Switching from Dosers to Calcium Reactor

[Coronus]

Hi! So my tank currently uses 168 ml of calcium and 168 ml of alk daily. The demand is really high. I am thinking about switching to a reactor instead of my dosing pumps.
Demand is high and I am going through a gallon every 3 weeks.
Has anyone done this? I am kinda nervous because the colonies are very established and I don’t want any alk swings. Change at this stage of the tank worries me from a stability standpoint. Plus, I have little experience with calcium reactors.

 

[GoVols]

Hi! So my tank currently uses 168 ml of calcium and 168 ml of alk daily. The demand is really high. I am thinking about switching to a reactor instead of my dosing pumps.
Demand is high and I am going through a gallon every 3 weeks.
Has anyone done this? I am kinda nervous because the colonies are very established and I don’t want any alk swings. Change at this stage of the tank worries me from a stability standpoint. Plus, I have little experience with calcium reactors.

I run a two stage GEO that's monitored and controlled with an Apex and run the continuous flow method.
If you click on my build below and go over to about page 37 to 38 you can soak it up, from there.

Did a lot of research and Randy said to shoot for alk at 9 dkh and the display at .35 (not 1.025). Those two things help keep your cal balanced with the alk.

Love my setup, but.. if you struggle with low ph now, a cal reactor might not be the right call.

 

[Coronus]

Did you switch from dosers to a calcium reactor?

 

[jduong916]

how big is your setup

 

[Coronus]

It’s a 125 gallon

 

[hybridazn]

168ml daily dose is honestly not high. One reason I switched from dosing 2 part to a reactor is because my daily alk and cal dosing wad almost 300ml for a 180 display. I would stay the course if this were me.

But If you do decide to switch make the easiest way to set it up is to let your ph controller do the work. You set your effluent to an almost steady stream and you adjust your ph levels inside the reactor to keep your levels steady. This method is way easier than going about it the old way of counting bubbles and adjusting effluent drip.

 

[Coronus]

Wow! If your doing 300 a day, your tank must be packed and really grown out. That is amazing! I am thinking I could save some money using the reactor?

 

[hybridazn]

Wow! If your doing 300 a day, your tank must be packed and really grown out. That is amazing! I am thinking I could save some money using the reactor?

You wouldn't see a savings for a good long while after the initial investment needed for a calcium reactor. The reactor, co2 tank and regulator will cost a pretty penny if buying new.

 

[amashun]

i find using the CA reactor was very tricky, it was very hard to fine tune correct CO2 to the reactor and maintain certain levels to break down the medias.... i was using the CA reactor and Kalk combo, (plus manual dosing for minor adjustment) still struggle to keep up with the demands.
then i switch to dosing system and never look back....

 

[scuzy]

I find a calcium reactor is easier once dialed in.

 

[Coronus]

Thanks for all the advice. I tiink I am gonna stay with the dosing pumps. Its dialed in, I fully understand it, start up funds are in play already. If any thing! I can add more dosing pumps. Thanks

 

[CO2doser]

The better way to switch from dosing pump to calcium reactor is using a KH controller.

It need time to dial in a Ca reactor and frequent measure of KH to turn CO2 on and off.

 

[GoVols]

168ml daily dose is honestly not high. One reason I switched from dosing 2 part to a reactor is because my daily alk and cal dosing wad almost 300ml for a 180 display. I would stay the course if this were me.

But If you do decide to switch make the easiest way to set it up is to let your ph controller do the work. You set your effluent to an almost steady stream and you adjust your ph levels inside the reactor to keep your levels steady. This method is way easier than going about it the old way of counting bubbles and adjusting effluent drip.

The King, has spoken

Hybird,
Thanks for jumping in here

My GEO setup will never pay for itself, but I love it

 

[CO2doser]

The best way for a beginner to run a Ca reactor I suggest:

(1) Digital CO2 doser: the simplest way to stable CO2 input. Easy to adjust CO2 rate. No need to count bubble.

(2) PH controller: to turn on any pump to draw effluent out of Ca reactor when PH lower than 6.7. PH controller will turn off the pump when PH higher than certain value, like 6.9~7.0.

if tank still lack of KH, just increase the CO2 rate. PH controller will take care effluent and PH automatically.

Very simple.