Anyone still use a Ca Reactor?

[xxjdmcivicek9xx]

I've had my Euroreef CA reactor running for 5+ years now and will never go back. I'm primarily an SPS dominated 75 gal. And there comes a point when dosing just can't keep up with demand and when it's just way cheaper To buy calcium media and co2 than multiple bottles of product.

 

[shih87]

I really doubt that you don't need to take care of your dosing system for months, unless you have a very small tank, or just a few corals, or HUGE cans for the two part liquids. Before setting up my calcium reactor and kalk reactor system I was dosing close to 100 ml a day to maintain calcium in my 120 g tank. That means that I would have needed 3 l cans for a single month. An that was when I had much less corals than today.

You can go ahead read my thread in RC. Yes, not even a figure touch for months and I have tried that many times, and yes, a super huge container (now 30 litter, which good enough for at least 45 days) I used for KH, but I did not use two parts. I use NaHCO3 saturated solution, CaCl2 and MgCl2 saturated solution, separately . My display tank is 125 gallon, but you are right on one thing, if I upgrade to bigger tank, then I might back to Ca Reactor. The key is even dosing system fail, so what... but a Ca reactor system fail, then...IMHO, which may jeopardize home safety beyond tank.

 

[mc-cro]

okay..... I understand you have had some bad experiences. But, it is evident you do not know how to properly set up a reactor. A properly set up reactor is no danger, and if set up correctly, will not and can not overdose the tank, even if the solenoid sticks on. The absolute worst thing that can happen to a properly set up reactor is that the solenoid sticks closed, and the tank gets no alk or calk.

There are several very good write ups.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/

http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/i...ctors-in-out-and-everything-in-between-part-1

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/12/tips

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56499

http://www.melevsreef.com/calcium_reactor.html

 

[mc-cro]

You also realize that Co2 is what is used to dispense soda and beer. Have you ever looked under the counter at a bar or restaurant? there are many Co2 tanks under the counter. you exhale Co2.

 

[shih87]

Thats the point. Ca reactor require proper setup and many documents/guidences are written for that. Why? The dosing system also require proper setup, sure, but much easier, so I don't see reefers bother to write a guidance based on their experience.

Three out of four LA SPS stores I visited swap from Ca reactor to dosing system, that must tell us something. Isn't it?

I am sure more evidences in reefers tank success by Ca Reactor than dosing system, and myself someday will back to Ca reactor since it is a nature and cheaper solution. However, my point here is by using a ca reactor it is a bit hard to leave it there and out of town for months, and that special requirement may important for some reefers.

BTW, thanks for the links. It is helpful, but I do not have bad experience on Ca reactor due to I can avoid trouble happen ahead of time. However, I always had to ask a friend come to my house one or twice a week to watch my Ca reactor (e.g. is the drops still steady, gage of CO2 looks normal, etc...) in the past, but with a dosing system, I don't even bother asking a friend to check my tank. That is the beauty of dosing system.

 

[mc-cro]

if you cant figure out how to set one up, then no, you shouldnt use one.

 

[shih87]

if you cant figure out how to set one up, then no, you shouldnt use one.

Can you setup one and leave it no touch for months? If so, then I like to learn from you. I have no problem to setup one and do low maintenance, but honestly, I don't have the skill to no-maintence for months. Let me know what is your trick.

I meant, not blind gambling with no-figure-touch, you have to have confidence repeatedly success no-touch for months.

 

[sirreal63]

If you are not maintaining your tank for months, a CaRx is not the problem.

 

[shih87]

If you are not maintaining your tank for months, a CaRx is not the problem.

When your boss ask you to travel, that is not an option, isn't it?

I have no problem to no-maintance the whole tank for months, with dosing system, Apex controller, ATO system, auto feeder, etc...BTW.

The only problem I have is power outage or earthquake, if it happen, then I check with my webcam after. If anything go wrong, I will call my LFS. Sadly, I am a guy force to travel a lot, but that does not tell me I can't have a decent tank. Isn't it?

 

[mc-cro]

Can you setup one and leave it no touch for months? If so, then I like to learn from you. I have no problem to setup one and do low maintenance, but honestly, I don't have the skill to no-maintence for months. Let me know what is your trick.

I meant, not blind gambling with no-figure-touch, you have to have confidence repeatedly success no-touch for months.

That is why I provided the links. If you read those articles, you will find out how to properly set one up. The only time I ever touch my reactor is to put more media in it, every 8-10 months. no maintenance otherwise.

