want a co2 controller. a monitor will help but will not keep your pH from dipping too low if the co2 rate is too high. a controller will save your reef.
if you want a ca reactor, get all the [necessary] bells and whistles. it's a great piece of equipment in the right hands. otherwise, stick to 2 part -you can do a lot with dosing pumps
if you want a ca reactor, get all the [necessary] bells and whistles. it's a great piece of equipment in the right hands. otherwise, stick to 2 part -you can do a lot with dosing pumps
+1
list of stuff you'll need to do it right:
- reactor unit itself
- co2 guage/regulator/solenoid
- calcium media (x2 for dual chamber units)
- zeomag (highly recommended...mix it in w/ the media in 1st chamber)
- co2 tank (usually rent these locally)
- ph controller
- feed pump
to do it right, if you buy everything brand new, you can easily have $1k+ into it.
list of stuff you'll need to do it right:
- reactor unit itself
- co2 guage/regulator/solenoid
- calcium media (x2 for dual chamber units)
- zeomag (highly recommended...mix it in w/ the media in 1st chamber)
- co2 tank (usually rent these locally)
- ph controller
- feed pump
to do it right, if you buy everything brand new, you can easily have $1k+ into it.
benny z is on the money.
also, if you choose to run zeomag, it will require a lower pH than the media itself (6.2-6.3). if you run the zeo, make sure to get the extra large reactor media or it'll all melt at the lower pH
also, if you choose to run zeomag, it will require a lower pH than the media itself (6.2-6.3). if you run the zeo, make sure to get the extra large reactor media or it'll all melt at the lower pH
wow - i have never heard that about the lower ph for the zeomag... i've always used it with arm coarse media with a strict ph range of 6.66-6.71. i have noted that there is always some zeomag left after the media is expired, but the bulk of it is usually used up. should i try a lower ph? i really hate to fiddle with it, as i've found the perfect ph / flow balance to keep my system at a rock solid 9-9.5 dkh.
here's some links. i could have sworn there were more of them that were on point but i can't locate them
Questions about Zeomag for your SPS tank - Reef Central Online Community
Parimeters during installation of a CA reactor : General Reefkeeping Discussion
Questions about Zeomag for your SPS tank - Reef Central Online Community
Parimeters during installation of a CA reactor : General Reefkeeping Discussion
OP
OP
thanks for all the reply , i am going to keep watching this post , and read up on some more info at this point. i think the feedback on the korallin is more on the negative side at this point. i will be asking my lfs for help as well.
110reef
Active Member
Benny z or anybody - what feed pump do you recommend?
