Anyone still use a Ca Reactor?

[Capt_Cully]

With easily obtainable or home remedy 2 part mixes and dosing pumps, do any of you hard core stony reef guys still use a Ca reactor?

 

[SKAREEF]

Yep, rocking the same K2R for 10+ years.

 

[jda]

You are kidding, right? Korallin for me 10+ years and I would never have a stony tank without one.

 

[rodneyri]

still use mine here too

 

[jda]

BTW - dowflake and baking soda has been around since the 1980s that I know of. Dosing is nothing new - I think that I still have some kangaroos laying around.

 

[jgonz_1979]

vertex rx-4 , great reactor and reliable.

 

[Peter Eichler]

Yep, and no interest in going back to dosing.

 

[Charley Diesing]

Currently dosing, if I had a bigger tank I would without a doubt have a CA reactor, I know soooo many reefers that do, as well.

 

[dattong]

I've been using it for 2 yrs

 

[cugly]

Reactor so much easier for me..

 

[reefmutt]

Ive been using ca reactors since the 90s and I wouldn't use anything else.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Uh, no, I'm not kidding.

I sincerely thank you guys for the responses. I honestly don't know that many local guys that use one anymore, and we have a sizeable group. Two guys have recently been TOTM. One uses a reactor, and the other, despite 600 gallons of HEAVILY stocked aquariums, does not. So its not a rediculous question. I have a beautiful GEO Ca Reactor myself. I toyed with selling it, but it seems like they just sit and no one buys them. I've decided I'm keeping it for my next tank, minority or not.

Just figured I'd see what others are still doing.

Thanks

 

[Stolireef]

Love my Geo and wouldn't keep a tank larger than 50 gallons without one. I would say about 50% of the reef keepers I know use a reactor.

 

[Rwpdunne]

Calcium reactor for me a lot less maintenance imo

 

[Realposition]

As someone considering a calcium reactor for the first time what makes it easier or less
maintanence than dosing 2 part with dosing pumps?

 

[Capt_Cully]

If you keep your effluent at 6.6-6.7 pH, it will help buffer your tanks pH to its desired level. It helps maintain Ca, Alk, and Mag. It will decrease the amount of supplements you need to add. Very high demand systems still require some dosing and bolstering of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium, but not nearly to the extent they might require if you didn't run a reactor.

It depends on your demands. But most mature, heavily stocked tanks require a multi faceted approach to stability.

 

[tdb320reef]

.

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Yep SRO5000 Dual Reactor for 400 Gallon Packed Stony.

 

[Stolireef]

As someone considering a calcium reactor for the first time what makes it easier or less
maintanence than dosing 2 part with dosing pumps?

I'm not sure that it's easier or less maintanence but it is way less expensive and IMO more stable.

 

[Nanook]

I run an 1100 gallon mixed reef with one and a 120 gallon stony tank soon with one. I would never run a tank greater than 30-40 gallons without one. They are just so damn cheap and easy to run.

 

[reefmutt]

If you keep your effluent at 6.6-6.7 pH, it will help buffer your tanks pH to its desired level. It helps maintain Ca, Alk, and Mag. It will decrease the amount of supplements you need to add. Very high demand systems still require some dosing and bolstering of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium, but not nearly to the extent they might require if you didn't run a reactor.

It depends on your demands. But most mature, heavily stocked tanks require a multi faceted approach to stability.

+1
Dissolving coral skeletons provides a more comprehensive additive of trace minerals than does basic two part dosing additives.. I know some would argue that regular water change will provide them or that they aren't really necessary since so many people have amazing results with balling but I still feel that you can't beat the ca reactor for giving your reef the most natural water chemistry..
Not to mention that when using a ca reactor, you really don't need a more fancy salt than simple instant ocean..