Calcium reactor or doser

[Cac986]

I currenlty am using a ca reactor with a ph controler on my 300 g sps tank. I use kh buffer for my top off water, and seachem 28 blocks if my ca consumption > than than my production. I would would stay away from 2 part dosing method for large set ups like a 200g. This will cost you a alot of money over the long run. I also add 1 part neo mag to the ca reactor and am able to keep my mag around 1500. It is not necessary to have a pH controler for your reactor. Its nice don't get me wrong. For my of site coral farm I do not use a pH controler for the ca reactor. However, I do have a Digital aquatics reefkeeper for my coral farm which will shut the co2 off if the pH drops bellow 7.9 in my raceways. Hopefuly this helps.

 

[sbreefer]

Eric,

I run a 618 and then an effluent chamber on a 200 DT and total WV of 300... helps to keep the Ph stable. I have a HUGE ALK/Ca demand and also run a GEO 618 Kalk reactor to keep Ph elevated. if you have lots of SPS you MUST have a reactor. it is the only stable way to keep up with ALK/Ca demand. can I recomend a whiletank controller like a Neptune? pretty essential.

Tim

 

[Squidmotron]

Eric,

I run a 618 and then an effluent chamber on a 200 DT and total WV of 300... helps to keep the Ph stable. I have a HUGE ALK/Ca demand and also run a GEO 618 Kalk reactor to keep Ph elevated. if you have lots of SPS you MUST have a reactor. it is the only stable way to keep up with ALK/Ca demand. can I recomend a whiletank controller like a Neptune? pretty essential.

Tim

Would the 612 be insufficient for a tank that size? Yours appears similar to my own concept. Maybe I should consider the 618.

 

[sbreefer]

depennds on the corals... SPS o LPS o softies....

 

[Squidmotron]

I have a mixed reef with a little of everything. SPS on top. I doubt it's as needy as a full SPS reef, but just in case...

I went ahead and bought the 618 package that includes everything. Should be here shortly.

These aren't too difficult to install, right?

Looking forward to NOT manually dosing calcium and alk anymore.

Do I need to still dose mag occasionally?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Do I need to still dose mag occasionally?

since Ca reactor doesn't add Mg in proportion to Ca and alk you will need to test for Mg and (perhaps) add it somehow.

USUALLY water changes (alone) can boost Mg enough... but it all depends on YOUR unique situation.

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I think you will be happy with your decision.
I just set up my 818 reactor this weekend. Everything went great on the install. In a few weeks I will be dialing it in.

 

[Squidmotron]

Thanks. I'm psyched.

 

[sbreefer]

you can put a little dolomite MgCO3 (zeovit makes some) into the reactor to keep mag up. these are pretty easy to dial in. just watch the big three every few days for about a week and also after WC's to make sure it is delivering appropriate alk, mg and ca

 

[Nanook]

Calcium reactor is a WHOLE lot better than 2-part dosing, IME Where do these folks come from that say it is like an old computer:lol: ROFL.

 

[Squidmotron]

Thanks, guys.

I now own a Geosreef 618 Calcium Reactor, and I'm bumping this thread because I have a few questions.

They might be dumb, but I'm new to this still...

1) The sealed plastic lid on top is very slowly dripping (leaking) water out. I tightened the thumb screws exactly as the instructions suggested. Any other tips?

2) Both feeder and ordinary (Eheim) pump should be on at all times, right?

3) The instructions suggest that my PSI on the regulator should probably be about 10-15. It is closer to 20. Any attempt to go less causes mad bubble-age. Is something wrong with the way I'm setting this up? Closer to 20 gives me a good steady bubble rate.

4) I set the ph Controller for 6.5 with an offset of about .3 Is this right? I have the medium that looks like dried out corals. It's called "Reborn".


Thanks for bearing with me.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I got rid of my calcium reactor recently and I am going to try automated 2-part. I like the Ca reactor when I had it, but it was a lot of extra... stuff. Extra plumbing and potential leaks, CO2 and solenoids, controllers, etc. There were also multiple variables to manipulate i.e. bubble rate (pH) and drip rate. I could set the drip rate and adjust it more or less depending on my needs, but it was never exactly precise. What drew me to the idea of 2 part is being able to have digital control of the amount added instead of arbitrary drip rates and trying to open it "a hair more." Also seems like less points of failure, overall a less complicated setup. We'll see if I regret it...

 

[sirreal63]

Thanks, guys.

I now own a Geosreef 618 Calcium Reactor, and I'm bumping this thread because I have a few questions.

They might be dumb, but I'm new to this still...

1) The sealed plastic lid on top is very slowly dripping (leaking) water out. I tightened the thumb screws exactly as the instructions suggested. Any other tips? Get some silicone lube (plumbers grease) from Depot or Lowes, coat the o-ring with it. Do not overtighten the thumb screws, it isn't needed.

2) Both feeder and ordinary (Eheim) pump should be on at all times, right? Yes

3) The instructions suggest that my PSI on the regulator should probably be about 10-15. It is closer to 20. Any attempt to go less causes mad bubble-age. Is something wrong with the way I'm setting this up? Closer to 20 gives me a good steady bubble rate. 20 psi is ok, a tad high but should be ok.

