Ca Reactor vs. dosing Kalkwasser
- Thread starter dtaranath
- Start date
There are two types of calcium reactors. One is usually called a kalk or Nielsen reactor. This type simply stirs the kalk into water for you, and is usually connected to a water input.
The other type uses CO2 to dissolve calcium carbonate.
Dosing limewater is just the manual version of the kalk reactor. It has the advantage of letting various impurities precipitate to the bottom of the dosing container.
These articles might help:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
The other type uses CO2 to dissolve calcium carbonate.
Dosing limewater is just the manual version of the kalk reactor. It has the advantage of letting various impurities precipitate to the bottom of the dosing container.
These articles might help:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
Dan Thrash
New member
hopefully this isnt hijacking the thread...
do a lot of people use both systems or just one or the other? do you not necessarily need to have both types? i'm starting to plan a 90 gal mainly SPS tank and i' wasnt sure if i should plan on getting a calc and/or kalk reactor. what do you think?
do a lot of people use both systems or just one or the other? do you not necessarily need to have both types? i'm starting to plan a 90 gal mainly SPS tank and i' wasnt sure if i should plan on getting a calc and/or kalk reactor. what do you think?
I'm sure somewhere someone is using any combination you can imagine. 
You could start with a limewater drip, and if that doesn't add enough calcium, add a CO2-driven reactor. That's what I'd do.
The lime reactors aren't going to be able to add as much calcium as a limewater-vinegar drip can, and add more impurities to the water. They are more automated, though.
You could start with a limewater drip, and if that doesn't add enough calcium, add a CO2-driven reactor. That's what I'd do.The lime reactors aren't going to be able to add as much calcium as a limewater-vinegar drip can, and add more impurities to the water. They are more automated, though.
