TMZ:
I can certainly agree that I'm a bit of a gadget hound (as are many reefers). I think you raise some great points, especially regarding media purity. That's something I really haven't considered. Do you know of anyone that has done a chemical analysis of Ca Reactor media?
I do however think that Kalk dosing can be 'situation dependent' as far as effectiveness is concerned. By way of example, I have a 110 with LED lighting (yes, I know, proof positive of being a gadget freak). As a result of the LED lighting, I don't need fans and my evaporation rate is quite low compared to when I was using halides. The same might apply to someone using a chiller. In that setting, I don't believe Kalk alone would be sufficient to keep up with demand and I'd end up doing significant 2 part dosing along with the Kalk. This comination would likely be as or more complex than just using the reactor.
Who knows? I may end up having to supplement the reactor with either 2 part or Kalk. Time will tell.
If it works for you and you are happy with it that's good and I won't try to change your mind.
The thread needed some counterpoint anyway and my experience with CaCO3 reactors is less stellar than yours.
I used my reactor for a couple of years ;first alone and then with kalk dosing. As time went on and media dissolved ,constancy in alk became an issue,so I abandoned it in favor of 24/7 kalk with a side addition of a bit of baked baking soda (about 1table spoon per week for the 600 gallons) I like calcium hydroxide(kalk) and bumping it with a little baking soda and calcium chloride if necessary. This process seems simpler with more direct control over what I'm dosing .
I have nothing against technology ;many enjoy that part of the hobby more than others. I like it but don't mind some manual activity along with it. I suppose I could just add a dosing pump for the bakinsoda addition but haven'tdone sothough I've hadthe pump for a while now..
By way of comparing complexity , kalk dosing takes: a container, like a bucket or garbage can, a peristaltic pump or diaphram pump and a timer ; a months worth can be mixed at one time. Two part would require one pump for each part . Something like a bubble magnus doser which comes with 3 built in pumps and timers and dosing sets could do it all. So for a kalk and two part automated set up : 1 triple doser pump , 3 refills per month. For just two part two pumps and two mixes .
vs.:
a a CO3 reactor, two pumps, CO2 container to refil from time to time,ph controller with solenoid ,regualtor , maybe a second container for a second media course to raise ph.. managing CO2 levels , monitoring CO2 container pressure, calibrating your controller probe, watching the media to be sure it doesn't clog or slow the flow, fifring out how to offset ph drops. . It's been a while so I'm sure a missed something.
BTW,If your system is closed with low evaporation then air exchange would be minimal too and you are dosing low ph effluent. How do you counteract low ph? What ph are you able to maintain with justthe CACO3 reactor in play.
