Best option to keep Calcium Up?

[Dustin1300]

I'm wanting everyones' opinions on this as I previously would just add calcium additives. I'm not looking for something to put into my new tanks/sump that will keep calcium levels up in a more automated and steady fashion. Previously I did not keep very much SPS but have just gotten a tank going that I am looking to build much better than my previous (My first tank!). Anyways, this system is up and just moved over inhabitants/corals from my other system. Am moving in about a year and will plan on buying a 180+ Gallon System so please keep that in mind on recommendations!

My steps thus far:
- Increased water volume from 55 to 75
- Addition of a SUMP
- Replacement of my Coralife SS 125 (Purchased a Super Reef Octopus 3000)

My next action to address before adding SPS corals is going to be getting some type of equipment in to dose my tank with calcium. Currently it has some various softies and LPS corals that I plan on keeping in 1/3 of the tank where flow is not as high. (GOT RID OF MUSHROOMS AND SOLD TO SOME LOCALS)

Anyways, below are some of the options that I've considered. Please comment and provide opinions on what route I should go....I don't plan on making this purchase until later this month because I've spent quite a bit upgrading the system the past month.

- Midwest Aquatic 7x15 The Sulfur DeNITRIFIER up to 250g - $339.95
- Korallin BioDenitrator S-1502 w/ Eheim 1048 Pump - $359.95
- KORALLIN C-1502 PACKAGE DEAL and Tank - $599.99
- GEO 618 Calcium Reactor Economy Package with Tank - $694.51
- 2-part Doser (Not sure whether this compares to the other options listed above but I've seen great results with it)
- Possible a DIY Reactor?!?

Thanks for your help and hope to see one pop up on the selling forum so I can save a little moola. :dance:

 

[Navyblue]

The denitrifiers are not calcium reactors.

Best option? I guess there is none. Do what works for you. Kalk dosing, 2 parts, calcium reactors, none of them are new, do a search and you'll find the pro and cons of each.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'm thinking of 2 part dosing as it seems like a simple solution and relatively inexpensive. I've known a local reefer that does so and seems to have good success. Based on this I'm thinking I'm going to go with that option. Below is what I'm looking to purchase:

- 2 Part Calcium, Alk, Magnesium

I guess I would then want to automate things so it was more consistent.....The two part media will be cheap but the dosers are expensive as I already knew:

- Reef Doser

Anyone know of a doser that is reliable and more inexpensive than the one I just mentioned? I'm going to put out a WTB and look on the forums but am looking to a good/inexpensive doser! Gravity feeding will not work either as it will not work with the system. I can tuck three jugs on side of sump and dose through pump....Thanks again for all your help RCers!

 

[NYCBOB]

i dose kalkwasser. very easy and best to do at night.

 

[Dustin1300]

I've seen that mentioned....Is this also true of the two part too? I think after doing some further research that the LiterMeter III would be the best option with two remote pumps so I can dose the alk, calcium, and magnesium.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

I use RHF's two-part with excellent results. I connected the containers holding (baked) bicarbonate of soda and calcium chloride to individual peri pumps (2ml/minute). Pumps are also connected to individual digital timers. I could have bought a GHL independent dosing unit, but my peri pumps are of superior quality.

I dose the bicarbonate solution during the night (in three stages to ensure that pH will not rise too high. I dose the calcium solution in the morning and about 2.5 hours after the last dose of bicarbonate of soda.

Thanks

 

[James77]

Anyone know of a doser that is reliable and more inexpensive than the one I just mentioned? I'm going to put out a WTB and look on the forums but am looking to a good/inexpensive doser! Gravity feeding will not work either as it will not work with the system. I can tuck three jugs on side of sump and dose through pump....Thanks again for all your help RCers!

I'd avoid the doser you linked to. BulkReefSupply sells a couple different dosers, all are great- plus they also sell all the two part ingredients.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...lumbing/dosing-pumps-and-auto-top-off-systems


Profilux makes a stand alone doser that comes in 2-4 dosers per unit. It is more expensive- but not much more than the one you linked, plus the quality is top notch.

http://bwiplumbing.com/index.php/ghl-profilux/dosing-pumps.html

The LM is an excellent dosing system as well, but pretty pricy. They work great against long runs and high head, so if you wanted your jugs on another floor- they'd be best. You only really need two dosers, as the magnesium does not get dosed too often.

