CA reactor on a Nano?

[bushwick]

Hi All,

Do you think it's worth adding a CA reactor to a 80L (20G) nano? I have no problems maintaining a CA level of 430 PPM with Seachem Reef Complete but would the tank benifit from a CA Reactor or would I tend to suffer from large PH swings due to the CO2 being added to the reator? Now my PH sits from 7.8 (morning) to 8.20 (evening).

Cheers
Che

 

[gjuarez3]

I wouldnt do it. Like you mentioned you would probably have big ph swings. I use B IOnic and it works well for me.

 

[Mikeeal]

If you're maintaining a level of 430, why mess with it?

 

[phenom5]

If you're maintaining a level of 430, why mess with it?

exactly...if it ain't broke...

 

[bushwick]

Levels are definetly good, not complaining about that. I just like my toys as such

However adding this may cause more headaches than anything else.

Thanks for the input.

Cheers
Che

 

[cmondo]

Well if you plan on adding a lot of sps and having them grow out I say why not. There are several ways to monitor you ph from the CA reactor. Also do you have a sump or a fuge on that?

But yeah I have never seen a CA reactor on a 20, if your going to upgrade eventually, why not try it out now?

 

[bushwick]

Never upgrading to a full blown reef again. Just finished with a 280G and now i'm doing a 20G and quite happy with it. The 280G had everything on it, 3 steams, 2 wave boxes, ca reactors, twin beckett skimmers, 400W halides, 1HP chiller, Ozone etc etc.

The running cost was crazy so i decided to go nano.

This tank has 1 x 150W halide (Ushio 10K), 1 x70W halide (Astralux 14K). Dupla PH controler, Tunze temp controler hooked upto a cooling fan, Tunze osmolator unit, water turn over 40 times/hr ++. Running an deltec MCE600 protein skimmer and zeovit.

No sump / no fuge as i don't have space. The filter is the LR and SSB.

Tank is mixed softies, LPS, Clams and i will add one or two SPS once the nutrient levels are all at Zero.

 

[smy168]

I'm a big fan of B-Ionic once a day, let's me tinker with my tanks.

 

[abernaka]

bushwick,

hello- just thought I could throw some pennies in the pot here.
I believe that the ph swing you talked about is normal. Thats why Ph tests should be done in the afternoon or @ 70% of the photo cycle and why people whom have them( CA reactors) automate them with the photo cycle. I have good results with sally-jo's receipt from GARF.org I made some slight changes to her regiment to meet my nano needs. Her receipt is for 50g tanks. I also think that its better to go critter happiness not test tube numbers.
hope this helps.