What CA Reactor would you get?

[lyscer]

I am looking at all of the different CA Reactors out there and am trying to determine which one to get - or embark on another DIY project. I am sold on a dual chamber so that I have another chamber to try and diffuse some of the PH to try and keep my tank PH higher but would like some opinions on what you have and what you like. Any help is appreciated.

This is for a 68Gallon SPS dominant tank. I just finished putting my regulator together and it is needing a CA reactor to use it .

 

[Macdaddynick1]

nice...

GEO

 

[Breadman03]

GEO has a pretty strong following. I would get that regulator a nice Masterflex or Watson Marlow peristaltic pump.

 

[lyscer]

@Breadman03 a peristaltic pump is high on my list. I want this reactor to be super solid since that is the purpose of adding it. (Hence the purpose of the way overkill regulator). I had a CA Reactor on my old tank and I had to muck it with a couple times a month to keep the bubble rate just right so I figured I would do everything the right way and try to form a new opinion since they are awesome when they work.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Also I have to be honest, I guess I'm not qualified to answer your question yet , I've never ran a CA reactor, but I did some research a while back and i have this bad boy locked and loaded for my new setup.

 

[lyscer]

nice! So what is it about the GEO reactors that appeals to you guys? I see that Octopus has a dual chamber reactor with PH probe holders which is a nice feature. The one I am really eyeing is the RX-C 6D (Vertex) but am trying to figure out if I am leaving other options out that are just as good or better.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

nice! So what is it about the GEO reactors that appeals to you guys? I see that Octopus has a dual chamber reactor with PH probe holders which is a nice feature. The one I am really eyeing is the RX-C 6D (Vertex) but am trying to figure out if I am leaving other options out that are just as good or better.

I think they are all pretty much the same, the only thing i was told to make sure its an up flow reactor as it doesn't compact the media, and utilizes the CO2 better. I think second chamber could be beneficial regardless of the reactor you're running. Also vertex seems like a super solid reactor. BRS has a nice video reviewing it.

 

[FarmerTy]

I've used 4 reactors over the years. My favorite is my current one, the MTC Procal. It has the secondary reactor chamber you desire, is hand built and rock solid, and even comes with a flow meter. The only thing you're missing is a pH port but that can be remedied with $15 of PVC parts.

IMO, you don't need the peristaltic pump if you get a well designed reactor that gives you a steady effluent rate. Yes, the peristaltic will guarantee that rate never changes but I think its overkill as only one of my reactors ever really needed one. It couldn't hold a steady effluent to save its life... poor design in my opinion as it had some inherent internal pressure issues that kept the effluent flow from ever becoming stable. The peristaltic definitely was needed on that one but the noise of the peristaltic pump drove me nuts very quickly. Not to mention peristaltics that are designed for continuous running are very expensive, even on the used market, and for me at least, the cost/benefit was just not worth it and I bought the MTC Procal to not have to run the CaRX with a peristaltic pump.

I hear great things about the Geo but I've never used one.

 

[dson78]

GEO - I run the 612 on my 150 gallon system with a peristaltic pump and an aquarium plants carbon doser and it has been rock solid for months now.

 

[JBNY]

I agree with everything that FarmerTy wrote. I had been using an MTC Procal for over 10 years, it still worked just as good as it did when I bought it. If you are looking for a reactor I would absolutely give them some serious thought.

 

[lyscer]

@JBNY, did you put that regulator together? it looks a lot like the one I put together from a thread that I followed from another forums regulator build thread.

 

[reefwiser]

Dastaco will be the one I will be using on my next tank.

 

[lyscer]

@reefwiser, that thing appears to be massive (along with the price tag). looks like a sweet setup though. Those are definitely out of the range of what I can afford.

 

[JBNY]

I did. From the same build thread.

 

[reefwiser]

They are the best reactor out there bar none. They self adjust and are built like tanks. I have already had all the other types of reactors on the market so far this next build I am buying this one.

 

[FarmerTy]

They are the best reactor out there bar none. They self adjust and are built like tanks. I have already had all the other types of reactors on the market so far this next build I am buying this one.

Have you gotten a chance to play with one yet reefwiser? I curious as to some hands-on experience with the reactor.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Love my Geo.

 

[reefwiser]

No but I have several friends that I trust that have them and they love ,love the DaStaco. Geo is a nice calrx but it is not a DaStaco. I have had calrx for for 20 years. An I am at a place in my life and the hobby to get the products I love. Just don't want to make any more compromises any more. I do this by targeting a piece of equipment and buying the best once a year. This year was controller picked up an ultimate GHL system. Next year may the DeStaco. Will see. [emoji3]

 

[Macdaddynick1]

I did. From the same build thread.

I am looking at all of the different CA Reactors out there and am trying to determine which one to get - or embark on another DIY project. I am sold on a dual chamber so that I have another chamber to try and diffuse some of the PH to try and keep my tank PH higher but would like some opinions on what you have and what you like. Any help is appreciated.

This is for a 68Gallon SPS dominant tank. I just finished putting my regulator together and it is needing a CA reactor to use it .

If OP doesn't mind me asking but how much am I looking to spend to build one of these? Also where did you guys pick up those needle valves?

 

[pirate2876]

I really like the Skimz Reactor I have. I had a Geo in the past but, I think the Skimz is better on gas exchange.