Absolute cheapest Ca reactor for a nano

[10" Red Devil]

Hello,

What is the absolute most ecomonical Ca reactor for a 20 gallon system volume nano. I have no plans to upgrade so if it is a small reactor that is fine. TIA.

 

[xcreonx]

There's some nice DIY reactors in the DIY forum. Have you conisdered a simple kalk reactor for a tank that small? You may not need a full-blown calcium reactor.

 

[10" Red Devil]

Er well I dont have the DIY gift (4 thumbs and no tools really). I had a bad experience with Kalk and well I kind of am Anti Kalk now. I do the 2-part right now, but I need something for when I need to leave town for a few days.

 

[Bullredchaser]

The Aqua Medic 400 is only 119.00 and good up to a 75 gal. http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/subsubcategorypage.asp?subcatindexid=cr-cr-cr

 

[Dubbin1]

I would just stick with what you are doing and not worry about it when you leave for a few days. Just remember that you are asking for cheap and you get what you pay for.

 

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6496784#post6496784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bullredchaser
The Aqua Medic 400 is only 119.00 and good up to a 75 gal. http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/subsubcategorypage.asp?subcatindexid=cr-cr-cr

This seems cool! I know I need a bubble counter a solenoid valve and a ph controller. Anything else?

Again just looking for economical at this point, I know I am going to be sticking with a 20gallon system for a long *** time.

So if anyone can recommend an economical solenoid valve, and ph controller and anything else I need I would be very greatful!

 

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6496800#post6496800 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubbin1
I would just stick with what you are doing and not worry about it when you leave for a few days. Just remember that you are asking for cheap and you get what you pay for.

Thanks for your input.

 

[kalare]

Milwauki (sp) is fairly cheap. But be reminded, a gauge/solenoid and a controller are going to run you around 100 each, then the tank will run you around 70-100. So, you're looking at 100 for the reactor, and at least 250-350 for the various parts to run it. Also keep in mind, on smaller tanks, i like to have a dual chamber reactor to keep the pH down, as effluent from a reactor will lower the pH of less water faster.

Anyways, GL, I keep a Ca reactor on smaller tanks and i like it, but just don't think that it's cheap in the slightest

 

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6496875#post6496875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kalare
Milwauki (sp) is fairly cheap. But be reminded, a gauge/solenoid and a controller are going to run you around 100 each, then the tank will run you around 70-100. So, you're looking at 100 for the reactor, and at least 250-350 for the various parts to run it. Also keep in mind, on smaller tanks, i like to have a dual chamber reactor to keep the pH down, as effluent from a reactor will lower the pH of less water faster.

Anyways, GL, I keep a Ca reactor on smaller tanks and i like it, but just don't think that it's cheap in the slightest

Ouch that is what I was afraid of. I guess I was hoping that they had something specifically suited to a small setup and that it would be less expensive because of the smaller size. I know alot of people go with stuff that is made specifically for their tank size and they shoot themselves in the foot later on when they decide to upgrade because they have to buy that part again, but much larger so they spend more then when they started. Well I do not plan on upgrading. I want to have a 20 gallon for a long, long time. I want to do something similar to Julian Sprungs micro reef.

Thanks.

 

[10" Red Devil]

Well I was thinking of getting a doser for the 2pts, but I cannot find an inexpensive one that will let you do less then 7.2ml in 24hrs time.

 

[wayne in norway]

'it would be less expensive because of the smaller size'

That generally means more expensive .....

 

[rayjay]

I wouldn't bother with a reactor for a nano.
It's small enough you can just do water changes to replenish everything as required.

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6496921#post6496921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 10" Red Devil
Well I was thinking of getting a doser for the 2pts, but I cannot find an inexpensive one that will let you do less then 7.2ml in 24hrs time.

Not sure about your situation, but when I went on vacation, I had a neighbor take care of the tank. I premeasured each aliquot of the 2 part, so all she had to do was add one tube in the morning, and one in the evening. I'm sure only every other day for the few days you are gone would be fine too. It's just that with no plans on upgrading to a bigger tank, I'm not sure any quality Ca reactor would be worth it for you. Anyways, just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Reef55]

plenty of two part dosers out there. If the concern is that it doesn't dose low enough in a day, just dilute the 2 parts.

 

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6499952#post6499952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rayjay
I wouldn't bother with a reactor for a nano.
It's small enough you can just do water changes to replenish everything as required.

Not if I am gone for a week? Have you ever kept a nano? Things get used up far quicker then a water change will replace unless your talking about doing daily water changes or something crazy and impractical like that.

 

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6499542#post6499542 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wayne in norway
'it would be less expensive because of the smaller size'

That generally means more expensive .....

Well I have to do what my budget allows and any Ca reactor or doser would be better then nothing right now.

 

[mcox33]

coral life has one

but so does champion lighting and the guages selonoid and bubble counter are just 88 something

 

[gsrracer]

interesting

 

[badpacket]

No one seems to have bothered to ask you a simple question.

What is your daily Ca demand? And, for the heck of it, Alk demand as well.

I would think the smartest thing too do would be to figure out your daily loss of Ca/Alk, and simply have your top-off replace it. Too a certain extent, you should be able to have top-off either Ca or Alk high depending upon which is used more. Guess it depends how many corals you got stacked in the 20.

 

[mikeatjac]

He has figured out his demand. I too believe the best option is to delute a 2 part system and then use a dosing system.
A CR would be hard to dial in for a nano system. A low bubble count is very unstable.