Success with just kalk and no reactors

[Jake029]

Will I be okay with just dosing kalk using a BRS 1.1ml doser for my mixed reef? I have about 10 sps frags from monti caps and sticks (easy ones like birdnest and just got my first staghorn). The rest is pretty much zoas and lps like euphyllia and acans.

So far, I'm able to keep my alk at 8 dripping kalk but I'm thinking of getting a 1 gallon jug and using the BRS doser with my apex. Filling my dripper every day is annoying. But if I need to 2 part soon, I think I'll just buy 2 part and step away from kalk altogether now.

How necessary are reactors? I just toss my media bag in my bubble trap baffle in my sump right now. I don't really have phosphate issues. But I do use carbon. Will a reactor make a huge difference? Should I just get one to run carbon since gfo isn't necessary for me right now?

 

[EmdeReef]

Kalk is usually enough if there’s low alkalinity consumption. While dosing kalk, you should watch your ph.

Reactors aren’t required, should only be used if you are dealing with an issue. Carbon reactor will make a difference but a media bag in sump also works depending on the size of the tank and flow etc.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I own a reactor and some GFO, carbon and phosphate reducer. But it's been years since any of them have been put to use. Once a system is really stable and well maintained, there shouldn't be much need for a reactor.

 

[Bpb]

Plain kalkwasser will carry you surprisingly far. Use it till it doesn't work. It'll be quite a ways down the road. But yes, I'd automate it a little more to have less hands on work.