4) I set the ph Controller for 6.5 with an offset of about .3 Is this right? I have the medium that looks like dried out corals. It's called "Reborn".
Reborn is good, I have used it numerous times. Remember you have two basic items to tune the reactor, ph and effluent flow rate.


Thanks for bearing with me.

 

[hypnoj]

following

 

[AquaTDV]

My current system is a 300 gallon mixed reef that was setup in '04. For the first 4 years I used a CA reactor that held 20+lbs of media, this would last me 9 months or so with a consistant CA of 390-410 and ALK around 9-10. Everything was great until I started puchasing Tridacna, particularly a 12" Gigas. Within a week my CA went from 400s to 280. So I cranked up the reactor till my effluent was a continuous heavy flow, I also added another chamber with 8lbs of media to elevate the PH before it went into my reaction chamber of the sump. After some time I was able to get the CA to 380, but the systems PH was around 76-78. I lost my nerve... At that time I knew several people who milked their entire systems from an unexpected drop in PH from 76. Not much room for error when your PH is that low. CA reactors are fantastic if your system can work within the bonds of one. I wouldn't try to overdrive it or leave your system unattended for weeks at a time.. IMHO there is too much room for Murphy to strike.
The Gigas is now over 20" as well as a 9" Maxima and 7" Derasa. So I dose 2 part as well as top off with a Kalk reactor. I do miss the stability and ease of the CA reactor once its dialed in. I wish I had the room to incorporate it again.
Each one has its advantages. Like Gary said a combination of all three would be ideal.

 

[Herbie]

Calcium reactors scare me, lol.
I have been using kalk reactors for years with great results. Easy and cheap.......I feel kind of lazy sometimes when all I have to do is add Kalk to my reactor weekly, or bi-weekly. Thats it. All my levels stay exactly where I need them in a stocked mixed reef tank. No dosing at all besides kalk water for 100% of all my top off water. BTW, I do at times adjust my evap rate with a fan somtimes if my levels are getting low.
Calcium reactors have always intrigued me, but I really dont have a reason to experiment with one.

Herbie

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

maybe someday, Herbie

maybe someday, Herbie

I ran for years with just kalkwasser (for makeup) and water changes.

Nowadays it's difficult to keep up with demand here even though I'm still using kalk, running a Ca reactor and bumping (if/when necessary) with liquid two part IN ADDITION to regular partial water changes.

I've never seen the need to for a kalk reactor. I mix my limewater up in a 30 gallon brute and a Litermeter doses it.
There's really no reason to be scared of a calcium reactor as long as you run it with a pH controller.
Once you get it dialed in it's the ULTIMATE in low maintenance.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

My current system is a 300 gallon mixed reef that was setup in '04. For the first 4 years I used a CA reactor that held 20+lbs of media, this would last me 9 months or so with a consistant CA of 390-410 and ALK around 9-10. Everything was great until I started puchasing Tridacna, particularly a 12" Gigas. Within a week my CA went from 400s to 280. So I cranked up the reactor till my effluent was a continuous heavy flow, I also added another chamber with 8lbs of media to elevate the PH before it went into my reaction chamber of the sump. After some time I was able to get the CA to 380, but the systems PH was around 76-78. I lost my nerve... At that time I knew several people who milked their entire systems from an unexpected drop in PH from 76. Not much room for error when your PH is that low. CA reactors are fantastic if your system can work within the bonds of one. I wouldn't try to overdrive it or leave your system unattended for weeks at a time.. IMHO there is too much room for Murphy to strike.
The Gigas is now over 20" as well as a 9" Maxima and 7" Derasa. So I dose 2 part as well as top off with a Kalk reactor. I do miss the stability and ease of the CA reactor once its dialed in. I wish I had the room to incorporate it again.
Each one has its advantages. Like Gary said a combination of all three would be ideal.

I used to have a big squamosa. Large Tridacna deplete Ca/alk at an unbelievable rate IME.
I want to get another clam but I'm already having a difficult time keeping up with calcium and alkalinity with just my corals.

 

[Herbie]

I ran for years with just kalkwasser (for makeup) and water changes.

Nowadays it's difficult to keep up with demand here even though I'm still using kalk, running a Ca reactor and bumping (if/when necessary) with liquid two part IN ADDITION to regular partial water changes.

I've never seen the need to for a kalk reactor. I mix my limewater up in a 30 gallon brute and a Litermeter doses it.
There's really no reason to be scared of a calcium reactor as long as you run it with a pH controller.
Once you get it dialed in it's the ULTIMATE in low maintenance.

LOL, I am all about low maintanance Gary. I didnt think it got any lower than a kalk reactor, lol.
I dont keep clams either though. Maybe that might be the turning point.

Herbie

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

the biggest 2 PITA with a calcium reactor:

1) dialing it in
2) brass regulators

Since I got one of those fancy electronic CO2 carbondoser things on my CO2 tank I haven't needed to touch anything in a loong time (except to add more aragonite media).