CA Reactor vs. BRS Dosing Pumps
- Thread starter Airborne
- Start date
I think a Ca reactor can be cheaper over time, but it does require handling a pressurized carbon dioxide tank, which needs to be done carefully. They also seem to require more attention to calibration than the dosing pumps.
The two-parts do raise salinity over time, which can be an issue. They upset the major ion balance a lot more, although a decent water changes schedule makes that unimportant.
I don't have any idea about costs, but setting up a calcium reactor is noticeably more expensive.
The two-parts do raise salinity over time, which can be an issue. They upset the major ion balance a lot more, although a decent water changes schedule makes that unimportant.
I don't have any idea about costs, but setting up a calcium reactor is noticeably more expensive.
Allmost
New member
I like dosing individually, cause first of all, you have control over each parameter. MG, CA, KH all independent.
cost, I'm not too sure, but you can find the salts for dosing at cheap prices.
calcium reactor needs alot of checking, recalibrating and ... which I am not good at
you will also need PH probes and ... . it will also make your system run on a lower PH.
I have been using Balling method individual, bought the first batch of salts from fauna marine, but found a chemical company around here for a fraction of the cost ! I still buy some of the stuff from fauna marine though. like mineral salts and some trace elements.
cost, I'm not too sure, but you can find the salts for dosing at cheap prices.
calcium reactor needs alot of checking, recalibrating and ... which I am not good at
you will also need PH probes and ... . it will also make your system run on a lower PH.I have been using Balling method individual, bought the first batch of salts from fauna marine, but found a chemical company around here for a fraction of the cost ! I still buy some of the stuff from fauna marine though. like mineral salts and some trace elements.
I think the key factor is your system volume. For large SPS dominated tanks of 150 gal and larger, the volumes of two part needed on an ongoing basis become a bit awkward, both practically and finanically.
Figure 600 to 1000 dollars for inital investment for a Ca. Rx vs. 300 to 1000 dollards for a three part dosing system (possibly could get by with two BRS pumps and two containers for about 200).
You can get a good idea of chemical costs from the BRS website for the two part system. Dosing at 120 ml daily would cost about 70 dollars a month.
For the ca. reactor I experience, one cylinder re-fill ($30) every two years and about $40 per year in meadia (about 60 bucks per year or 5 dollars per month).
Lastly, both can be used together to form a more reliable (i.e., 2 seperate and redundant systems) system that provides the fine tuning capabilities of the two/three part dosing stystem with the rock solid stability of the ca. Rx.
Figure 600 to 1000 dollars for inital investment for a Ca. Rx vs. 300 to 1000 dollards for a three part dosing system (possibly could get by with two BRS pumps and two containers for about 200).
You can get a good idea of chemical costs from the BRS website for the two part system. Dosing at 120 ml daily would cost about 70 dollars a month.
For the ca. reactor I experience, one cylinder re-fill ($30) every two years and about $40 per year in meadia (about 60 bucks per year or 5 dollars per month).
Lastly, both can be used together to form a more reliable (i.e., 2 seperate and redundant systems) system that provides the fine tuning capabilities of the two/three part dosing stystem with the rock solid stability of the ca. Rx.
I got a used Master-Flex pump for about $120 that would be fine for automated two-part dosing, even in fairly large tanks. Containers are basically free. $600 seems fairly overpriced for setting up an automated two-part dosing system. Magnesium generally doesn't change quickly enough to need automated dosing, IMO.
I agree that the calcium reactor is cheaper over the long run. The break-even time might be fairly long, though.
I agree that the calcium reactor is cheaper over the long run. The break-even time might be fairly long, though.
I think you may have misread what I wrote.
I wrote 600 to 1000 for a ca. rx. system
I wrote 300 (or even maybe 200) to 1000 for a two or three part dosing system. The high-end being the Profilux and aquatronica type sytems some reefers use.
bmwaaron
New member
I think you are way off here. If 2 cups of Soda Ash makes 1 gallon which is 3.7 liters it would last you 31 days at your rate of 120 ml. If you buy 1 gallon at a time which is $17.00 it would last you 8 months approx. Alk is going to be the one you use the most.
Just wanted to give a fair comparison.
map95003
New member
My DT is only 75g and I have a 55g sump (total volume ~110g), for over a year I was trying kalk, then 2-part. Then I got tired of always having to mix stuff, instead of spending the time looking at the tank....so I invested in a korallin CA reactor....best decision I made for my tank so far, it took about a week to get it dialed in correctly. I check it every few days but I rarely ever have to touch it....no more mixing chemicals....and in the long run it would work out to be cheaper.
Cons...my pH did drop a bit since I've been using the CA reactor (from 8.0-8.3 with Kalk and 2-part to 7.8-8.1 with the reactor), probably from excess CO2...but my corals don't seem to care so I don't pay too much attention to it.
