Calcium Reactor and Protein Skimmer Recommendation for a 450 gallon?

[oxx155]

Did you check out the GEO calcium reactor I linked a few posts back?

I did, but check out this deal

Geo Calcium Reactor 618 Reactor Package

Includes:

Geo 618 Reactor
Milwaukee MA957 CO2 Regulator
Milwaukee SMS122 PH Controller
10lb CO2 Tank
1 - 10lb container of GenX CRM
MaxiJet 1200 feed pump

Reg Price - 673.50
Package Price - 638.90

Do you think this would be good and it is a good deal?

 

[Waxxiemann]

Yeah, I think that IS a good deal. If you load that tank with SPS you'll be filling it with calcium more often but big deal. I'd probably jump on it. What does everyone else think? Another nice thing is that the 618 runs on an ehiem so it will draw very little.

 

[pwhitby]

i would recommend the new ORCA needlewheel skimmer from premium aquatics:

here is a discussion on mine:
http://www.mycomas.com/content/view/101/87/

There is more information in the premium aquatics sponsors forum.

Cost is $1299 for limited time then 1499.

This skimmer is the best I have had experience with.

Paul.

 

[oxx155]

Yeah, I think that IS a good deal. If you load that tank with SPS you'll be filling it with calcium more often but big deal. I'd probably jump on it.

Like you said earlier in the thread though, if you can spend a little more to get a better deal then you should. So, I may actually get the Geo 624 which is better suited for my size tank and lots of corals. and its only another $70.

i would recommend the new ORCA needlewheel skimmer from premium aquatics:

Thanks, but I am already purchasing an ASM G-6 rated for 1200 gallons for $450.

 

[pwhitby]

FWIW:

The ASM g6 is what i took off.

 

[oxx155]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380497#post10380497 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pwhitby
FWIW:

The ASM g6 is what i took off.

Mine is modified with 3 Sedra 9000's which should provide better skimmage.
I just don't get the $1,000+ price tags for these Protein Skimmers these days. Is there really that much material and labor involved?

 

[Waxxiemann]

Especially when your girlfriend brings you back down to earth and says "you spent WHAT on a plastic tube and pump!?!?!:mad2: :mad2: "

It becomes hard to justify sometimes.

 

[pwhitby]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10381359#post10381359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oxx155
Mine is modified with 3 Sedra 9000's which should provide better skimmage.
I just don't get the $1,000+ price tags for these Protein Skimmers these days. Is there really that much material and labor involved?

Mine was a modified ASM G6 as well. In addition I had one of the pumps refitted as a recirculating skimmer. The issue I had was heat from the three sedras, it would also intermitantly overflow. Each time the head was removed to clean it you need to turn it off. When you restore power the surge of bubbles and air blow through the neck and half fill the cup.

Since I have used both I will say this, yes there is a huge difference in the cost of the materials. The ASM is made of a very thin walled acrylic that is kind of opaque. It does the job, but can crack very easily. I think thats why they sell spare collection cups. I mention this only if you are thinking of doing any recirc modifications, and to be careful pusing those pipes through uniseals.

The ORCA is leaps and bounds over the ASM. The foam it produces is very stable, once its dialed in it consistantly produces foam. On the ASM I had to repeatedly clean the venturis. I havent had to do this yet on the ORCA Needlewheel unit.

Heat was an issue for me....I ran the skimmer (ASM) in a separate sump that I could control water height in. Unless you havea gate valve mod and run it fully recirculating the water height it sits in will have a major effect on the height of the water/air interface in the barrel due to pressure and resistance of the venturi to suck air. The easy option is to site it in an area that has a constant water height.

The ASM will work most probably on a 450g, but is it as good as the ORCA Needlewheel....no where near.

Paul.

 

[pwhitby]

FWIW:

This is my tank,

Paul.

 

[Waxxiemann]

Of it's worth man, that is AWESOME!

