The GEO reactor is built like a tank and works great. I had considered the Reef Octopus calcium reactors too, but got a good deal for the GEO. I don't have experience with your regulator, but mine is the Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser. It came highly recommended to me, and eliminates the guess...
Penn Plax makes these battery back up air pumps. I got mine from Amazon for $15-20 or so. Just plug them in to an outlet, and they automatically turn on when they sense a power out.