dangros
Well-Known Member
I have a 90g w/a large 40B sump/fuge. Would the Geo 510 be plenty or is the 612 the way to go? I know nothing about reactors but am tired of Kalkwasser. Also would a reg ph probe be fine or would it be better to go pro?
which calc reactor for my 90g
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143MPCo
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The CR510 calcium reactor will hold roughly 5 pounds of media and is well suited for reef aquariums up to 125 gallons.
The CR612 calcium reactor will hold 8 pounds of large grain media and is well suited for reef aquariums up to 200 gallons.
@90-gallons on your DT and depending on contributing factors of coral growth (not calculable without testing consumption rates) it comes down to how often do you want to be adding media.
The CR612 calcium reactor will hold 8 pounds of large grain media and is well suited for reef aquariums up to 200 gallons.
@90-gallons on your DT and depending on contributing factors of coral growth (not calculable without testing consumption rates) it comes down to how often do you want to be adding media.
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dangros
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Are there any advantages to going with the 612 other than a potential upgrade to the tank size and amount of media?
Also are there any other considerations? I noticed a post where someone HIGHLY recommended one reg over another - I dont know why?
The goal is to make my life easier and more maint free.
Also are there any other considerations? I noticed a post where someone HIGHLY recommended one reg over another - I dont know why?
The goal is to make my life easier and more maint free.
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Either will work...
the 612 uses an Eheim 1048 pump, bolted to base plate, the 510 uses a MJ1200 no base plate...
Like you stated "The goal is to make my life easier and more maint free." then the consideration is more inline with the 612...
Personally not a fan of MJ anymore and the eheim is a better pump (IMO).
the 612 uses an Eheim 1048 pump, bolted to base plate, the 510 uses a MJ1200 no base plate...
Like you stated "The goal is to make my life easier and more maint free." then the consideration is more inline with the 612...
Personally not a fan of MJ anymore and the eheim is a better pump (IMO).
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swk
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I use a 612 on my 75 gal. I love it. Do yourself a favor and research peristaltic Pumps, like the cole Parmer masterflex for a feed pump and carbondoser electronic regulator. Literally set and forget calcium reactor operation
ssdawood
Valuable Member
Plus one. One of the best ways to run the reactor is to have metered amount of gas, which can be achieved by two stage regulator
And metered amount of efflyent which can be achieved by continously duty peralistic pump like cole palmer masterflex.
Not saying other methods are no good. But with these two it's a headache free setup.
And metered amount of efflyent which can be achieved by continously duty peralistic pump like cole palmer masterflex.
Not saying other methods are no good. But with these two it's a headache free setup.
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dangros
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I went ahead and ordered the 612 directly from Geo. Spoke to the guy who will build it. He was awesomely helpful!
Can you guys explain why I would want the peralistic pump vs the maxijet that normally comes in the pkg? I dont even think I know the diff b/w a peralistic and reg pump! Looks crazy expensive and confusing as to which pump. There are many.
So now I started looking into the other stuff. Def getting the carbon doser. Rarely do I see such consensus on how much a product is preferred over it's competition.
So the other stuff recommended:
Can you guys explain why I would want the peralistic pump vs the maxijet that normally comes in the pkg? I dont even think I know the diff b/w a peralistic and reg pump! Looks crazy expensive and confusing as to which pump. There are many.
So now I started looking into the other stuff. Def getting the carbon doser. Rarely do I see such consensus on how much a product is preferred over it's competition.
So the other stuff recommended:
- 2 of : "THE BEST" Check Valve ( to prevent water coming back. The guy at aquarium plants said this was the way to go)
- 1 of : Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(5 lbs)(empty)
- 1 of : CarbonDoser Electronic Co2 Regulator
- 1 of : Caribsea ARM Calcium Reactor Media Extra-Coarse 1 Gallon
- 1 of : Polyurethane tubing: CO2 Resistant Tubing (10' length)
ssdawood
Valuable Member
You don't need a peralistic pump you will want it after a while.
A maxijet flow changes and is not constant.
Since you effluent has the alk and cal in it. Now say you setup the maxi for a certain amount of effluent. This makes the alk and cal stable.
But then on its own in a couple days maxijet flow changes or the effluent clogs then the amount of effluent going in tank fluctuates
This will fluctuate your alk and calcium. So now your once stable parameters is all over the place
See the isssue. So to correct this you will be fiddling with the valve every day or two.
A peralistic pump is made to dose correct amount for long time.
A maxijet flow changes and is not constant.
Since you effluent has the alk and cal in it. Now say you setup the maxi for a certain amount of effluent. This makes the alk and cal stable.
But then on its own in a couple days maxijet flow changes or the effluent clogs then the amount of effluent going in tank fluctuates
This will fluctuate your alk and calcium. So now your once stable parameters is all over the place
See the isssue. So to correct this you will be fiddling with the valve every day or two.
A peralistic pump is made to dose correct amount for long time.
swk
Well-Known Member
George is a great guy to work with. You will love your reactor.
I use reborn media fwiw
The Peri pump will give you a constant metered amount of effluent 24/7. The maxi jet will vary slightly and that's enough to make your parameters inconsistent. Not a huge deal, but there are better solutions out there from 2-400+ dollars. For s tank packed with thousands in corals, a few hundred more didn't matter to me. You can always try the maxi and see how it goes. Meanwhile keep an eye on ebay or the forum classifieds for a cheap masterflex. Here's my setup
There's a fantastic thread on the "other" forum that is dedicated entirely to peri pump calrx setups. Check it out!
