To go calcium reactor or not?
- Thread starter Aquaph8
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BigJohnWoody
Active Member
I just switched from 2 part to a calcium reactor. I think it's one of the best decisions I have made in the hobby so far. Super easy to use and I love the idea of putting back in trace elements from a natural source. Only downfall is my ph has dropped a little but with co2 absorbent it has come back to 8. I would really recommend a geo reactor and really really recommend an aquariumplants regulator. They are absolutely worth every penny. Yes they're expensive, but with the three year warranty, customer service, and how easy they are to use and accuracy, they are worth there weight in gold.
OP
OP
Aquaph8
Love The Fish
Really appreciate the reply. That's the exact setup I was gonna use. A local Guy is selling it for a good price. Couple questions, if I may. What is co2 absorbent? Is it bad to go a little bigger than you need?
BigJohnWoody
Active Member
Co2 absorbent is a media that pulls co2 out of your system which will cause your ph to drop. Thefilterguys sell it. It works off of your air intake on your skimmer. Here is a link. Skimmer Media
Also from everything I have read and researched buying a bigger or smaller reactor is not gonna hurt anything at all. It will either need to be refilled more often with new media or last a long time. I bought one that is smaller than I would like and it works perfect.
Also from everything I have read and researched buying a bigger or smaller reactor is not gonna hurt anything at all. It will either need to be refilled more often with new media or last a long time. I bought one that is smaller than I would like and it works perfect.
OMG Corals
meat popsicle
Ran one. Ph dropped all the time. Hard to keep it dialed in. I found dosing pumps with a three part easier. Also have better growth with the dosing than I did with the reactor.
If you are willing to watch it and put the controllers on it, it can work. I just didnt like it. I have enough Ph probs.
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If you are willing to watch it and put the controllers on it, it can work. I just didnt like it. I have enough Ph probs.
Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk
AquamanE
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I preffer 2 part on a dosing pump controlled by a controller computer. You measrue every few days as you should anyways, you dial it IF NECESSARY, done. I measure my ALK twice per week, find myself adjusting 2 part maybe every month and a half or so.
Reactors are finicky. One mistake= disaster. Ive seen it happen many times.
This is IMHO for an SPS dominated tank, where (SPS) stabilty produces sucess .
Reactors are finicky. One mistake= disaster. Ive seen it happen many times.
This is IMHO for an SPS dominated tank, where (SPS) stabilty produces sucess .
snobored
Community Member
I've been wanting to start a similar thread. I have a few month old 250 gallon system I've been dosing 2part and kalk thru an ATO. I'm leaning more towards a 3 way dosing pump becase of the stability of the pH, and including mag in the regimen. I'd love to see this discussion continued and hear from those who've tried both. Also, what dosing pumps do people recommend? I've heard Mixed reviews for the bubble magus that its not capable of working on larger systems with a higher demand, that the pumps can't keep up and burn out after a few mos
If you run the out put through another little drip tray, it will help remove excess co2 from the effluent and you will have less pH drop. I use a little plastic thing used to hold fish that hangs on the side of the tank. Drill a couple holes in the bottom or if you need to monitor ph drill them a few inches above the bottom.
I've used a reactor for years (Korallin), and appreciate the stability it usually provides. My ph runs lower than I would like, and at times the reactor has created some problems, but for the most part it has done well. I'm considering going 2 part with Mag as well though, as I think it will be easier to keep the ph higher, and the demands of my tank are low (76 gallon). Less things that can go wrong with dosing imo.
Brad Syphus
Valuable Member
I believe it will be worth while as your coral demands get larger. If you have a large amount of lps, sps that demand a lot of calcium and other minerals then its by far best to have a reactor. I run a very large Deltec reactor and to counter the drop in ph I run a very large kalk reactor.
PH remains steady always. And stability is the key to growing coral.
PH remains steady always. And stability is the key to growing coral.
Brad Syphus
Valuable Member
All of my RODI top off water runs thru the kalk reactor first and then into the sump. So all I have to do is add about a cup of kalk to the reactor every 3 weeks or so. So my ph coming out of my calcium reactor is 6.4 and my top off water 12 give or take, around 14dkh. I added a electronic float switch to my sump when my sump gets low the float opens an electric selenoid which opens the water to my RO system. This way my kalk reactor isn't pressurized and my RO isn't always wasting water.
Now my RODI filters last three times longer.
Here is a picture of my kalk reactor when we first added it to my system and was just filling up.
It stand about 40 inches tall, that way the kalk settles before going to the sump.
Now my RODI filters last three times longer.
Here is a picture of my kalk reactor when we first added it to my system and was just filling up.
It stand about 40 inches tall, that way the kalk settles before going to the sump.
arotbart
Active Member
Reactor
+1 on the reactor. If you have the demand, I think it is the best way to go....I was dosing 2 part B Ionic, and it was working, but can get expensive over the long run.
The local "fish guy" suggested one and only one reactor....made by MTC...Marine Technical Concepts. Google the company and ask for Jeff. He is an old timer, but super nice guy and knowledgeable.
First thing, the MTC reactor was the first reactor ever built with a dual chamber.....then everyone copied him. The dual chamber allows for excess CO2 to bleed off into the second chamber and burn off instead of lowering the ph like single chamber reactors do.
Second, Jeff will tell you, as many other hobbyists who have been involved for a while...don't chase numbers! If your PH runs a little on the downside, but your corals and other parameter are otherwise okay, then so be it!
For those that are little OCD like myself...I does Kalkwasser at night to help mitigate the ph drop. My ph in the morning before lights come on is right at 7.9. By the end of my MH light cycle (7:00 PM), PH is right at 8.2.
The MTC reactors are truly "set it and forget it" reactors. I rarely if ever have to mess with the bubble counter. I usually just "flush" the effluent line once or twice a week. By flush, I mean close the line up for a min or two..let the pressure build up, and then open it back up to the drip rate i want/need.
When your demand goes up, very easy to increase, and then set and forget.
Give Jeff a call, he is super nice and will answer all your questions.
I could not be happier in making the switch and it really has made a difference in the stability, which is key if you have a lot of sps.....
+1 on the reactor. If you have the demand, I think it is the best way to go....I was dosing 2 part B Ionic, and it was working, but can get expensive over the long run.
The local "fish guy" suggested one and only one reactor....made by MTC...Marine Technical Concepts. Google the company and ask for Jeff. He is an old timer, but super nice guy and knowledgeable.
First thing, the MTC reactor was the first reactor ever built with a dual chamber.....then everyone copied him. The dual chamber allows for excess CO2 to bleed off into the second chamber and burn off instead of lowering the ph like single chamber reactors do.
Second, Jeff will tell you, as many other hobbyists who have been involved for a while...don't chase numbers! If your PH runs a little on the downside, but your corals and other parameter are otherwise okay, then so be it!
For those that are little OCD like myself...I does Kalkwasser at night to help mitigate the ph drop. My ph in the morning before lights come on is right at 7.9. By the end of my MH light cycle (7:00 PM), PH is right at 8.2.
The MTC reactors are truly "set it and forget it" reactors. I rarely if ever have to mess with the bubble counter. I usually just "flush" the effluent line once or twice a week. By flush, I mean close the line up for a min or two..let the pressure build up, and then open it back up to the drip rate i want/need.
When your demand goes up, very easy to increase, and then set and forget.
Give Jeff a call, he is super nice and will answer all your questions.
I could not be happier in making the switch and it really has made a difference in the stability, which is key if you have a lot of sps.....
Tagging along....
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Sent from my EVO 4G using Tapatalk
