So I currently use a dosing pump to keep up with calc, alk and mag but im forever adjusting it and cant seem to get my levels where I want them. I have always wanted a calcium reactor as they seem to be unbeatable for stability and the best tanks I have seen seem to run them. A few people have said that you only need a reactor on 100 gallon plus tanks. What are peoples thoughts on this? Does anyone run a calcium reactor on a small ish system?
Calcium reactor on 60 Gallon sps tank
- Thread starter SCWA Reef
- Start date
Fluctuating parameters tend to reflect a tanks maturity. Especially if you find it difficult to determine your tanks consumption of the major elements every week/day.
To answer your question. A reactor will help you make sure that you add the same exact amount every day. However it wont correct any current fluctuations if they are caused by the aftermath of a cycle.
I would recommend tuning each pump at a time. If you try and tweak all three parameters at the same time, you wont be able to hone in on the correct doses.
Get Mg in check, then Alk and then Ca. Then start over again. This will make it much more easy.
I used a small reactor on a small system once. It had a greater impact on pH, but other than that the reactor performed as expected.
To answer your question. A reactor will help you make sure that you add the same exact amount every day. However it wont correct any current fluctuations if they are caused by the aftermath of a cycle.
I would recommend tuning each pump at a time. If you try and tweak all three parameters at the same time, you wont be able to hone in on the correct doses.
Get Mg in check, then Alk and then Ca. Then start over again. This will make it much more easy.
I used a small reactor on a small system once. It had a greater impact on pH, but other than that the reactor performed as expected.
Reefvet
New member
I've run tanks of all sizes from 40 gals to 240 gals with calcium reactors and with just 2 part dosing. I've run all those systems with Kalkwasser simultaneously and without it. Finding the right mix of methods that satisfies the demands of the individual tank can be the difference between wonderful color, good growth and stability or the lack of all of those.
Anyone who tells you only need a CR for large tanks hasn't run one on a small tank, where they can do wonders.
I used the original Knop C from 1995 to about 2000 and while it was a little touchy it worked great on a 50 gal reef tank.
Aquamax has made a couple of Nano reactors over the last couple of years and I've read several threads with guys who run them on 60 gal cubes.
Aquamax products are just re-branded JNS Aquaria's products made in Taiwan. They just came out with an update to their CRs in January so there may be a newer Nano CR coming soon.
Thanks moeshi, the system has been running a little over a year and is doing pretty well but levels never seem to be as stable as i would like. My mag is consistent, waterchanges seem to keep that in check also alk is pretty good, its mainly calcium i seem to struggle with.
I guess it just needs more testing and fine tuning.
Thats good to know reefvet, going to give it a few more weeks to see if i can stabilise things and even if i can ill probably buy a calcium reactor lol
