Hi, I'm expecting an order for a Geo 618 calcium reactor to arrive in the next week or so for my 120gal sps tank and since this is the first ca reactor I've owned, I'm unsure of what kind of reactor media to buy for it. Geo says they reccomend the 'large grain schuran type' media, but I'm looking for suggestions from people who've had success with their tanks and these reactors. What about the carib-sea A.R.M.? Any others know to be good? thanks.
Calcium Reactor Media for SPS
- Thread starter hatfielj
- Start date
bulfraw215
New member
I use schuran large grain I also add 10% magnesium seems to work great no Po4 spikes
Kolognekoral
New member
The Schuran is certainly a good choice being of high quality. I simply use large coral gravel, which I've been using on and off for 10 years with good results. I have never had PO4 spikes due to the reaktor.
Although there are reports of natural coral giving off excess PO4, I think this is exagerated, as coral DOES contain PO4 in minute amounts, but not enough to set your corals teeth on edge! Logically, what is in the coral can all be reused to create new coral skeletons.
Although there are reports of natural coral giving off excess PO4, I think this is exagerated, as coral DOES contain PO4 in minute amounts, but not enough to set your corals teeth on edge! Logically, what is in the coral can all be reused to create new coral skeletons.
I just got a gEO 612 and it has been running for about 1 month... a GEO618 on a 120 - wow - plenty of capacity there... well anyways, I know a few people using ARM with their GEO and like it. I went with Gen-X by Pacific Coast as GEO recommends a large schuran type media which the Gen-X is. I got Gen-X as this is what PA carries and that is where I got the Ca Rx and all the accessories. So far I have had no problems with it and based on construction of the GEO I can understand why they recommend the larger type media. Good luck with this.
Doubledown
Active member
I run the Gen-X with 10% dolomite (for Mg) and 2 inches of A.R.M. on the bottom in my GEO 624.
The smaller, more compact A.R.M. helps compress the CO2 allowing it to dissipate better and not to build up in the top of the reactor. Been doing this for last 4 months.
Prior to that, I ran 90% A.R.M./10% dolomite chips for a year. I like the larger Gen-X better.
The smaller, more compact A.R.M. helps compress the CO2 allowing it to dissipate better and not to build up in the top of the reactor. Been doing this for last 4 months.
Prior to that, I ran 90% A.R.M./10% dolomite chips for a year. I like the larger Gen-X better.
Horace
New member
I plan to go with ARM media when my reactor arrives. I am hearing that the ARM media will dissolve at a higher PH which means you wont need as much Co2 to dissolve it. It also apparently has the lowest Po4 of any media. The only drawback is if you run your ph too low, it can turn to mud easier. So long as you dont allow that to happen, I think ARM may be the way to go.
bluefaceking
New member
Anyone using Rowalith C+ Media?
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