Who's running a calcium reactor?
- Thread starter gus6464
- Start date
If you want to try it out without dropping all the cash I have a 1542 koralin that I'd sell for cheap. It's missing a needle valve for the discharge.
On another note I've been running my calcium reactor for 8 months now and I really like it. Much more than I did dosing. Seems to be a lot easier for me to control. I'm using a GEO now.
On another note I've been running my calcium reactor for 8 months now and I really like it. Much more than I did dosing. Seems to be a lot easier for me to control. I'm using a GEO now.
I have a GEO as well and really like it. I think people run into big problems when they try to correct their levels with a calcium reactor. Obtain your correct levels by dosing, then try to hold them there with the reactor.
The only time my system got out of whack was when I increased my effluent drip to try and raise my levels.
I also battled slow clogs at first. I now set a nice steady effluent flow and adjust the pH in the reactor up or down. I know a lot of people suggest not running it off a manifold, but mine works very well that way.
The only time my system got out of whack was when I increased my effluent drip to try and raise my levels.
I also battled slow clogs at first. I now set a nice steady effluent flow and adjust the pH in the reactor up or down. I know a lot of people suggest not running it off a manifold, but mine works very well that way.
I started off at 6.6, but my tank was mostly frags so my drip rate was just over 1 a second so obviously, it would clog. I now have my ph set to 7 with a steady stream - where it's just forming droplets before it hits the water. It still slows down from time to time, but it's every few weeks compared to every few day.
You will go through co2 faster.
You will go through co2 faster.
Awesome! Dual stage regulator! Haha I have a nice AirGas dual stage regulator with swagelok fittings and needle valve. Wouldnt trade it for anything else AND it came out cheaper to build then the aquarium plants regulator that most people use.
As for the calcium reactor, I would only run one on a larger system. Youll run into clogging issues from a slow drip because its too much for a smaller system. A Geo calcium reactor is a well designed reactor and is about the same price of that Vertex one that's on sale.
And I personally think that calcium reactors are "nuke proof". Invest in a great solenoid and have your aquarium controller do the rest. You wont experience those end of tank dumps because of the dual stage regulator, which is the main reason why I decided to use one. My only concern would be your ph dropping in your tank but that is an easy fix by just adding a second or third chamber before the effluent hits your tank water. Calcium reactors, when set up right, should never have to be tinkered with. A true set and forget system. Plus it is cheaper in the long run and less of a hassle. Dosing pumps usually have to be re-calibrated every so often and that can be a pain. Hope this helped! Good luck!
As for the calcium reactor, I would only run one on a larger system. Youll run into clogging issues from a slow drip because its too much for a smaller system. A Geo calcium reactor is a well designed reactor and is about the same price of that Vertex one that's on sale.
And I personally think that calcium reactors are "nuke proof". Invest in a great solenoid and have your aquarium controller do the rest. You wont experience those end of tank dumps because of the dual stage regulator, which is the main reason why I decided to use one. My only concern would be your ph dropping in your tank but that is an easy fix by just adding a second or third chamber before the effluent hits your tank water. Calcium reactors, when set up right, should never have to be tinkered with. A true set and forget system. Plus it is cheaper in the long run and less of a hassle. Dosing pumps usually have to be re-calibrated every so often and that can be a pain. Hope this helped! Good luck!
I would supplement calcium just to get it to the desired level but then use the reactor to maintain it at that level. If your dropping calcium faster than what the reactor is putting into the tank then you would want to increase your effluent to match the demand to keep it stable. But remember when you increase effluent you must balance with the co2 so that the chamber stays at the proper ph to break down the media. If after all that tinkering your still not keeping stable then you may need more media OR a bigger reactor with more media.
Also remember you want a slight stream coming out of the reactor into your tank. Be careful with ph drop in the tank due to increase co2 or increase effluent or both. Small changes at a time would be best.
Also remember you want a slight stream coming out of the reactor into your tank. Be careful with ph drop in the tank due to increase co2 or increase effluent or both. Small changes at a time would be best.
I still do dose calcium. They should be thought of as alk reactors for sure.
I added zeo mag fie magnesium, but it isn't breaking down so I'm currently dosing mag as well. I'm trying neo mag next in the reactor.
I've heard the zeo mag ph has to be real low, like 6.4 range to break down properly. It's almost like it needs it's own reactor.
Hey Steve. Tim the current prez of IEMAS had a 180 so packed with sps that his cal reactor could not keep up on cal and alk. So he had to dose 5 gallons of Kalk water a day. And his cal reactor was lager then any hobbies reactor u can buy with out going in to commercial grade equipment. So your statement is not all that true.
thank you guys. and yes you are right. My post was a little empty in what i meant to say. I see that you are both referring to a reactor that can no longer keep up with the consumption from full sps tanks. In that case then yes of course you would need to add dosing for the additional requirements. My post is meant for those who have smaller systems that are continually using both when they dont need to.