I use reborn media fwiw
The Peri pump will give you a constant metered amount of effluent 24/7. The maxi jet will vary slightly and that's enough to make your parameters inconsistent. Not a huge deal, but there are better solutions out there from 2-400+ dollars. For s tank packed with thousands in corals, a few hundred more didn't matter to me. You can always try the maxi and see how it goes. Meanwhile keep an eye on ebay or the forum classifieds for a cheap masterflex. Here's my setup
There's a fantastic thread on the "other" forum that is dedicated entirely to peri pump calrx setups. Check it out!
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dangros
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Now that is some good advice! I'm definitely and over thinker at times. I'm not going to build a reg - I'm quite handy but I'm sick of building things at this point and just want to get this show on the aragonite road 
So with respect to the feed pump. There are p. pumps such as the cheaper BRS ones. What would be the disadvantage of that?
So with respect to the feed pump. There are p. pumps such as the cheaper BRS ones. What would be the disadvantage of that?
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dangros
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OMG, I know I'm on the right track now. We have the exact same top off container 
I like the rack you put the other stuff in. I may try to emulate it if I cant fit it in the sump. Great pic btw. Helpful. And yes, George and Mark were great.
I like the rack you put the other stuff in. I may try to emulate it if I cant fit it in the sump. Great pic btw. Helpful. And yes, George and Mark were great.
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dangros
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That makes sense. I'll keep an eye out on ebay. For now, maybe there's a way to throttle down the mj so there's more consistency in how much it pumps out? Or am I overthinking again? LOL.
I'll find the other thread on them and keep an eye out on the local reefer club of which I'm a member - WAMAS.
Great stuff guys, THANKS!
I'll find the other thread on them and keep an eye out on the local reefer club of which I'm a member - WAMAS.
Great stuff guys, THANKS!
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dangros
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I do. I have an Apex but will need the 2nd pH probe. Yet another thing to ring up. I'm forgetting is this my wife's birthday coming up or mine?! If I suddenly stop posting - she killed me, call the cops.
I'll prob. just use the ORP port. That thing is pretty useless from what I've seen.
I'll prob. just use the ORP port. That thing is pretty useless from what I've seen.
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dangros
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An update and a question:
To maintain a smaller footprint, George built the rx you see below. Pretty, I think. A recent FTS is also provided.
You guys were right on about everything. Due to expense and space restrictions, I decided to hold off on the Peri pump but, I really wish I had one now. I ended up with a Sicce and MJ 1200 to run the reactor. The Sicce is a bit loud for me but I dont know if the eheim would have been any better. Soon as I put it in, I noticed an improvement in the growth of everything. As you guys stated, the MJ works but it can clog up at times and isnt the most consistent thing. As a result, I run the effluent rate at about 45 ml/minute.
Now for the question:
It worked well until recently. Lately, I've been having a tough time maintaining Alk. I've supplemented w/Kalkwasser and baking soda but that seems a bit wrong given my tank is only 90g and it's not FULL of SPS. The pH inside the reactor is set to 6.5-6.52. I was getting about 12.5 dKH measurement on the effluent. The reactor is filled with extra course ARM. Not sure if it’s diluting but I’m also doing automatic water changes at about 2 gal/day.
Any idea?
Note that this in not an sps filled tank.
To maintain a smaller footprint, George built the rx you see below. Pretty, I think. A recent FTS is also provided.
You guys were right on about everything. Due to expense and space restrictions, I decided to hold off on the Peri pump but, I really wish I had one now. I ended up with a Sicce and MJ 1200 to run the reactor. The Sicce is a bit loud for me but I dont know if the eheim would have been any better. Soon as I put it in, I noticed an improvement in the growth of everything. As you guys stated, the MJ works but it can clog up at times and isnt the most consistent thing. As a result, I run the effluent rate at about 45 ml/minute.
Now for the question:
It worked well until recently. Lately, I've been having a tough time maintaining Alk. I've supplemented w/Kalkwasser and baking soda but that seems a bit wrong given my tank is only 90g and it's not FULL of SPS. The pH inside the reactor is set to 6.5-6.52. I was getting about 12.5 dKH measurement on the effluent. The reactor is filled with extra course ARM. Not sure if it’s diluting but I’m also doing automatic water changes at about 2 gal/day.
Any idea?
Note that this in not an sps filled tank.
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Ewilson
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An update and a question:
To maintain a smaller footprint, George built the rx you see below. Pretty, I think. A recent FTS is also provided.
You guys were right on about everything. Due to expense and space restrictions, I decided to hold off on the Peri pump but, I really wish I had one now. I ended up with a Sicce and MJ 1200 to run the reactor. The Sicce is a bit loud for me but I dont know if the eheim would have been any better. Soon as I put it in, I noticed an improvement in the growth of everything. As you guys stated, the MJ works but it can clog up at times and isnt the most consistent thing. As a result, I run the effluent rate at about 45 ml/minute.
Now for the question:
It worked well until recently. Lately, I've been having a tough time maintaining Alk. I've supplemented w/Kalkwasser and baking soda but that seems a bit wrong given my tank is only 90g and it's not FULL of SPS. The pH inside the reactor is set to 6.5-6.52. I was getting about 12.5 dKH measurement on the effluent. The reactor is filled with extra course ARM. Not sure if it’s diluting but I’m also doing automatic water changes at about 2 gal/day.
Any idea?
Note that this in not an sps filled tank.
Is that a custom built reactor
