Calcium Reactor Help

[GrimReefer82]

I want to build a calcium reactor but I have a few questions. Do you have to have a co2 system for a calcium reactor to work? If not can someone point me in the direction of a DIY without it? I have a few old seaclone skimmers that I may be able to make a reactor out of. I have heard of it being done before but I can't seem to find it. What are the pros and cons of using co2 for the reactor?

 

[gmneil]

if i'm not mistaken you need the co2 to disolve the calcium media in the reactor, which inturn releases calcium into the water, so i'm not sure if you can do it at all without co2

 

[GrimReefer82]

I read something on this site I believe about using some other type of media before the calcium reactor to lower the ph. Man I wish I could remember what it was called! It's little beads of something that have to be replaced regularly. I think it was on a sugar dosing thread.

Would I be better off to make a kalk doser/stirrer instead and use pickling lime?