Do you dose calcium while running a calrx?

[Mshort03]

I'm in process of building a 320g display reef and am switching to a calcium reactor From 2part.. I have purchased an SROcr5000d for my 320 display~600g system. I'm reading more how some people still have to dose calcium even though they have a reactor running... What is your experience?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'm in process of building a 320g display reef and am switching to a calcium reactor From 2part.. I have purchased an SROcr5000d for my 320 display~600g system. I'm reading more how some people still have to dose calcium even though they have a reactor running... What is your experience?

Depends on the coral load and demand. It's quite possible that some use a undersized calcium reactor and their coral load became greater than it's ability to keep up. Others may be dosing kalkwasser as a supplement for alkalinity.

Proper size reactor should keep up with demand for both alkalinity and calcium if tuned correctly.

 

[Mshort03]

Depends on the coral load and demand. It's quite possible that some use a undersized calcium reactor and their coral load became greater than it's ability to keep up. Others may be dosing kalkwasser as a supplement for alkalinity.

Proper size reactor should keep up with demand for both alkalinity and calcium if tuned correctly.

The reactor I bought is over sized for my display.. I did that so it should require less maintenance. I should also note it is an sps dominant reef. I'm switching because I already dose 200ml a day in a 90 g so I wanted a reactor for the new system but if dosing 2 part with it is common then I'm just trying to hear these experiences.
This is my current 90g

 

[Flippers4pups]

The reactor I bought is over sized for my display.. I did that so it should require less maintenance. I should also note it is an sps dominant reef. I'm switching because I already dose 200ml a day in a 90 g so I wanted a reactor for the new system but if dosing 2 part with it is common then I'm just trying to hear these experiences.
This is my current 90g

You should be okay then. Nice 90 gallon!

 

[mitch91175]

The reactor I bought is over sized for my display.. I did that so it should require less maintenance. I should also note it is an sps dominant reef. I'm switching because I already dose 200ml a day in a 90 g so I wanted a reactor for the new system but if dosing 2 part with it is common then I'm just trying to hear these experiences.
This is my current 90g

Nice system! I think once you get everything setup and have the reactor tuned, just test at the same time every day to see if you need to also dose 2 part. I read some do, some don't. I am running a CaRx and am messing around with turning it off at night and just dosing alk. I might switch that to kalk, but just experimenting right now. What I am seeing is that dKH is increasing at night more than I want. Instead of running the CaRx 24/7 I am going to test running it until 10PM then back on at 10AM. From 10PM-10AM I will either dose alk or kalk. Also should see a benefit in pH during that time as well. NOTE: this is absolutely not necessary for me to do, I am just wanting to narrow the amount of dKH swing to within +/-0.5 during the day.

It's ultimately going to depend on your system's consumption to determine what approach is going to work best for you overall. You definitely know what you are doing because your current system is really nice.

 

[ca1ore]

CaRx will supply all mineral needs. Although I use one, I do keep the ability to dose 2 part just in case. Sometimes if the reactor gets out of synch, dosing can get you back more easily.

 

[Mshort03]

OK well at what point do you decide its time to supplement with dosing? I was under assumption you'd dose to get level desired and then tune reactor to keep it steady. I was unaware it could present scenario where it wont hold cal up. I will be using a continuously peristaltic pump to control the effluent, it seems to be the "best" and easiest method and I don't cut corners..so its purchased. I guess I'm just semi disappointed thinking this giant reactor would do all the work..obviously time will tell when system is up and running. Trying to adjust reactor while slowly moving corals over I feel will be a challenge.. Maybe I should just move them all in at once and adjust to that..