Which CaRx this time around?
- Thread starter Reefahholic
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OP
OP
Yeah, it worked good. I did have one of the plastic housings crack on a float sensor due to the magnets banging together, but that was my fault.
OP
OP
I’ll have to check it out!
OP
OP
Which reactor do you have in mind Jda.?
OP
OP
I’ve had 3 Planets so far. Doing a forth soon. I agree...they build a decent tank for the money. Not Reef Savvy, but I don’t have to wait that long or pay a fortune.
Vertex is the cautionary tale.
OP
OP
I thought they discontinued them or something along those lines?
OP
OP
After looking at them all. I think I may go back with another Geo. Can’t beat the color and look. They’re made in the USA which is another plus for me.
Billldg
My Gem Tang Is Watching You
Ok, newby to Calcium Reactor, what is the 2nd container for. I think I know, but not sure. I ask because I plan on adding a reactor to my upgrade build.I would buy one again. I loved it’s simplicity and the blue and white color.
Actually, I went on Geos site and looked it up, lol!!! What media would you use in the 2nd container, the same as the 1st or something else?
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OP
OP
I used a finer grain media in the second chamber. It helps gas off CO2 better, but I couldn’t tell a difference.
Billldg
My Gem Tang Is Watching You
Still trying to decide if I want to go with a 2nd chamber. BRS did a study, and I just watched it and I am not sure if its worth a .05 rise in PH. I am sure the rise is open to debate as it can be subjective. Ultimately I would need to see what the CaRx impact would be on my upgrade when I finish it. Just trying to get the best out of my upgrade.
I will more than likely go with a Geo CR618 and possibly a SMC415.
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naterealbig
pea brain
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Only one choice here: tunze.
Why? The only quality, mass-produced brand that uses a needle wheel pump, so, much more efficient use of CO2.
Why? The only quality, mass-produced brand that uses a needle wheel pump, so, much more efficient use of CO2.
A well-tuned reactor does not need a second chamber. If you are going to dump co2 in with a pH regulator, then it is a good idea since they can kinda reduce the excess co2 from entering the tank. The idea is that the second chamber will have the co2 react with the media to drive it off... it does not always work even when there is excess and co2 gets out and into the tank, but a well-tuned reactor does not have excess co2.
Excess co2 coming out of the unit will lower tank pH. If you tune well and there is no excess co2, then your tank pH will not move much at all.
I do not use a second chamber.
Excess co2 coming out of the unit will lower tank pH. If you tune well and there is no excess co2, then your tank pH will not move much at all.
I do not use a second chamber.
OP
OP
I can tell you that my reactor bottomed out my pH down hard. When I cut my CO2 scrubber off, it would drop to like 7.3 and maybe lower. I would just turn the scrubber back on when I saw it going that low.
And yes...I was running the calcium reactor properly. I had a range and the CO2 stayed off most of the time. I didn't let my controller turn it on/off on/off.
OP
OP
What's the best way to tune it. I set a pH deviation of about 0.15 and that seemed to keep the reactor off most of the time without dumping too much CO2 into the tank.
I tried a 0.1 deviation at first, but it was a little annoying so I moved the range bigger. You have to get the CO2 regulator just right no the Kamoer.
I know you don't use any of this equipment. So tell me how you like to tune yours again.
You set the bubble and drip rate until you have a dKh of about 25. Measure. This is your ratio. Then you raise/lower BOTH in this same ratio until your tank demands are met. Run it 24x7 like this. There is a link in my signature with more info.
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Just set mine up.
Looks good! Let us know how it runs. I have been curious if it runs well long term.
DanConnor
Valuable Member
OK, I've just about had it with my Dastaco. It ran my reef nicely for a couple of years, but its just too complicated for a simple task and I don't feel that I can trust it. I had a Geo but had endless problems with air intrusions I never could solve. People love them though, so it probably was me.
Before that MTC which was nice but they are out of business. And before that... Barre Aquatics? I liked that one.
Anyway Geo seems to be redesigned but I'd rather do something else. Going to try korallin.
Before that MTC which was nice but they are out of business. And before that... Barre Aquatics? I liked that one.
Anyway Geo seems to be redesigned but I'd rather do something else. Going to try korallin.