 

[jmoney]

the sro 3000 is also way to big for your system, i use esv b-ionic 2 part, and mag dosed through brs dosers on digital timers, pretty simple, I check maybe every two months to see if I need to refill anything

 

[Dustin1300]

:uzi:

the sro 3000 is also way to big for your system, i use esv b-ionic 2 part, and mag dosed through brs dosers on digital timers, pretty simple, I check maybe every two months to see if I need to refill anything

The SRO 3000 is being used as I plan on upgrading the system to a 180+ next spring. Buying the 1000/2000 would have been a waste of money should I have went that route....

 

[neoalchemist74]

I say DIY reactor, w/Ph controller and kalk for top off. Look for a glassblowing shop in your area, study the best cal reactors and make a drawing w/ what you want. Go to a beer brewing supply store and get a co2 bottle and cellinoid. Look for a Precision Marine Ph controller on line used ,cheap! I have a Milwaukee controller I' like to get rid of but I'm sure your not going to drive to Denver.

 

[Dustin1300]

I would like to ultimately use the LiterMeter III with remote pumps but until then why can I not just purchase three Aqua Lifter pumps and buy timers for each and run for a few minutes each night? This would provide everthing I need for now and can use a more granular approach once I get money to purchase the LiterMeter? Anyone happen to do this?

 

[neoalchemist74]

you should try just kalkwasser w/afloat valve first to see if your evaporation rate doesn't
come close just keep an eye on your ph and if it gets to high then switch to ro/di water.

 

[sjm817]

Take a read here for some good background info:
How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

IMO, Kalk ATO is the best place to start. You need topoff anyway, and it is very simple and inexpensive to add to the system. If Kalk can not meet the tanks demands, then you can add a ca rx or 2 part to make up the balance.

 

[Dustin1300]

Right now I'm using a GAP ATO System that is keeping the water topped off in my return section of the sump.

The problem with running the kalk would be that I need something that will push the mix up from my basement which would be nearly a 10 foot climb up to my tank. I'm then unsure of how that would work even if I did get a pump as I would not want a pump pressurized all the time. I could use an extra salt bucket and mix kalk in it and then have a digital timer that would only pressurize to the pump for a certain amount of time each night. That would only be topped off should the tank be low on water.

Any suggestions on a pump that would work with that set up?

 

[sjm817]

Are you changing the ATO setup? What distance are you pumping now?

 

[Navyblue]

You could pump top off water through a container filled with kalk which then overflow into your sump in a similar fashion to Tunze kalk doser.

 

[Dustin1300]

Are you changing the ATO setup? What distance are you pumping now?

Right now the RO/DI system stays on and is down in my basement. The water then travels in tube about 8-10 feet up to my GAP ATO system in the sump return section. That is how it is currently configured. Any good ideas on what I could set up that would feed the limewater to the tank.

****Thanks for the link to the pros/cons. Not yet had a chance to read every word but helped explain a lot of things and believe that kalk would be my best bet at this point. :thumbsup:

 

[sjm817]

Direct RO/DI topoff has its disadvantages. The potential for a big problem with an unlimited supply of topoff is one of them. The other is you are making water at very small increments which will use up your DI quickly. RODI is better made in large batches.

Pumping topoff 10' is not an insurmountable problem. A decent peristaltic pump will do it as will a decent size water pump. Most submersibles have a 12' max head. You dont need a lot of GPH.

 

[Dustin1300]

With limited space under my tank I think the best option would be pumping the kalk up to the sump in place already. I could then set up a container (Instant Ocean Bucket) in basement that would mix the kalk and then could have a pump in it to pump upstairs.

That being said....My design would be as follows:

Set up a container in basement that would be topped off by RODI water using my GAP controller. I could then hook the LiterMeter III up and run the draw line from the container's lime water (where settling has not happened). Then from the existing line I could tie into the LiterMeter's feed line. From what I've seen this is the best pump for the job per manufacturer specs:

This incredible lift enables the LiterMeter III™ to pump over 60 feet above itself at a flow rate of over 250 ml/min. It can also draw up from 25 feet below.

 

[Dustin1300]

Direct RO/DI topoff has its disadvantages. The potential for a big problem with an unlimited supply of topoff is one of them. The other is you are making water at very small increments which will use up your DI quickly. RODI is better made in large batches.

Pumping topoff 10' is not an insurmountable problem. A decent peristaltic pump will do it as will a decent size water pump. Most submersibles have a 12' max head. You dont need a lot of GPH.

With what your saying I could do it better in batches by using a timer for the GAP top off system. This could then create RO/DI twice a week in my container and I could manually mix the kalk into the container and have the LiterMeter III pump off the limewater like I earlier explained.