CALCIUM REACTORS, WHICH IS BETTER?

[SPR1968]

@SPR1968 has a Deltec that I think he is in love with and maybe he'll tell you about it!

I have the Deltec Twin Tech 1500 and its a delight to use, very simple, fully automatic, but its all expensive unfortunately

If you want to know anything else just let me know, and theres some videos etc on my build thread if you want to see it in action

 

[sawdonkey]

Hey donkey,

How Long have you been using Tunze?
Have you used any other CaLcium Reactors in the past?
Have you contacted Tunze in regards to the issues you experience?
You running it in Sump or out?

Sounds like the intake to the pump could be getting clogged?
Or the unit could really be crap?!

I’ve never had a Tunze product that didn’t work well and exceed my expectations, that’s why I was excited.

Now you have me nervous I just passed up a good deal on a ProCal. I like the Procal, just not a fan Of all the energy required to run them.

I’ve been using it since the first of the year. No, this is my first reactor, but I’m not sure that matters? I’m running it in-sump which I also think is kinda dumb. No other reactor needs to be run in-sump.

Yes, I’ve been emailing back and forth with Roger to the point that I’m starting to feel bad for the guy. He’s great, but nothing he’s recommended has fixed my problem. And yes, it absolutely seems like the intake pump is getting clogged. The screw mechanism to adjust effluent rate is just a very imprecise and poorly designed component.

Back to the original post....in my opinion, you should avoid the tunze and go with something that allows for better control of the effluent rate.

 

[Mellotang]

Maybe try making sure the water going into the pump Has a prefilter

I would think if it’s in a dirty sump it could get closed with detritus

Just thoughts as i Have no experience with Tunze CaRc but I have seen my fair share of clogged intakes

I do like the idea of running calcium reactors with dosing pumps, maybe Tunze will eventually evolve their design

 

[sawdonkey]

Maybe try making sure the water going into the pump Has a prefilter

I would think if it’s in a dirty sump it could get closed with detritus

Just thoughts as i Have no experience with Tunze CaRc but I have seen my fair share of clogged intakes

I do like the idea of running calcium reactors with dosing pumps, maybe Tunze will eventually evolve their design

Thanks for the ideas. I like the idea of running a reactor WITHOUT a dosing pump and that’s why I chose the Tunze. But I had to work, and in my case, it does not.

The reactor does have a pre filter built in. In my opinion, the fatal flaw is the screw that adjusts the flow. It’s simply a screw that pinches a hose and it clearly isn’t staying put. I’m going to try a need valve instead as a last ditch effort, but I shouldn’t have to do this.

 

[AZMSGT]

Since you are in Europe take a look at DaStaCo. We can get them here in the USA but we also have to use a voltage transformer to lower them from 240 to or 120v. It’s similar to the Deltec in that you set it and forget it.

I’m not sure who sells them in the UK or Europe but Unique Corals sells them here.

Dastaco

DaStaCo Calcium Reactor, the best in the industry, a premium product

uniquecorals.com

 

[vetteguy53081]

DELTEC.
Additionally, GEO, coral vue and lifereef

 

[Mellotang]

I understand why you chose the Tunze and no dosing pump, I was optimistic hoping for an energy efficient, simple CaRx

I guess what I was getting at is if I have to run a reactor besides Tunze I like the idea of it being fed with a dosing pump

Seems like it would be much more consistent
The Pro Cal always needs a little tweak here and there on the effluent or CO2

With dosing pump feeding reactor you will at least have a constant effluent

Bummed to hear negative about the Tunze

They got me with their 19watt proprietary pump that infused the CO2 with water
Sounded simple

 

[X-37B]

Thought I would chime in as I have been running the 3171 for a year now.
I run no ph probe or controller.
Mine had the same issue of slowing down and it was frustrating.
However I have been running the last 6 months without issues and its very stable.
Alk runs 7-7.3 consistantly.
So what did I do?
I run the effluent at a steady stream and just adjust co2.
I believe if you try and run say 40-60ml, a minute, like I did, it wont hold and keeps dropping.
A just about steady stream on mine is around 120+ mlm.
I dont even measure it any more.
I can look at it and tell if its in range.
I asked Roger if you could run a masterflex, as I have a couple, but he suggested running a higher effluent rate and it works for me.
The higher rate had no effect on tank ph.

 

[subxero]

Thought I would chime in as I have been running the 3171 for a year now.
I run no ph probe or controller.
Mine had the same issue of slowing down and it was frustrating.
However I have been running the last 6 months without issues and its very stable.
Alk runs 7-7.3 consistantly.
So what did I do?
I run the effluent at a steady stream and just adjust co2.
I believe if you try and run say 40-60ml, a minute, like I did, it wont hold and keeps dropping.
A just about steady stream on mine is around 120+ mlm.
I dont even measure it any more.
I can look at it and tell if its in range.
I asked Roger if you could run a masterflex, as I have a couple, but he suggested running a higher effluent rate and it works for me.
The higher rate had no effect on tank ph.

Just wondering if the flow rate is too fast, will the pH in the reactor be too high to melt the media?

 

[X-37B]

Just wondering if the flow rate is too fast, will the pH in the reactor be too high to melt the media?

I have heard that from others but it has not been an issue with my system.
Just checked it and it was 100mlm and 64bpm. Dkh of 7.2. Ph of effluent is 6.5.
On my system with the 3171 it has been very stable running this way.

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

I run a Tunze 3171. You might look at the 3172 for your size tank. I run no ph probe or controller too.
Simple, easy and very stable.
I run the Tunze media.

Does this reactor need a feed pump or does it feed itself. It says self-priming but not sure.

 

[X-37B]

Does this reactor need a feed pump or does it feed itself. It says self-priming but not sure.

It feeds itself. No feed pump required.