Kalkwasser or Calcium Reactor?

[dvybiral]

Hello Reefers,
I am at the point with my new build ( 6 months past my cycle), that I am starting to need some method of maintaining alkalinity, calcium, Mag. and PH. I am running the Neptune 2016 Apex controller, and have the DOS mounted and ready to go. Should I go with a two part, or use a kalkwasser reactor with the ATO or just add limewater to my ATO, (which would be a pain because it is built in and can not be cleaned periodically due to space in stand), and then use the DOS for maybe adding All-For-Reef from Tropic Marin, or ATI Essentials Pro. My build is a 120 gallon display, 21" ghost overflow, 46 gallon sump, built in fuge, ATO, media reactor. Fish 1 yellow tang, 1 white belly yellow wrasse, 2 P J cardinals, corals 6 frags of various LPS, torch, micromussa, palys, few zoe's, and 3 mushroom's. Parameters are Alk 9.0 dkh, Ca. 430, mag. 1335, NO3- 0.3, PO4- .01, temp 78, salinity 1.026, PH 8-8.15. Fuge is full with chaeto, media reactor running with carbon both feed by manifold 1/2" ball valve from return pump.

 

[Breadman03]

If you've got the DOS, 2-part would be simple and effective. You'd need to spend like $30 (maybe) on the dry components (available at your grocery store) and a couple containers. I'd suggest starting there and considering a calcium reactor at some point if you are still interested.

 

[ReefGeezer]

If you've got the DOS, 2-part would be simple and effective. You'd need to spend like $30 (maybe) on the dry components (available at your grocery store) and a couple containers. I'd suggest starting there and considering a calcium reactor at some point if you are still interested.

Yep... and you can use one of the dosing pumps later when ca/alk demand is higher and you start a calcium reactor. The other can be used to dose phyto, or other stuff as needed.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Cal Rx would be my recommendation

 

[Montiman]

I really like Kalkwasser but I would never dose Kalk thorugh an ATO only though a reactor with a peristaltic pump. Ultimately Kalk, Two Part and Calcium reactors all have advantages and disadvantages.

Two Part

Advantages
Simplest to start and understand, easy to scale, low startup cost

Disadvantages
Raises salinity, most expensive in the long run, incorporating trace elements can be difficult.

Kalk

Advantages
Cheapest in the long run, Raises pH, can precipitate some phosphate. Moderate upfront cost

Disadvantages
No trace elements, not good for adjustments to parameters, Heavy demand may require more supplements

Calcium Reactor

Advantages
Coolest, Includes trace elements, cheaper than 2 part, often the lowest maintenance once set up.

Disadvantages
Large upfront cost, difficult to understand, pH depression, some phosphate comes as a by product, periodic maintenance though infrequent can be intensive.