want to learn about calcium reactor

ifarmer · Nov 9, 2015

hello everyone.

could someone please teach me more a little bit about calcium reactor. First, I want to learn more about it and second is possibly be switching to using calcium reactor hopefully this coming spring or summer. Beside the up front cost, what is the saving if I switch from the so called 2-parts dosing to using calcium reactor. are the media any more expensive than buying the 2 parts liquid? can you trust the reactor system than the automatica 2 parts dosing system?
what size reactor and what size co2 would fit my tank.
I've been automatic dosing (Alk and Cal) using 2 parts for 3-4 years now. The 2 parts works great. However, this hobby sucks. it always makes you want to buy new toys and new technology even though old teach. works just as fine.

here is what I have.
my tank has just sps.
total water volume is about 100 gallon (not including rocks, tank is bare bottom.).
currently dosing about 40ml of alk and about 35ml of calcium

what is the smallest calcium system work suitable for my tank and ease of use?

respectfully.

thank you

hipower · Nov 9, 2015

Following as I'm interested also...

Ocean reefer · Nov 9, 2015

it the only thing i use..do u have a apex? i control the dosing pumps and ph probe threw the apex and never had any problems i can post pic or send u guys pics later when in get home

ifarmer · Nov 9, 2015

why apex controller is needed?
can you help elaborate more about it. thanks

WesF · Nov 9, 2015

You need a pH controller to open/close the CO2 solenoid based on the internal pH of your reactor. But if you have an Apex or other controller that can control off pH you won't need to buy a separate pH controller.

ifarmer · Nov 9, 2015

control mean to monitor it only?
can i manually test for ph (wouldn't that be the same as monitor it with a controller?)?
thanks

WesF · Nov 9, 2015

No it controls it. It turns the CO2 solenoid off when pH drops below set point.

Ocean reefer · Nov 9, 2015

If the co2 gets to low it will melt the reactor media to fast and then killing the tank

Blitzie · Nov 9, 2015

I have been using one for few years.

I am using a Lifereef LCR1 and Jeff at Lifereef sells the PH probe holder as an option. He says many people do not use it.

Now back to my setup I run a full APEX and I do use the PH probe in the reactor as well as second on in the sump. I use the second PH probe in the reactor to trigger the solenoid to open and let CO2 into the reactor based on the PH Setting I run to dissolve the media. The media in the reactor needs a low PH (6.5-6.75 depending on media) to dissolve and raise the Calcium and Alkalinity.

The Price to get it all going if the major expense of the deal. I treated it as pay now or pay later. There are often times good reactors available used so my prices are just a reference
The reactor was $469.00 from Lifereef.
Reactor feed pump was $30.00
Reactor media (two little fishes reborn) was $23.00
CO2 tank rental $30.00/Yr. (I chose to rent and not have to worry about driving to local supply house to get my own personal tank filled, I also don’t need to worry about the certification on tank expiring)

So if you are dosing do the math and see what it costs you monthly. If you are just starting the dosing program you also need to ask the cost of dosing pumps to the equation.
I chose the reactor method just for the simplicity and predictability of the system and that once I put media in the reactor and a fresh C02 bottle I am good for 8-10 months of nothing to do.