Calcium Reactor Media...

[E_Aquatics]

Hello,

As I get closer to finishing my 300g tank build I need to order media for my calcium reactor and I wanted to know what do you guys recommend. This will be my first time using a calcium reactor so Im not really familiar with all the different types (Brand) of media. The two that seem to be the most popular are Reborn by Two Little Fishies and Caribsea Arm Reactor Media which is available in different sizes (small, coarse and extra coarse). Any help as to which media I should use will be appreciated.

 

[bertoni]

All primary reactor media should be mostly calcium carbonate. There are some magnesium media (dolomite) as well. Both the products you list primarily are calcium carbonate, so the issue mostly comes down to possible contamination, particularly by phosphate. I haven't used those media, but I suspect they're both fine. I'd choose by convenience and cost, personally, but I've never run a calcium reactor, so I don't have any personal experience.

 

[E_Aquatics]

All primary reactor media should be mostly calcium carbonate. There are some magnesium media (dolomite) as well. Both the products you list primarily are calcium carbonate, so the issue mostly comes down to possible contamination, particularly by phosphate. I haven't used those media, but I suspect they're both fine. I'd choose by convenience and cost, personally, but I've never run a calcium reactor, so I don't have any personal experience.

Thank you Jonathan

 

[d2mini]

I had the coarse arm and couldn't get that stuff to dissolve.
Switched to Reborn and love it.

I do want to add a little ZeoMag for magnesium.

 

[E_Aquatics]

I had the coarse arm and couldn't get that stuff to dissolve.
Switched to Reborn and love it.

I do want to add a little ZeoMag for magnesium.

I've read nothing but good things about Reborn"¦ I might just give it a try and see how it works for be, if I don't like it I'll switch to something else.

 

[dburt520]

I am using the ARM Extra Course and am having very good results with it. I have my reactor set up a little different than most (I don't control my ALK input via my effluent amount, I set that to a steady drip/stream ALWAYS, I use the AquariumPlants carbon doser with a set bubble size and count and adjust my ALK input via my PH level... If I need more ALK, I lower the PH in the reactor).

I am running between 6.78-6.82 PH in the reactor and it is holding my ALK at 8.5 going on 4 months now.