Calcium reactor: GEO or Reef Octopus?

[Leopardshark]

Hello all,

I´m deciding between a GEO 618 calcium reactor or the Reef Octopus 200.

At least in paper both units look very good, even do RO´s pump is DC and I really like the one that came with my RO Elite 200-int skimmer.

A friend of mine told me the RO is harder to calibrate, but that´s from what he´s heard.

Which one would you get? comments? experiences?

Thanks in advance.

Marco

 

[Wrangy]

I have a GEO 618 (I think lol) and even though it's my first time using a calcium reactor it's a wonderful reactor and it works a treat so I would definitely recommend it from my experience easy to tune, use and run!

But I don't have anything to compare it with in personal experience though lol

 

[sparker1663]

There are a few things to look for. Personally, I find them all about the same to "tune" I don't see a lot of difference between designs or brands that would affect tuning. Some may be a little easier on gas than others, but otherwise they are all much of a muchness.

Personally I think the main differences come down to these things:
1. Quality. Geo are a nice solid design, quality acrylic.
2. Pump placement. I do actually like a pump at the top rather than the bottom where the Geo has it. Makes it much easier to pull the pump and clean/service (but thats just me)
3. How easy it is to pull apart. I love the simple thumb screws at the top of the geo and the plumbing is easy to pull apart too. A million times easier than my Korralin which has a thosand stainless screws and nuts holding the lid down....

 

[Leopardshark]

Thanks for your input. Actually I´ve read that the pump on top is a bad design as it can stop sucking water caused by co2 bubbles, hence the majority of reactors have the pump in the lower part.

 

[lynchmob3000]

Geo


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[sparker1663]

Thanks for your input. Actually I´ve read that the pump on top is a bad design as it can stop sucking water caused by co2 bubbles, hence the majority of reactors have the pump in the lower part.

Yeah I could imagine it could cause issues, but can't say I've ever experienced it. If anything, it's a benefit as it ensures that the c02 doesn't sit in a pocket at the top of the reactor, but in fact gets chopped up by that pump impeller :dance:

That being said, I have a Geo, a Korralin and a Aquarium Engineering CARX and they are all rippers. The AE unit is a tank though :love2:

 

[jda]

The pump on the top is pure brilliance. The buildup of CO2 that can happen allows you to turn your reactor better with more appropriate CO2 input.

For me, reverse flow and Ehiem Pump (which can run dry) are a must.

I have had Korallin for about two decades and I love the pumps on the top.

 

[Piper27]

Geo's are nice but I got a new sro 5000 dual chambered 8" which is insane, great build quality, the top is screw on with no freaking screws! That right there sold me and it seals great. Also it has a beast of a recirculation pump which some of the old Geo 618s had undersized ehiems on them. The tuning of any calcium reactor should be the same though, unless your undersized then you will have issues with co2 and lines clogging if not setup right.
Any reactor will work as long as you run it right, with a masterflex pump, carbon doser electronic regulator and a pH probe to make sure it's running right daily. Even some don't feel the need for a probe with this setup.

 

[Leopardshark]

Thank you for your input. Actually Geo's rectors are out of stock so I think if by this week they don't go back in stock again, I will order the Reef Octopus, which I think is a great product as well.