rodeoclown
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Im still fairly new to the hobby and I was curious if its necessary to have a kalk or calcium reactor to keep sps corals?
sps and calcium reactors
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The simple answer might be "yes"... however you can mitigate having to use a calcium reactor by using water changes in the beginning to supplement the calcium and other requirements of your reef as the reef matures you can look into either dosing directly with two part dosing or the addition of a calcium reactor. Again, it's not requirement in the beginning of a freshly establish reef tank.
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In my experience, most will begin by manually dosing a 2-part solution then graduate to one of two methods. One being the dosing pump (or pumps), the second being kalkwasser. I have jumped onboard the kalkwasser bandwagon and have been very happy with my results. In my experience, the calcium reactor seems to be the next level and it may be the next place I go, but so far I am happy with what I have.
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I don't see how the answer can be yes since two part dosing works well for any aquarium, and kalk alone often is not adequate for SPS. 
rodeoclown
New Member
It's a 55 gallon reef ready and although I've had a nano for over a year it's mostly softies. I would like to try my hand with some sps
kacrocorals581
Gotta have that acro
unless you got a heavy sps tank there not needed two part more than good enough
LouieP
Well-Known Member
CA reactor isn't a necessity most equipment aren't a necessity but it will make your life a little easier and some a pretty cool toys. If you are considering it I wouldn't buy a doser, after a few year upgrade to kalk and finally purchase a CA Reactor. I would recommend just to purchase a reactor and save yourself a bunch of money and I would recommend a GEO Reef Reactor.
The other thing I might recommend is if you think you are going to upgrade in a few years ta larger tank you might want to purchase equipment that you can transfer to the new system.
The other thing I might recommend is if you think you are going to upgrade in a few years ta larger tank you might want to purchase equipment that you can transfer to the new system.
Minor4reef
New Member
When you start have issues keeping you alk and calcium consistent by doing water changes and manual dosing two part is when you need to consider either dosing pumps or a calcium reactor. IMO dosing kalk is so you do in addition to dosing pumps or calcium reactor. I have never been able to keep my alkalinity stable with kalkwasser alone.
I agree with Louie to think about what you might do in the future so you don't have to buy twice.
I agree with Louie to think about what you might do in the future so you don't have to buy twice.
Chameleon
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this...i have a reactor sitting on a shelf gathering dust as kalk in the top off and 2 part is working very well for me nowI don't see how the answer can be yes since two part dosing works well for any aquarium, and kalk alone often is not adequate for SPS.
You will have to dose using something, whether that is a 2 part solution or a Ca reactor, it is your choice, both get the same thing done, each has it's pros and cons as far as maintenance and money. So absolutely you can keep SPS with just a 2 part dosing program.
