Doser, Ca reactor, or Kalk Stirrer?

[Leslie88]

I’m redoing everything...system will be roughly 400 gallons. Which of these is the best in your opinions?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What sort of corals?

 

[Leslie88]

What sort of corals?

Sorry, mix mostly sps

 

[mtraylor]

Calcium Reactor would be my choice.

 

[csb123]

For that size system the Ca reactor is the way to go. Be sure to budget for an electronic regulator and masterflex pump.

 

[ca1ore]

Kalk is unlikely to be able to keep up, but it can be useful in pH management. I use it in addition to a CaRx on my SPS tank.

 

[scuzy]

Calcium rx

 

[Leslie88]

Ca reactor it is. Now to decide which one.

 

[cilyjr]

Kalk is unlikely to be able to keep up, but it can be useful in pH management. I use it in addition to a CaRx on my SPS tank.

This 100% for larger systems.

 

[Chiefmaster30]

What’s considered a larger system? I have a 120!

 

[mtraylor]

120 is a nice sized tank. I don't think there is a hard line there for larger system. If you have a 120 fully stocked with sps and you are having issues keeping your parms in check with a doser, etc.... and or you are getting buried with expense from dosing. Then its probably time to get a calcium reactor. Its more efficient and easier to maintain levels. Not to mention allot cheaper. Usually tanks around 180 gallons and above with allot of sps fall into the category. It really depends on your stock list and demand of nutrients. All in all you can keep your levels topped off anyway you like.

 

[Chiefmaster30]

Thanks!

 

[Joe Grubbs]

For my 160g, I'm running a CaRx and a doser as I've found that combination has made the adjustment of each element easier to manage as consumption changes. Generally speaking, I depend on the CaRx to provide a balanced baseline of Alk, Ca, Mg, and other 'trace' elements. While I then dose Ca, Alk, Mg, and I with the doser based on testing and tank demand. This has greatly simplified the operation of the CaRx, (and some argument can be made that I don't need to run it at all) and stabilized the overall chemistry swings.

PS. I have run the CaRx for the past 4 years and made manual corrections to chemistry during that time...only added doser and daily dosing in the last 6 months and wonder why I did not do so earlier.

 

[ca1ore]

Not sure I agree that a CaRx is a 'lot cheaper' than dosing. If you use bulk chemicals, the running costs are about the same, but the upfront investment for the reactor is much higher - particularly if you buy a top end model.

 

[mtraylor]

I agree it certain tank setups. Its a matter of demand from your aquarium and how you want to supply the nutrients. You have to figure out what best fits your aquarium. In some cases people will not dose at all. They just do water changes. Some others may have a small aquarium and have a couple bottles of nutrients that will last them years. Others may go with dosers which save them allot of money over buying bottled nutrients and others may use calcium reactor or KALK reactor. Each case most often its the best economical solution. BTW, I have used them all. For my setup I have a fully stocked 255 gallon mixed reef heavily stocked on sps.

Yearly Cost
Reactor media $25
CO2 $20

Total cost/year $45

Yes the initial investment is allot higher. I have been running this thing for about 10 years. Geo 618 reactor. Never replaced anything on it. The pump is an eheim pump that I have maybe cleaned twice. I really enjoy the set it and forget it setup as well. I don't have to worry about topping off this and that for a long time. Not to mention there is no doser replacement costs/repair that come with calcium reactor. They are both great ways to supply nutrients to the aquarium and both good viable options.

For a big aquarium, I will always recommend a calcium reactor over all the rest.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree that a calcium reactor would often be the best bet for a large SPS tank, but if rapid coral growth is a primary goal and the home air is potentially high in CO2 already (like in a new home) the tank will have a pretty low pH with a reactor and a two part might be a good alternate choice.

Using a two part might also allow you to use some of the newer systems for maintaining elements without water changes, like Triton, that could be a bit more complicated when using a reactor.

 

[brandolphjr]

Calcium reactor for sure,,less $ and less maintenance... it's a win win .[emoji3]

 

[Txdragonslayer]

This 100% for larger systems.

THis isn’t completely true. The Long Island aquarium only uses Kalk, and has had the card off line for some time now. Although he goes through about 35g of Kalk a day, it is still a marvelous mixed reef with very healthy SPS! Check out Melevs reef YouTube channel for the 30000 gallon (i think) tank

 

[fedeuma]

I agree that a calcium reactor would often be the best bet for a large SPS tank, but if rapid coral growth is a primary goal and the home air is potentially high in CO2 already (like in a new home) the tank will have a pretty low pH with a reactor and a two part might be a good alternate choice.

Using a two part might also allow you to use some of the newer systems for maintaining elements without water changes, like Triton, that could be a bit more complicated when using a reactor.

Big fan of your work Randy! Are you still a big fan of Kalkwasser?

 

[Reefer33]

THis isn’t completely true. The Long Island aquarium only uses Kalk, and has had the card off line for some time now. Although he goes through about 35g of Kalk a day, it is still a marvelous mixed reef with very healthy SPS! Check out Melevs reef YouTube channel for the 30000 gallon (i think) tank

Actually that system uses a calcium reactor for alk and ca additives, and kalk to maintain pH issues. In one video, I can't remember which one, the curator Joe Yaiullo even mentioned when he trims his sps colonies those frags go straight back into the reactor to be redissolved, sick I know. LOL