opinions on Geo Calcium Reactors?
- Thread starter Smite
- Start date
A little bit of all those things. I have a Geo 618 and its a great reactor. The acrylic is top notch and really durable. Don't settle for thin walled acrylic, it'll degrade over time. The Eheim pump is silent and cleaning is easy. Spend the cash and get good controller, it's worth it. Same goes for regulator. Once its set, you can forget it(kinda). Until the reg fails and turns the media into mud...but, apart from that happening, your golden.
And I still have to add cal via liquid to keep it close to 400. If I open up the effluent more my alk goes too high.
Pros:
Cons
And I still have to add cal via liquid to keep it close to 400. If I open up the effluent more my alk goes too high.
Pros:
- solid, great quality
- ph port
- easy dismantling
- consistant
Cons
- Friggin huge
- baseplate is large
Another con for any reactor is good control over effluent drip rate. I spent 15$ on a nice gate needle valve and it still constantly gets clogged up and I have to purge it by opening and closing back to its original drop rate.... Daily ...
This can be remedied by a nice peristaltic pump which will only set you back 200-500$ for the pump. If you use a regular feed pump such as mj1200 or aqualifter, good luck
This can be remedied by a nice peristaltic pump which will only set you back 200-500$ for the pump. If you use a regular feed pump such as mj1200 or aqualifter, good luck
Well hopefully it works out. I just picked up the GEO 618 with second chamber 5lb co2 and regulator. It was cheap so I figured I'd give it a go.
Not sure of the make of the regulator, he said it came with the unit. I always liked Milwaukee regs for planted tanks. I may switch it out. If I have to get a peristaltic pump I think it'll still pay itself off over time.
What media do you guys recommend?
Not sure of the make of the regulator, he said it came with the unit. I always liked Milwaukee regs for planted tanks. I may switch it out. If I have to get a peristaltic pump I think it'll still pay itself off over time.
What media do you guys recommend?
I've never had issues with my valve getting clogged and I run a maxi jet as the input.
Stay away from ARM Media. I think it contributed to my phosphate problems that I am going through now. I had an explosion of algae when I changed the media to ARM. I was going to try this next time http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/triton/dastaco2-media-for-calcium-reactors-5kg-bucket.html
Stay away from ARM Media. I think it contributed to my phosphate problems that I am going through now. I had an explosion of algae when I changed the media to ARM. I was going to try this next time http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/triton/dastaco2-media-for-calcium-reactors-5kg-bucket.html
Nope that kitty 5x kitty litter sized one is good ARM and the zeo mag for magnesium. I still had to dose magnesium because I had Mikes (now at Jerrys) giant clam in there.
Man once you've set it up its awesome.
But like someone said the drip shutoff is a Cheap thing that usually causes the issue of clogging. I never found a way to do it differently. But since I had fail safes if PH was high or too low in the reactor The apex would stop the feed pump automatically if that drip valve either went crazy and opened or if it clogged and wouldn't drip.
Man once you've set it up its awesome.
But like someone said the drip shutoff is a Cheap thing that usually causes the issue of clogging. I never found a way to do it differently. But since I had fail safes if PH was high or too low in the reactor The apex would stop the feed pump automatically if that drip valve either went crazy and opened or if it clogged and wouldn't drip.
The TLF sounds like where I'm gonna start at. Decent price and good reviews. I'll be controlling my reactor ph with my apex. Should I get a secondary ph probe for the tank itself as well?
Do you guys set you effluent rate at a very fast drop rate to avoid clogging, then adjust your reactors ph to find your desired level?
I've read a few different ways of adjustments online not sure which to go with.
Do you guys set you effluent rate at a very fast drop rate to avoid clogging, then adjust your reactors ph to find your desired level?
I've read a few different ways of adjustments online not sure which to go with.
^ pretty much
They have one of the largest footprints out there. A few reefers actully put equipment in their stand.
I found no good option (few years back) for a 2nd chamber, so i sold mine & went with another brand.
I also try to stay away from countless teflon thumbscrews. The bettter your results with CaRxs, the faster you go through media, even the coarse stuff, the more often you need to open up & refill. Screw top lids for me.
They have one of the largest footprints out there. A few reefers actully put equipment in their stand.
I found no good option (few years back) for a 2nd chamber, so i sold mine & went with another brand.
I also try to stay away from countless teflon thumbscrews. The bettter your results with CaRxs, the faster you go through media, even the coarse stuff, the more often you need to open up & refill. Screw top lids for me.
