When is the correct time to switch to a calcium reactor

MooreReefing · Jun 5, 2022

BroccoliFarmer said:
Have you looked into a Kalk Stirrer? Kalk is dirt cheap and the stirrer from Avast Marine is just over 200 bucks. Unless you have or are planning on having a high demand tank...take a look. Only downside of a Kalk Stirrer is if your evaporation rate is too low to accommodate the Kalk dosing needs or if your Alk and Ca uptake is more than your kalk stirrer can put out (see point 1)

Yes I have thought about it! I’ve heard good things about avast products and was planning to utilize that for the ph offset that a calcium reactor makes! To be completely honest, in all the research I’ve done, I kinda skipped over kalkwasser because I didn’t realize the benefits that it could bring! If it’s not too much to ask, could you enlighten me a little bit on it’s uses?

BroccoliFarmer · Jun 5, 2022

MooreReefing said:
Yes I have thought about it! I’ve heard good things about avast products and was planning to utilize that for the ph offset that a calcium reactor makes! To be completely honest, in all the research I’ve done, I kinda skipped over kalkwasser because I didn’t realize the benefits that it could bring! If it’s not too much to ask, could you enlighten me a little bit on it’s uses?

Kalkwasser provides Alk and Ca in the appropriate proportions. It is just a method that works for moderate needs tanks. Just like a calcium reactor or 2 part, Kalk provides what every good coral needs for the skeletons. Just like the fluent from a calcium reactor, the fluent from a kalk reactor raises the levels to replace consumed alk and ca. The mechanics are VERY similiar. Probably the only REAL drawback on a kalk reactor is that there is a certain level where the kalk reactor becomes saturated and you cannot dose enough kalk because the tank is not evaporating enough water whereas a calcium reactor can have a high concentration of 'stuff' and doesnt need a high evaporation rate. (i am sure there are some other points..but I think this is the biggest one)

MooreReefing · Jun 5, 2022

BroccoliFarmer said:
Kalkwasser provides Alk and Ca in the appropriate proportions. It is just a method that works for moderate needs tanks. Just like a calcium reactor or 2 part, Kalk provides what every good coral needs for the skeletons. Just like the fluent from a calcium reactor, the fluent from a kalk reactor raises the levels to replace consumed alk and ca. The mechanics are VERY similiar. Probably the only REAL drawback on a kalk reactor is that there is a certain level where the kalk reactor becomes saturated and you cannot dose enough kalk because the tank is not evaporating enough water whereas a calcium reactor can have a high concentration of 'stuff' and doesnt need a high evaporation rate. (i am sure there are some other points..but I think this is the biggest one)

Got it! Thank you for the reply! I always like to learn about new things and this hobby seems to bring that in bulk! So kalkwasser is more dependent on the evaporation rate of your aquarium to apply it’s benefits and kind of has a cap as well as being a cheaper means of entry, whereas a calcium reactor is more expensive at entry but does not rely on evaporation to manage the levels in your tank and can apply benefits at most demand levels! Hopefully I absorbed that correctly!

BroccoliFarmer · Jun 5, 2022

MooreReefing said:
Got it! Thank you for the reply! I always like to learn about new things and this hobby seems to bring that in bulk! So kalkwasser is more dependent on the evaporation rate of your aquarium to apply it’s benefits and kind of has a cap as well as being a cheaper means of entry, whereas a calcium reactor is more expensive at entry but does not rely on evaporation to manage the levels in your tank and can apply benefits at most demand levels! Hopefully I absorbed that correctly!

I am sure there is some pedantic reefer out there that is going to say SOMETHING..but I am willing to say yes.