Calcium reactors

[redpenny1]

What is the cheapest way to set up a calcium reactor? I have a 40 gallon nuvo and need some ideas. Or would dosing be better?

 

[nitrodude]

I'd dose a tank that small unless you have lots of sps and high uptake of alkalinity

 

[Murica]

+1, i have a 240 and I’m just leaning on the side of getting one. Any smaller and a doser would be much easier imo

 

[Acrofiend]

Milwaukee ph monitor and co2 regulator, aquamaxx nano reactor, cobalt 400 pump and a 5lb co2 tank.

 

[AZMSGT]

Dose that size tank.. Look at Tropic Marin All for reef.

 

[Will Wohlers]

Calcium reactor would still be an easier option once setup. I use one on every system i have even my nano which is a 35 gallon.

 

[C. Eymann]

Dose that size tank.. Look at Tropic Marin All for reef.

Nah, no matter the size of a tank, calcium reactor will work perfectly, less maintenance, safer, cheaper in the long run, also, better IMO.

 

[ndrwater]

I agree with @C. Eymann . Calcium reactors are definitely the most stable and once dialed in, the easiest price of equipment we use..
There is a cost associated with running one. On the order of $1000 all in. They can be had cheaper by buying used, but I wouldn't trust used/old pH probes and the like so even buying used there is still an additional cost associated.
Is it worth it, IMO, yes. Is dosing a legitimate alternative? Absolutely.
For me, having a large SPS tank made the decision easy. On a 40 gallon... If I had the means to purchase run a CaRx, I absolutely would.

 

[Huff747]

I have the same type of question on a Reefer 750XXL (160 gallons). I've been using Kalk in my ATO but now it appears that isn't keeping up. I still have to dose ~100 ml of alkalinity a day to keep my Alk around 8.6. I've been looking at Neptune DOS as I managed to get a Trident and going with Trident controlled dosing or a Calcium reactor.

And along those lines would you recommend continuing to use kalk in my ATO and dose/Calcium reactor for the difference? Or go to just water in my ATO and dose/Calcium reactor for all of it?

 

[C. Eymann]

I have the same type of question on a Reefer 750XXL (160 gallons). I've been using Kalk in my ATO but now it appears that isn't keeping up. I still have to dose ~100 ml of alkalinity a day to keep my Alk around 8.6. I've been looking at Neptune DOS as I managed to get a Trident and going with Trident controlled dosing or a Calcium reactor.

And along those lines would you recommend continuing to use kalk in my ATO and dose/Calcium reactor for the difference? Or go to just water in my ATO and dose/Calcium reactor for all of it?

I'd continue to add kalk to ATO for its pH raising benefits, also you wont have to tune the reactor as aggressively/ save on CO2 and media.

I consider the combination of a kalkwasser reactor/stirrer or kalk+ATO in addition to a calcium reactor to be the best setup to keep up with mineral demand.


Just my .02