Calcium reactor

[datboichucky]

Looking to ditch my doser and go calcium reactor any good feedback would be great. Currently have a 120 sps dominant tank 40 plus frags plus some nice size colonies. Looking for a great reactor that will not make me go bankrupt lol

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looking to ditch my doser and go calcium reactor any good feedback would be great. Currently have a 120 sps dominant tank 40 plus frags plus some nice size colonies. Looking for a great reactor that will not make me go bankrupt lol

Most of the good ones will cost you but save you a lot on dosing costs. Good ones are Geo, vertex and koralin

 

[HawaiianReef]

The reactor is just the reactor. You need a few other bits to get it going too. A co2 tank, co2 regulator, ph controller, and a parasitic pump. The pump seems optional, as a lot of guys still dose without one. Same as the ph controller, but that has gone more towards the mainstream of keeping your reactor stable.

Any of the mentioned reactors are great; Korallin, Vertex, Geo. There's a few more great ones, but these are the most popular in my opinion.

Also, size. You cannot over size a calcium reactor because you can control how the media devolves. So if you go big, say rated for 600g, you would adjust to a higher ph with the co2. The benefits of this is just not having to keep replenishing the media, since there will be more of it in a larger reactor.

 

[MrWheelock]

I have a 75 gallon that I'm looking to go sps in. I got a geo 612, a kaomer peri pump, a regulator,Y and a Co2 tank. Yes its pricey but like others said it will outweigh the cost of dosing.

 

[datboichucky]

Any good reviews on the aquamaxx t1? I was looking into that one as well as the korallin

 

[datboichucky]

The reactor is just the reactor. You need a few other bits to get it going too. A co2 tank, co2 regulator, ph controller, and a parasitic pump. The pump seems optional, as a lot of guys still dose without one. Same as the ph controller, but that has gone more towards the mainstream of keeping your reactor stable.

Any of the mentioned reactors are great; Korallin, Vertex, Geo. There's a few more great ones, but these are the most popular in my opinion.

Also, size. You cannot over size a calcium reactor because you can control how the media devolves. So if you go big, say rated for 600g, you would adjust to a higher ph with the co2. The benefits of this is just not having to keep replenishing the media, since there will be more of it in a larger reactor.

Yes I was looking into the aquamaxx t1, 5 pound co2, Milwaukee regulator along with the Milwaukee ph controller

 

[datboichucky]

My major thing is reducing alk spikes no matter how hard I try messing with the doser it’s always going 8.4-8.7

 

[HawaiianReef]

I haven't used the Aquamaxx, but they look very well built. I do have an older Vertex and a Korallin. The korallin is built solid. The top looks like Commercial plumbing flanges, lol. Korallin doesn't use a 2nd chamber, but they do well with the way it's designed, the pump is on top. So if space is an issue, you could consider those. Keep in mind, you can always add another chamber to any of them.

 

[HawaiianReef]

Yes I was looking into the aquamaxx t1, 5 pound co2, Milwaukee regulator along with the Milwaukee ph controller

I think that would be a solid set up

 

[HawaiianReef]

Co doses are nice.. like Really nice. The dial is very smooth

 

[Yanos]

Best reactor ever, Dastaco

 

[datboichucky]

I haven't used the Aquamaxx, but they look very well built. I do have an older Vertex and a Korallin. The korallin is built solid. The top looks like Commercial plumbing flanges, lol. Korallin doesn't use a 2nd chamber, but they do well with the way it's designed, the pump is on top. So if space is an issue, you could consider those. Keep in mind, you can always add another chamber to any of them.

Hmmmm decisions decisions. I’m just tired of these swings I need something that’s going to stay consistent

 

[HawaiianReef]

The regulator is what makes the most difference in a ca reactor system.
The carbon dose is the smooth one I tried to mention (sorry, it's late for me)
But the tunze is good and will get it done.
They both have solenoids that is required.

CarbonDoser Electronic CO2 Regulator

Why Does BRS Recommend This? This is the most reliable CO2 regulator on the market that we could find. Instead of traditional needle valves controlling the flow rate, the CarbonDoser® uses an electric solenoid that will open and close within a fraction of a second producing a single bubble...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

CO2 Regulator and Solenoid Kit 7077.400

Precision Control for Calcium Reactor CO2 Systems Keep the CO2 flowing into your calcium reactor with the Tunze Regulator and Solenoid Kit. We have searched for a reliable and low-cost CO2 regulator and solenoid and found the Tunze combo gave the best results. Tunze CO2 Regulators Cylinders...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[HawaiianReef]

Are the Destaco available in the US?
Here's info if anyone is curious:

DaStaco XtremA Model A-2 Calcium Reactor

Price includes shipping. Takes 9kg of media. Please follow specific instructions included with reactor on chamber filling heights. The DaStaCo reactor is a state of the art fully automated Calcium and Alkalinity Reactor for SPS dominant reef aquariums where a consistent, heavy, and reliable...

uniquecorals.com

And a dedicated R2R thread:

DaStaCo Classic Calcium

Tell me more.............. who has used one or in use?? The DaStaCo calcium reactor is a fully atomized system and is the most user friendly system on the market today. The de-aeration of the calcium reactor at regular intervals can be automised by means of an external digital time-clock of...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DEWreefing]

My calcium reactor for my 220 cost me around 250 bucks for everything pm me if you want my build list of items.

 

[Acrofiend]

I’m running the aquamax t1. I don’t have anything to compare it to but it works. I wouldn’t cheap out on the regulator though. For the controller I’d go with a used or new apex jr. with a pm1 module. Almost the same price as a Milwaukee controller but you get a lot of other benefits.

 

[datboichucky]

I’m running the aquamax t1. I don’t have anything to compare it to but it works. I wouldn’t cheap out on the regulator though. For the controller I’d go with a used or new apex jr. with a pm1 module. Almost the same price as a Milwaukee controller but you get a lot of other benefits.

Milwaukee ph controller is $189

 

[AZMSGT]

Don’t buy a CO2 tank on the internet. Just get one from the local gas store that refills CO2. Much cheaper. Most of the time you’ll be swapping it anyway. Allot of places won’t fill a tank while you wait.

 

[datboichucky]

Don’t buy a CO2 tank on the internet. Just get one from the local gas store that refills CO2. Much cheaper. Most of the time you’ll be swapping it anyway. Allot of places won’t fill a tank while you wait.

They’ll have 5 pound tanks? I know I could go to any place that fills paint ball tanks right?

 

[acropora4u]

Most of the good ones will cost you but save you a lot on dosing costs. Good ones are Geo, vertex and koralin

+1