Calcium reactor or Balling ?

I see that some posted that a calcium reactor can go months without being messed with.

Dumb question but don't you have to fiddle with it as the corals grow or lack of coral growth due to some other params being off?
 
Uncle Luke said:
I see that some posted that a calcium reactor can go months without being messed with.

Dumb question but don't you have to fiddle with it as the corals grow or lack of coral growth due to some other params being off?
Click to expand...

Once dialed correctly there are little adjustments needed, maybe none, CA reactors are meant to maintain levels not to manipulate them. If parameters are off you need to adjust them using two part ingredients.

Obviously as your corals grow some little adjustments need to be made, but at the rate SPS grow the adjustments are made annually or semiannually, and once you have a full grown tank the adjustment are less frequent.
Since you need to replace media, clean it and dial it again that's the time when you usually adjust it.
 
Uncle Luke said:
I see that some posted that a calcium reactor can go months without being messed with.

Dumb question but don't you have to fiddle with it as the corals grow or lack of coral growth due to some other params being off?
Click to expand...

Also a lot of people run their calcium reactors too hard and the excess carbonate and calcium precipitate out as calcium carbonate often on hot equipment or in the sand bed. As the corals grow faster less of the calcium and carbonate produced are precipitating and instead are being used by the coral.
 
Dammit, you had to start this debate.

I ran a Carx in my last tank, switched to Dosing with a GHL.

The reason why I switched was because I bought a used MRC reactor and I had a real hard time dialling it in. I found myself constantly adjusting the bubble counter.

I switched to the balling method and found myself constantly mixing balling solutions and playing catch up as I would always run out.

With my new tank, I was planning on giving dosing another chance, but I just unboxed my doser and the GHL screen crapped out(common problem apparently).

Now, I'm thinking of getting a brand new Calcium reactor and starting from scratch and seeing what happens.

KInda excited to be honest :)

What are the other good brands besides GEO?
 
deeznutz1 said:
Dammit, you had to start this debate.

I ran a Carx in my last tank, switched to Dosing with a GHL.

The reason why I switched was because I bought a used MRC reactor and I had a real hard time dialling it in. I found myself constantly adjusting the bubble counter.

I switched to the balling method and found myself constantly mixing balling solutions and playing catch up as I would always run out.

With my new tank, I was planning on giving dosing another chance, but I just unboxed my doser and the GHL screen crapped out(common problem apparently).

Now, I'm thinking of getting a brand new Calcium reactor and starting from scratch and seeing what happens.

KInda excited to be honest :)

What are the other good brands besides GEO?
Click to expand...

What kind of regulator were you using. That can play an absolutely critical role in dialing it in. Try to get the AP regulator. Rock solid.

GREAT username BTW... Lol
 
Uncle Luke said:
What kind of regulator were you using. That can play an absolutely critical role in dialing it in. Try to get the AP regulator. Rock solid.

GREAT username BTW... Lol
Click to expand...

+1 on the aquarium plants electronic regulator. Eliminates one of the more annoying aspects of a reactor. Also, I feed my reactor off my return pump so I can get as much flow as I want.
 
I really like Balling method.

Recently (30 days) buyed a Vertex Libra dosing pump and they are really pinpoint in terms of dosing the exact quantity of solutions until now.

I have sealed recipients that, at least, should keep the solution clean and my parameters are very very stable but......always have a "but"

I'm dosing 1 liter of each solution daily so, I'll put a calcium reactor in parallel to lower the costs with the salts.

I'm going with a Korallin C4002 calcium reactor.
 
I've been using the GEO 618 for about 6 years now, never had a problem with it in any way. Still using the original Eheim pump on it. In my opinion you can't get a better calcium reactor, set and forget once you dial it in. I pull it apart about once a year and give it a good cleaning and replace media when required. I use the coarse ARM media and Zeomag and it holds my perimeters steady. I've never tried the balling method so can't give an opinion on that method.
 
Just regular ARM will have higher mag in the effluent than in the tankwater... same with Strontium. Only you know if this will be enough for you - I have never had to use any. Dolomite is cheap, though.

I have the original Ehiem pump on my Korallin from 1999.

Your success will mostly lie in the regulator that you buy. Most reactors are the same if they are reverse flow and use a quality pump that can even run dry if your reactor fills up with CO2 (Ehiem). The Carbon Doser is worth every penny IMO.
 
I think having something to monitor pH and turn the regulator off/on is more important. I have been using a Milwaukee regulator since 08'.
 
Last edited:
Stolireef said:
+1 on the aquarium plants electronic regulator. Eliminates one of the more annoying aspects of a reactor. Also, I feed my reactor off my return pump so I can get as much flow as I want.
Click to expand...

Uncle Luke said:
What kind of regulator were you using. That can play an absolutely critical role in dialing it in. Try to get the AP regulator. Rock solid.

GREAT username BTW... Lol
Click to expand...

I was using the wilwalkee monitor and regulator. It was a green unit if that helps.

I love deeznutz :)
 
No disrespect or anything but that Milwaukee regulator is aweful. I had one and kept tinkering with the thing until I was blue in the face. I upgraded to the AP regulator and it's night and day. Beautiful piece of equipment.
 
deeznutz1 said:
Dammit, you had to start this debate.

I ran a Carx in my last tank, switched to Dosing with a GHL.

The reason why I switched was because I bought a used MRC reactor and I had a real hard time dialling it in. I found myself constantly adjusting the bubble counter.

I switched to the balling method and found myself constantly mixing balling solutions and playing catch up as I would always run out.

With my new tank, I was planning on giving dosing another chance, but I just unboxed my doser and the GHL screen crapped out(common problem apparently).

Now, I'm thinking of getting a brand new Calcium reactor and starting from scratch and seeing what happens.

KInda excited to be honest :)

What are the other good brands besides GEO?
Click to expand...
I'm using a Lifereef lcr2 on my 180.I only have to check and adjust the effluent drip rate as dictated by water test numbers.Set and forget mostly.
 
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