Ca Reactor or 2-Part doser?

[Horace]

I was curious your opinions on using a Ca reactor vs using a nice 2-part dosing pump with the Randy's DIY 2 part. Though many use a Ca reactor, I would think that if you had a nice dosing pump that will run 24/7 and deliver equal amounts of the 2-part, why spend all that money on a Ca reactor? I was originally going to go with a Ca reactor, but now I have changed my mind and I ordered a Ensign-2 dosing pump for $150 shipped. I just think this is an economical way to get similar if not the same results. It seems that it would be easy to adjust the single dosing pump up or down and not have to screw with a bubble count and drip rate like you do on a Ca reactor. Plus you dont have the yearly cost of refilling your Co2. Please give me your opinions. Thx!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

IMO, if you have a very high demand expected (such as a heavy SPS tank), I might go with the CaCO3/CO2 reactor. For smaller demand, I'd probably go with the two part if you can get the ingredients inexpensively.

In the end, I picked to use limewater for my system.

Anyone else have suggestions?

 

[Horace]

While my tank is going to be heavy SPS, it is only 75g in size. I can totally see using a reactor on a very large tank, but I just dont see the need for one on a sytem of my size. With your 2 part it is dirt cheap to make and I would have to be using ALOT of that stuff to even come close to matching the cost of a reactor and the yearly Co2 and media. I think somone said your DIY comes out to be just over $1/month for an avg tank. Even if its 3 times that that is only $36/yr for your 2 Part. I cant imagine the cost of Co2 and media would come to much if any less than that. Am I missing something?

 

[Horace]

BTW, I currently use Lime waster as well, but I have not had luck getting stable dosing, mainly because I was not using a dosing pump. I also dont like how high my PH runs with it. My Ph is typically about 8.4 - 8.5 and I dont like the idea of using vinegar because of the associated risks. I figure that with the DIY 2 part, its so cheap that I can use a ton of it and still be cheap, and also using a nice 2 part doser that it would be easily tweaked up or down. I think the unit I got will pump between 7ml - 2000ml/day. I dare say that I wont be using anywhere close to 2000ml any time soon )

 

[skripo]

I have been reading this thread with interest and have come to the conclusion that a reactor is the way to go because it is EASY to setup and use on my 180gal. Media selection is another matter, what do you recommend?

 

[Horace]

For a 180g your probably right. Thats a big tank. You would go through ALOT of 2 part in a tank of that size. I think I will be just fine though with my dual doser though for my 75. If I ever upgrade the tank to a bigger one I can use it on something else or just sell it. For now I think it will serve its purpose and save me alot of money on a reactor, regulator, controller, tank, ph monitors, co2 etc etc.....

 

[Redfish]

I have a very large 240 gallon sps system with close to 50 colonies. I have very good growth and coloration. I am and have been using the homemade 2 part system for a long time with an Aqua Medic Doser. The system works fine even in a heavy sps system. I use two clear 2.5 gallon cat litter buckets.

Calcium reactors work well too, I just didn't want to fool with it anymore. I just didn't find it is as easy and as simple as some would lead you to believe.

 

[Horace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6919035#post6919035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Redfish
I have a very large 240 gallon sps system with close to 50 colonies. I have very good growth and coloration. I am and have been using the homemade 2 part system for a long time with an Aqua Medic Doser. The system works fine even in a heavy sps system. I use two clear 2.5 gallon cat litter buckets.

Calcium reactors work well too, I just didn't want to fool with it anymore. I just didn't find it is as easy and as simple as some would lead you to believe.

This is exactly what I had feared. I think some with Ca reactors tend to give the impression that it is a set and forget operation and I think the truth of it is you are often tweaking the flow and bubble count which can be a pain as well. But hey I could be wrong .

 

[steve the plumb]

I have a 150 with a 30 gal sump.I have over 25 acros and many other corals.I have room to place some more(always trying)The 2 part works great for me.I go threw a half gal of the alk mix per week.The calcium part lasts longer.Once you get it dialed in its very simple to maitain.I also have the aqua medic.I like it alot.I have made my doses lowe and more frequent.I add alk every 1 1/2 hrs and cal every 2 1/2 hrs in small doses.I used to dose less often but I figured better to dose smae amount but dose more often to prevent spikes.

 

[Horace]

The dual doser I ordered will be dosing both parts 24/7. I have yet to determine my exact dose amount but I will probably start with ~50ml of each per day and see what happens.

 

[twon8]

Does anyone see a problem with using an automatic feeder to drop in calcium chloride pellets (driveway heat) regularly to maintain calcium. I know some feeders work for a few weeks with several doses a day, so there would be the potential to have it last a month or more. I have a doser i would use to dose the alk part seperately of course. it would be delivered into my cheato tank/water change tank which drains directly to my sump so little chance of burning anything with calcium other than chaeto, and i think its pretty much invincible. I haven't ordered an automatic feeder yet but am close.

Is this a feasible idea?

 

[steve the plumb]

why not use a dosing unit.It would be easier to control the calcium levels.

 

[Horace]

I highly doubt you will get a very accurate and stable delivery with that method. I wouldnt try it if I was you. For the cost of those feeders, you could just buy a dosing pump and know for sure its going to work.

 

[twon8]

I top off with kalk so the demand isn't that great, and i have a single periastalic pump on a shelf. I would be able to adjust the feeding schedule with the use of a timer. it would be just like measuring out ken't turbo calcium. maybe use the feeder during the day along with alk top off and kalk at night? this would be for a 90, and room is somewhat of a concern and i would like to be able to setup up something for a month and i don;t have the room for two big containers of two part.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The feeder could work, but in most situations, I don't like the idea of adding solid particles that might land on something delicate before it dissolves.