#1 calcium reactor for sps?
- Thread starter Drew707
- Start date
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
The reactor is important but most work very well. The most important piece of equipment is the regulator, if you have a needle valve to control co2 it has the potential to drive you crazy, use the Aquarium Plants electronic regulator, it is rock solid and the bubble rate stays exactly where you set the dial. It is also important to have precise control over the rate of effluent, most valves tend to clog with a rich effluent and slow drip rate, the best solution is to use a peristaltic pump so the effluent doesn't stop because of a clogged valve. A good controller isn't required but it sure can make it easier to control what is happening in the reactor.
I like the Geo design but hate the wimpy little recirc pumps, but they do work. Here is a very good read on calcium reactors.
http://reef.diesyst.com/crarticle/crarticle.htm
I think the only crappy CaRx I have ever seen is the Coralife one, it is very flimsy. I have a little MRC that I bought second hand in 2005, it has been a great little reactor, I have also built my own, re-purposed a NextReef reactor and converted it to a CaRx. IMO one of the best ones available right now is the CoralVue SRO calcium reactors. They got it right with the design, it has a strong recirc pump to take advantage of virtual height, has a gas recovery setup to eliminate the chance of gas escaping out the effluent and the price isn't too objectionable.
All of the ones you will find work, some just are more efficient than others, some have better components than others and some will just make you crazy with having to adjust it constantly.
I like the Geo design but hate the wimpy little recirc pumps, but they do work. Here is a very good read on calcium reactors.
http://reef.diesyst.com/crarticle/crarticle.htm
I think the only crappy CaRx I have ever seen is the Coralife one, it is very flimsy. I have a little MRC that I bought second hand in 2005, it has been a great little reactor, I have also built my own, re-purposed a NextReef reactor and converted it to a CaRx. IMO one of the best ones available right now is the CoralVue SRO calcium reactors. They got it right with the design, it has a strong recirc pump to take advantage of virtual height, has a gas recovery setup to eliminate the chance of gas escaping out the effluent and the price isn't too objectionable.
All of the ones you will find work, some just are more efficient than others, some have better components than others and some will just make you crazy with having to adjust it constantly.
chessmanmark
New member
I have two. The first one I purchased was an MRC. Then I purchased a Deltec. My preference is the Deltec. It has worked well for about five years now. I never have to fuss with it.
latinreefer
New member
+1 on geo built solid and is super reliable. Regulator is key, aquarium plants regulator is hands down the best, set it and forget it.
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