 

[oxx155]

That is a very nice tank pwhitby. Hopefully in a couple of years my tank will look as good.
The ASM I am purchasing has a 1.5" Gate Valve Mod, is fully recirculating with 3 sedra 9000's, and will sit in a sump that will have a pretty constant water height.
I also have plenty of air flow throughout the room (with 3 20" fans), a dehumidifier, and air conditioner. This should keep the entire system (including equipment) at a controllable temperature.
Money unfortunately is a little tight at this time (I wish it were different then I would buy the best), but I am getting married next year and taking a 2 week honeymoon in italy, so being allowed to do what I am doing now is a god-send from the future wife.
So, I agreed that I would bargain shop and get what I "needed" instead of what I "wanted". Maybe in the future I will be able to upgrade.
Don't get me wrong, I REALLY APPRECIATE the advice I am getting, the pics I am seeing, and the equipment information.
Thanks to everyone

 

[oxx155]

Oops, forgot to ask, what Calcium Reactor do you have running on your system pwhitby?
Thanks

 

[pwhitby]

The one I have is knop HD I believe. I really nice workhorse of a unit.

Like I said, the ASM G6 is fine. I chose it for the same reasons you did. Just be careful getting the pipes into the uniseals, they are extremely tight (which is good), but you can easily crack the unit.

What are you feeding the skimmer with (as in water flow and pump). If you are on a full recirc modification it was not a large bore pipe that was used as a feed if I remember correctly.

paul.

 

[Doc's69]

I have a link on used eq. for a Schuran jetstream 2 for 450, should take care of your needs http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1165970

 

[sammie]

You cannot go wrong with any GEO product. You cannot get the skimmers anymore but the Ca reactors are top quality and customer service is excellent.

 

[oxx155]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10382239#post10382239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pwhitby

What are you feeding the skimmer with (as in water flow and pump). If you are on a full recirc modification it was not a large bore pipe that was used as a feed if I remember correctly.

paul.

I have attached a pic of the skimmer that the seller sent me. I am having it shipped on Monday and should have it by the next week.
I am going to run either a Iwaki 55RLT or Iwaki 100RLT on it. Although he recommended up to 500 gph so probably just the 55RLT or maybe even a 35RLT I have. Don't know yet. He even recommended that I could connect one of my overflows to the skimmer as the input, what does everyone think about that?

I have a link on used eq. for a Schuran jetstream 2 for 450, should take care of your needs

Thanks, but I think I have decided I am going to go with a Geo 624. I just need to get the $707 together for the package.

You cannot go wrong with any GEO product. You cannot get the skimmers anymore but the Ca reactors are top quality and customer service is excellent.

This is what I have heard from many people and I am 99% going with a Geo.
Thanks

 

[oxx155]

One more "stupid" thing.
My father is involved in this project, he is helping "fund" the tank and its partially his.
He believes the Sea-Lab No. 28 and 14 supplements are enough to keep the tank fine with calcium and other supplements.
I keep telling him that he will have to have 27 blocks of No. 28 and god knows how much No. 14 in the tank at all times. He thinks that could last months before having to get refilled, problem is I don't know how long they last and can't fight him on the fact.
He thinks getting the Geo Calcium Reactor is a waste of money and a safety hazard with the CO2 tank.
Does anyone have any information about those supplements that I can pass on to him to make him realize he is wrong?
Thanks

 

[sammie]

What documentation does he have to justify his claim that the supplements will work apart from the manufactures claims.
The GEO calcium reactor has a proven track record with hundreds of users and there is no safety hazard with the CO2 tank if it's secured to the wall. Also once you get it set up you can forget about it as the CO2 should last almost a year and the media probably longer.

 

[oxx155]

Also once you get it set up you can forget about it as the CO2 should last almost a year and the media probably longer.

Is this really true? I thought it would have to get replaced monthly or bi-monthly.

 

[pwhitby]

i use a 20lb tank and it lasts about 12-14mo.