Are there any nano calcium reactors?
- Thread starter ezcompany
- Start date
katchupoy
New member
what about this one...
check this
http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/mercha..._reactor_kit&Category_Code=g1&Product_Count=8
and read this.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1062911&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
check this
http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/mercha..._reactor_kit&Category_Code=g1&Product_Count=8
and read this.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1062911&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
revance
New member
Wouldn't just dripping kalk be much easier for a nano (not to mention cheaper)? The main purpose of using a calcium reactor is to keep up with high demand tanks.
I would also worry about the pH swings due to a calcium reactor in a nano. If you just buy a dosing pump and have it drip kalk at night, it will actually help stabilize your pH.
Another benefit of kalk as opposed to a calcium reactor is that calcium reactors will leech small amounts of unwanted stuff (phosphate, heavy metals, etc.) while kalk not only precipitates out all the nasties before being added to the tank, it actually precipitates phosphate out of the tank water!
Don't get me wrong, calcium reactors are wonderful for big tanks where other supplementation would be difficult, but on a nano I wouldn't bother with one.
I would also worry about the pH swings due to a calcium reactor in a nano. If you just buy a dosing pump and have it drip kalk at night, it will actually help stabilize your pH.
Another benefit of kalk as opposed to a calcium reactor is that calcium reactors will leech small amounts of unwanted stuff (phosphate, heavy metals, etc.) while kalk not only precipitates out all the nasties before being added to the tank, it actually precipitates phosphate out of the tank water!
Don't get me wrong, calcium reactors are wonderful for big tanks where other supplementation would be difficult, but on a nano I wouldn't bother with one.
ezcompany
Premium Member
revance: my calcium demand is insane for a nano. i need to does 220 ml of each 2 part everyday. kalk is simply not enough. what other nasties are you talking about that may be released?
I am leaning towards the calcium reactor Kinetic suggested me. Scott has been very helpful so far. Im looking for least cost and work, but i am not skimping on low quality equipment. The most important factor is stability, i would like to know what i can leave my tank for 1 month and it will still be solid.
Figuring out the annual upkeep of the LItermeter III, the only cost i incur is the water hardener and baking soda, plus the manual labor of mixing the batch.
Water hardener: $30 (year supply estimate)
Baking soda: $10 (year supply estimate)
plus manual labor
The calcium reactor on the other hand, needs a ph controller, and ph probes need to be replaced annualy at $50 bucks a pop, along with the media.
ph probe: $50 (yearly)
calcium media: $15
co2 refil: $$???
the cost of the litermeter set up and the reactor set up is very similar. (they both suck)
who would've thought i'd run across this dillemma for 24 gallons....
katchupoy, i've read the 2nd link already
and i've heard some bad things about the coralife, but i forget what.
I am leaning towards the calcium reactor Kinetic suggested me. Scott has been very helpful so far. Im looking for least cost and work, but i am not skimping on low quality equipment. The most important factor is stability, i would like to know what i can leave my tank for 1 month and it will still be solid.
Figuring out the annual upkeep of the LItermeter III, the only cost i incur is the water hardener and baking soda, plus the manual labor of mixing the batch.
Water hardener: $30 (year supply estimate)
Baking soda: $10 (year supply estimate)
plus manual labor
The calcium reactor on the other hand, needs a ph controller, and ph probes need to be replaced annualy at $50 bucks a pop, along with the media.
ph probe: $50 (yearly)
calcium media: $15
co2 refil: $$???
the cost of the litermeter set up and the reactor set up is very similar. (they both suck)
who would've thought i'd run across this dillemma for 24 gallons....
katchupoy, i've read the 2nd link already
and i've heard some bad things about the coralife, but i forget what.
Last edited:
revance
New member
Are you using 220mL of BOTH the calcium and alkalinity 2-part or combined 220mL?
If you really are using 220mL each, then yeah... kalk isn't going to cut it. I think that is the equivalent of like 4 gallons of kalk.
I'm suprised you are using that much in a 24g. I guess a reactor is your best bet. As for the "other nasties"... I forget who did the study, but someone analyzed all the different medias and found different stuff being dissolved into the water. Not enough to give up a calcium reactor, but something to consider when deciding on your supplement method. As I said, calc reactors are great, I just figured it was unnecessary for a nano.
If you really are using 220mL each, then yeah... kalk isn't going to cut it. I think that is the equivalent of like 4 gallons of kalk.
I'm suprised you are using that much in a 24g. I guess a reactor is your best bet. As for the "other nasties"... I forget who did the study, but someone analyzed all the different medias and found different stuff being dissolved into the water. Not enough to give up a calcium reactor, but something to consider when deciding on your supplement method. As I said, calc reactors are great, I just figured it was unnecessary for a nano.
revance
New member
Oh, Randy's formula... I thought you were using B-ionic. Makes quite a difference. That isn't nearly as much as if it were the B-Ionic stuff. That is still a bit over a gallon of kalk though, so a calcium reactor would still be beneficial as I doubt you evaporate more than a gallon a day.
ezcompany
Premium Member
yeah, if i was using B-Ionic i'd be flat broke a long time ago. i know its more diluted, but it still seems a bit much.
new breakdown:
2 part with dosing pump: Litermeter III $400 +/-
Water hardener: $30 (year supply estimate)
Baking soda: $10 (year supply estimate)
plus manual labor everytime mixing 5 gallons. It takes me about 18 days to use 1 gallon currently, so it would be every 90 days or 3 months for me to mix up a new batch. probably less as my corals demand more.
Calcium Reactor
PH Probe with calibration stuff $50
Calcium media: $15
CO2: ??? how much is this??
Advantage of Reactor: Not having to worry about alkalinity (IS THIS TRUE???) it would be nice if it was automatically balanced with alk and ca. That being said, how long can i set a reactor and forget about it?
new breakdown:
2 part with dosing pump: Litermeter III $400 +/-
Water hardener: $30 (year supply estimate)
Baking soda: $10 (year supply estimate)
plus manual labor everytime mixing 5 gallons. It takes me about 18 days to use 1 gallon currently, so it would be every 90 days or 3 months for me to mix up a new batch. probably less as my corals demand more.
Calcium Reactor
PH Probe with calibration stuff $50
Calcium media: $15
CO2: ??? how much is this??
Advantage of Reactor: Not having to worry about alkalinity (IS THIS TRUE???) it would be nice if it was automatically balanced with alk and ca. That being said, how long can i set a reactor and forget about it?
revance
New member
C02 costs vary depending on where you live. It is not very expensive and lasts a long time. I think it costs me about $7 to fill my tank.
Yes a "calcium" reactor (CaCO3 reactor) will also add alkalinity to your water in the correct ratio. Most people set it and forget it until there is a change in calcium/alkalinity demand in their tank.
Yes a "calcium" reactor (CaCO3 reactor) will also add alkalinity to your water in the correct ratio. Most people set it and forget it until there is a change in calcium/alkalinity demand in their tank.
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