calcium reactor which brand to choose

[jose hernandez]

so i posted on when it is a good time to go with a caclium reactor my next question is which would be a good choice sinlge or dual carbon and what else should i get as far as equipment ive been researching alot but still dont know anything seems complicated dosing seems to be the much easier way but my system is 200 gallons will cost more down the road

 

[solitude127]

A good regulator and a good feed pump is just as important as the reactor itself. That said, I'm running an Aquamaxx T1 reactor, a custom built 2 stage regulator and a Kamoer feed pump. I've been getting really consistent results with this setup. Originally, I was using a Sicce 0.5 pump to feed and was getting inconsistent feed rates.

 

[SPR1968]

Deltec Twin Tech 1500, it’s fully automated and very simple to use.

But it’s expensive compared with some others

 

[jose hernandez]

do i still need the carbon doser i see most have that on theirs

 

[acropora4u]

here is my geo set up

 

[jose hernandez]

WHAT SIZE TANK DO YOU HAVE? DO I NEED A SECONDARY CHAMBER AS WELL?

 

[X-37B]

Tunze 3172 and a quality 2 stage.
No feed pump needed. No ph or controller needed. Just adjust bubbles and effluent for a simple carx setup.
Mine has been running for 5 months and is extremely stable.
Mine is the 3171 on my 120.
I use Tunze media and this is how much I have used in 5 months since startup.

 

[X-37B]

WHAT SIZE TANK DO YOU HAVE? DO I NEED A SECONDARY CHAMBER AS WELL?

No

 

[acropora4u]

mine is a 225 gallon... i just use it to soak up excess co2... it is not neccesary to have a 2nd chamber though

 

[X-37B]

If you tune your carx correctly you do not need a second chamber.

 

[jose hernandez]

i thought having a secondary chamber helped with the ph in my home ive always had ph problems so i have a co2 scrubber added to the skimmer to help with the low ph i do not have a refugium in my set up

 

[svogun]

I love my Dastaco. Fully automated

 

[Hydrored]

I love my Dastaco. Fully automated

I'm looking hard at this one, having to also fit a converter kind of makes me lean towards the Deltec Twin Tech. The converter is also another point of failure

 

[blstravler]

I use an Aquamaxx T1 as well and have been really happy with it. I also got a broken T1 from a fellow reefer and made it into a second chamber. Though I don’t really need it - I’ve been thinking about taking it off line. I use a Versa for the feed pump and use a custom built dual stage regulator. I think the regulator is one of the most important pieces in the equation and something you don’t want to go cheap on. With that said people sell full used set ups all the time and you can get some great deals.

 

[ca1ore]

If you tune your carx correctly you do not need a second chamber.

Not 'need' perhaps, but a nice to have. The media in my secondary doesn't deplete fast but it does deplete, suggesting that without it there would be some carbonic acid potential wasted. You might say, well that's because yours is not properly tuned … and that may be the case. Trouble is that CaRx tuning isn't an exact science and a second chamber adds s bit of 'insurance'. Plus it looks better …..

 

[jose hernandez]

so whats the difference with the deltec twin tech 1500 and the dastaco? would i need any other equipment besides the co2 tank nd media?

 

[X-37B]

Not 'need' perhaps, but a nice to have. The media in my secondary doesn't deplete fast but it does deplete, suggesting that without it there would be some carbonic acid potential wasted. You might say, well that's because yours is not properly tuned … and that may be the case. Trouble is that CaRx tuning isn't an exact science and a second chamber adds s bit of 'insurance'. Plus it looks better …..

I drip my effuent into a 10"x2" tube filled with coral bones. I had them laying around so cant hurt and they do dissolve but not very fast. My effluent ph is 6.7.

 

[svogun]

so whats the difference with the deltec twin tech 1500 and the dastaco? would i need any other equipment besides the co2 tank nd media?

Not for the Dastaco