Calcium Reactor or Dosing?

[jeffberg]

Hello,

I would like some opinions if possible. I have never set up my calcium reactor( It is a cr-2 from Myreefcreations) and am at a point of either do it or sell it. My system is 385 total gallons mostly SPS; I have been fairly successful with dosing; so I'm either going to buy a couple more dosing pumps and sell the reactor or hook up the reactor. Will system be better off with reactor and is it less trouble than dosing once dialed in? I would appreciate some thoughts? Thanks Jeff

 

[buy_baff]

I would set it up man. I went from doseing to ca reactor about 4 months ago and will never go back.

 

[Allmost]

I find dosing to be easier to adjust.

might not be that cost effective with so much water though .

many ppl who run CA reactor also end up dosing for KH ...

I would get a nice set of dosing pumps, with a controller.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

I just set up a CR-2 reactor a few months ago. It is extremly easy to setup and once dialed in the media and co2(depending on tank size) will last several months. Is say, you have the reactor why not set it up and see how you like it. If you dont, then sell it.

 

[mcoomer]

I've thought about getting a reactor at different points in the evolution of my tanks but never have. Right now I'm running two Drew's Dosers for calcium and alkalinity, driving them with my Reef Keeper Elite. I've got them dialed in so that I they run at 5AM and again at 5PM and keep my parameters rock steady.

Another thing to consider are the results of an equipment failure. I've read more stories on here of solenoids sticking open than I care to remember but I can't recall reading any about dosing pumps failing and dumping all the solution into a tank. If a pump fails to run, I'll see my numbers drifting down and not some dramatic change in a short period of time.

Mike

 

[smalltime]

If you go reactor go with an AquariumPlantsRegulator. Easiest to dial in and make adjustments.

 

[dahenley]

with a tank that large, i would look into a reactor. with a MR2 reactor, it may keep up for a while, and when its time to upgrade, you can keep it online and just dose to keep up with things.

and i have never heard of a AquariumPlantsRegulator failing or people not liking one.

plus they have built in check valves and the solenoid is rock solid

 

[ndh78]

I have used a lifereef reactor on my 150 from the start and I wouldn't even think of dosing. It took a while to get the hang and learn where to run the flow and ph but all I do now is look at the ph and make a flow change if needed. Some things to consider:

1. Always control ph with flow and co2 don't rely on the controller shutting it on and off
2. Just because the instructions say use ph of x.xx doesn't mean that will work for you system (I run much higher than the norm)
3. Tune the ph to your alk demands (higher ph for less alk and vice vs)

I started dribbling efluent and slow count on co2 when the tank was young, now that I have colonies I was just today thinking about how much more efluent and co2 I have to put in the tank to keep up with the demand

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

Doser since 97, Geos on line for almost 4 mos now......I'll take my geos, all it takes to tweak is adjusting the effluent rate and/or the ph:thumbsup:

 

[allsps40]

For your size tank I say Ca reactor and maybe even kalk in ATO to keep Ph up. For sps tanks under 150g dosing kalk or 2 part is better IMO. But then again if you can afford of save up for a reactor that is one less thing to dose. I dose kalk in my ATO water and for me and my small 40g this works well. Plus cheap and simple.

 

[zaheda]

This can be a big dabate on whats better. I say you have to try both and see what you prefer to use. Many do change from reacters to 2 part dosing, as they dont knowhow to use the calcium reacter or cant get to work properly. A calcium tricky for the first time user, so you have to play arpound with it for a while to see how it works. Than consider getting a good quality reacter as they will be easier to dial in. Im getting a large Deltek this weekend complete setup, Im so excited Christmas has come early for me.