Cons...my pH did drop a bit since I've been using the CA reactor (from 8.0-8.3 with Kalk and 2-part to 7.8-8.1 with the reactor), probably from excess CO2...but my corals don't seem to care so I don't pay too much attention to it.
trwells
New member
A 7 lb container from BRS ($17) at 120 ml a day will last about 190 days for calcium (likely longer for alk unless you dose more). So, realistically at that consumption rate we are talking easily under $100 a year for a two part. I spent around $200 for the pumps.
I agree that on larger more demanding tanks a calcium reactor is cheaper after initial costs, but I think the difference may have been exaggerated.
Mixing chemicals is another issue. It does take about 10 minutes of my time ever months to mix my 2 part. But I would imagine that tinkering with the RX would take up that much time as well.
The other issue is CaRX add in proportion to coral usage. So, unless make up water has your target params you have to dose to make corrections anyway.
I am happy with my two part so far. However, there does exist a point where I think it would be worth switching to a reactor. Where that point is and whether I reach that point on this tank remains to be seen.
I agree that on larger more demanding tanks a calcium reactor is cheaper after initial costs, but I think the difference may have been exaggerated.
Mixing chemicals is another issue. It does take about 10 minutes of my time ever months to mix my 2 part. But I would imagine that tinkering with the RX would take up that much time as well.
The other issue is CaRX add in proportion to coral usage. So, unless make up water has your target params you have to dose to make corrections anyway.
I am happy with my two part so far. However, there does exist a point where I think it would be worth switching to a reactor. Where that point is and whether I reach that point on this tank remains to be seen.
Allmost
New member
not that good, but what do you expect from a 20 dollar pump
after I Installed a couple of one way things so the liquid doesnt go back down on the tube (aqualifter is below tank level) its been somewhat better, in 1 second, I get about 2-3 ml of liquid, so not that accurate. it also varies, like for my mg, I get 1 ml in 1 sec., which I think is related to the weight of the liquid.
soon, I will have to upgrade it.
dr.sinister
New member
hey Bertoni where did you get you used dosing pump from?
BMWarron and TRWells,
I apologize if I miscalcualted or misrepresented the difference in cost, but I don't think I did. The OP said he uses BRS' recipe #1. I looked that up on Google and and saw this page for a cost of 70. I compared that cost to the costs I personally experience for my CA. reactor. I read the website as it makes one gallon of each part. That is the OP's current cost, I presume.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ium-and-alkalinity-total-package-large-1.html
I do agree he can use a DIY 2-part and that will be much less costly, but that was not the question/comparison the OP posed.
Chuck
I apologize if I miscalcualted or misrepresented the difference in cost, but I don't think I did. The OP said he uses BRS' recipe #1. I looked that up on Google and and saw this page for a cost of 70. I compared that cost to the costs I personally experience for my CA. reactor. I read the website as it makes one gallon of each part. That is the OP's current cost, I presume.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ium-and-alkalinity-total-package-large-1.html
I do agree he can use a DIY 2-part and that will be much less costly, but that was not the question/comparison the OP posed.
Chuck
Allmost
New member
Ohh, I didnt post about that lol
but yes, exactly what you said, my values for KH and ca and MG are all constant, but the amount dosed daily isnt lol
it could dose 60 ml one day and 50 ml the other day, but I made the solution more deluted so I wont over dose anything. so far no Issues, but its the worry u have at the back of your head u know
I still test and check it every 2 days, just cause I dont trust it, hope this makes more sense 
I saved 500 bucks, so I'll test as much as u want me to
haha
d0ughb0y
Active member
That does not look right. 120ml daily is about a gallon a month. worse case will be $20 if you just by the gallon package and pay the exorbitant shipping charge.
unless that included depreciation cost for the pumps.
trwells
New member
Chuckreef,
I see where you got the numbers and my calculation did not account for magnesium. However, even with the kit you posted it would not cost over $150 a year because magnesium does not typically need to be added as frequently as alk and magnesium.
I think the confusing lies in the fact that BRS sells the material in "1 gallon." This is volume of dry material. The description says 1 gallon of material makes 7-8 gallons of solution (depending on the particular chemical) and 120 ml a day is about a gallon every 31 days. So one order will last 7-8 months or less than $150 for 14-16 months not including shipping.
1 gallon of dry material is not equal to 1 gallon of solution.
I see where you got the numbers and my calculation did not account for magnesium. However, even with the kit you posted it would not cost over $150 a year because magnesium does not typically need to be added as frequently as alk and magnesium.
I think the confusing lies in the fact that BRS sells the material in "1 gallon." This is volume of dry material. The description says 1 gallon of material makes 7-8 gallons of solution (depending on the particular chemical) and 120 ml a day is about a gallon every 31 days. So one order will last 7-8 months or less than $150 for 14-16 months not including shipping.
1 gallon of dry material is not equal to 1 gallon of solution.
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