 

[shih87]

That is why I provided the links. If you read those articles, you will find out how to properly set one up. The only time I ever touch my reactor is to put more media in it, every 8-10 months. no maintenance otherwise.

Ok, thanks for the reminder. These articles I have read before, but I will read again. You can keep no-maintenace of ca-reactotr for 8+ months, then I really have to learn a few trick from you. I also don't want to leave my JS1 reactor idle which is a totally waste.

How you overcome the material graduatelly reduce ( since you have to refill after 8 months, I assume your material reduce at least 1/3, right?) but your SPS grow which require more from reactor!? 8 months, my SPS almost grow double, you can check my SPS tank link ( http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2308288), then your Ca and KH suppose hard to keep in a fixed value, right!? Usually folks need to twist the bubble or drops a bit to keep KH and Ca value, and you don't need to do that over 8 months!? I am sincerely like to learn. I saw your other thread regarding low PH, have your overcome it? That bother me sometime with Ca reactor as well.

 

[sirreal63]

I lived that life for several years, it was exceedingly difficult to keep a healthy tank. If you have found a way to make it work, then that is a great thing. My CaRx was never a problem, keeping things healthy was.

 

[shih87]

I lived that life for several years, it was exceedingly difficult to keep a healthy tank. If you have found a way to make it work, then that is a great thing. My CaRx was never a problem, keeping things healthy was.

You are absolutely right. My tank always a bit downside when I back from a trip, that is hard for a reefer ;-(...

I disagree that dosing system can totally replace Ca reactor, it just I found dosing system has its advantage for guys like me to stay in this hobby. That's all. Like I said, I have a JS1 cover by dust in my room, so, once I figure out no-maintance ca reactor SOP, I will set it up on my 2nd tank.

 

[mc-cro]

how do you adjust for sps growth with your dosing system that you dont touch for months?


it is the same, when you need to increase for growth, you increase effluent potency or volume. I have a cole parmer pump, and I just turn the knob a up a half step, which pumps just a little extra.

my low ph problem was attributed to a closed up house. whenever I opened the windows, the ph would go up. interstingly enough, when I raised my alk from 7.5 to 10, my low alk problems also seemed to have disappeared.

 

[tmz]

if you cant figure out how to set one up, then no, you shouldnt use one.


That applies to any of the methods. I know how to use a CaCo3 reactor and did for several years;not forterh last five; I choose not to for the reasons I noted earlier.Kalk dosed properly from a still reservoir does it all for me but I wouldn't recommended to folks who don't know how to dose it.

You also realize that Co2 is what is used to dispense soda and beer. Have you ever looked under the counter at a bar or restaurant? there are many Co2 tanks under the counter. you exhale Co2.

That's silly ,insulting and irrelevant.

 

[goochesfish]

I still use one. It was expensive to buy and it works great so no need to dump it for something new.

 

[tmz]

I agree if you are using one method or another and happy with the results for your aquarium and the routine fits your personal preferences and reasoning there is no need to dump it for something different. I'm much happier with my calcium reactor on the shelf and off line,though.

 

[shih87]

how do you adjust for sps growth with your dosing system that you dont touch for months?


it is the same, when you need to increase for growth, you increase effluent potency or volume. I have a cole parmer pump, and I just turn the knob a up a half step, which pumps just a little extra.

my low ph problem was attributed to a closed up house. whenever I opened the windows, the ph would go up. interstingly enough, when I raised my alk from 7.5 to 10, my low alk problems also seemed to have disappeared.

I don't need to adjust dosing volume for 2 months, and yes, even using dosing pump it did decrease a bit on KH due to SPS grow. So basically your 8 ~ 10 months "no maintenance" do require "touch", but you just forget to mention it. Please also don't forget ONLY Ca reactor inside material is decreasing, which opposite your tank KH/Ca need when SPS grow over time; while using dosing pump, there is no such thing material decrease, only SPS grow associate KH/Ca requirement increase. That is a simple math which one can keep KH/Ca steady without even a finger touch.

 

[shih87]

Again, I am not against Ca reactor. IMHO, if you are happy with it, and it meet your need, then probably should stay with it, "less change" sometimes is key to have a success SPS tank.

However, if you traveling a lot like me, then a dosing pump/system maybe worth to take a look.

 

[Lurking]

I love using a reactor. The bottle lasts me 6-9 months. I only need to replace the media every 3-5 months. Check to make sure that the check valve is not clogged every so often and thats it. I dont mess with the reactor at all. Easy. Peacefull.