Calcium Reactor Questions

KMP

KMP

Wag More; Bark Less
I'm trying to find the right CA Reactor and bottle for my tank. I have very limited space to work with as my tank is only a 70g w/36" stand. After the sump, I have 11" by 16" to play with. A waste collector and phosban reactor has already eaten some of that space. At this point you're probably thinking I'm done - not quite

I've found a CA reactor rated for 75g with a 7" by 7" footprint. A 5lb bottle has a 5.5" footprint. I cut out paper templates and it will all fit. However, before I pull the trigger and start spending money I have a few questions:

1) If the tank is 70g, is a 75g CA Reactor sufficient (I have contacted the manufacturer and they say their CA Reactors are under rated)?
2) I assume the max volume of your tank (tank/sump) should be considered when choosing the right size CA Rector)?
3) If you had the choice of a 75g CA Reactor w/5 lb bottle or a 150g CA Reactor w/2.5 lb bottle - which would you choose.
4) On average, how long would a 5lb or 2.5 lb bottle last (I assume load comes into play so an average is all I'm looking for)
5) Are there any other considerations (other than th regulator will be wider than the bottle) that I should consider.

I realize either way is not optimal, but I only have so much space under my future SPS tank. Setting equipment up outside the stand is not an option.

Thanks in advance.
 
One thing to consider is not going CA reactor and going liquid dosing.

After doing it this way I will never go back to the CA reactor.
Too much of a hassle...
Liquid with 3 part dosing (or two part is good too) is the only way to go in my opinion.

Liquid systems with a doser is very hard to overdose and does not require co2, controllers, refilling bottles of co2, ph probes, media etc...

Not saying CA reactors are bad, but just suggesting there may be better alternatives..
I know Bruce says the same thing, and he used to maintain systems for a living..

Just a thought..
 
well keep the thoughts flowing; i'll consider them all. a doser would be cheaper than a ca reactor set up. what are you dosing?
 
I dose Alk, CA, and MG
Right now I just have my Alk setup on a doser cause I can't afford another doser right now for CA, and my tank uses way more Alk than CA.

I use Randys 3 part recipie.

VERY simple and CHEAP to make.
The dosing is connected to a small container (24oz) with the liquid.
Once you figure out how much your tank needs you just configure the dosers like that.
Then when you notice that you need more CA or Alk, just turn up the dosers a tad to compensate.

VERY easy system, VERY effective system..
LMK if you have more questions..
 
hoh PS I don't think you'd need a doser for MG.
I only add that once a week or every other week.

You'd only need two dosers (or one doser that does two products)
Alk, and CA will replace a CA reactor.
 
Hey guys. I switched to a CA reactor about 6 months ago after 8 years of B-ionic. I had great results with the store bought two part. I never had a doser for the two part so it was extremely tedious. I basicaly had a hand in the tank every single day. Or if I forgott a day or two I would double up the dosage that day. Having a doser would've made a big difference I suppose.

Then I got the reactor. For me, it truley is "Set and forget". Now I only add amino acids every now and then... Also a shot of ca supppliment from time to time. "Sea chem Reef advantage"

I love the reactor but a large part of it could be that I'm a gadget geek. I also got smoking deal from someone here on reef central. The equipment does add some complexity but C02 refils are cheap and will last me over a year on my 10 pound clyinder. Reactor meda is cheap too. I cant vouch for what home made 2 part cost is but I know its alot cheaper than buying B-ionic.
 
If you were able to set your reactor and forget it then you are doing MUCH better than most..
They always seem to need tuning and adjustments.
Dosing by hand SUCKS and will leave a bad taste in your tank :)

Don't base your decision on liquid dosing when you use the manual method. Yes it will be a royal pain..

Auto dosing with dosers is VERY nice!!!
But I'm sure you will find people on both sides that say one is better than the other...

Though I haven't heard many people say that dumped their doser in favor of a CA reactor (When using RHF 3 part mix).
But I have found many that have dumped the Reactor and gone to liquid dosing
:)

Just my .02..
BOTH methods WILL work....
 
What kind of pumps are you guys using to dose?

Right now I'm doing the weekly manual "test, mix, and add" method and it does truly suck.
 
I have heard that dosing works.... people used those hospital grade dosers, etc...
BTW tagging along, even though 2part vs. CA reactor was thread of the month a while back, I just want to see other opinions locally.....
Very mixed reviews, but once you choose either I hear there is no turning back. The main thing is getting over the hump. I am currently leaning more toward the reactor, as it seems to last longer, and in the long run save some $$$. That is truly the LOOONNNGGG run.
 
I am all for simplicity and I have both Ca reactor and dosing pumps. I like the convenience of dosing and once you do set your controller to add the amount needed for your tank, a lot of the guess work is taken out of the picture. I am a 3 part solution fan, and the science seems to support the means, so I am planning on running that on the larger propagation systems being planned/built to see what mileage I can get out of it. The chemicals in bulk are extremely cost effective and I have yet to build a similar plan with reactors that would come close to the cost of using dosing pumps. I also plan to use the SpectrePure LiterMetre III with ad-don pump module. (have it already, just never actually hooked it up yet).
 
It took a couple weeks to get the reactor dialed. There is some guess work and also alot of trial and error involed. At least there was with me. It could be the design of reactor I got. Its a Korallin unit witha built in bubble counter. If you over dose the co2, the a co2 pocket steadily develops in the reactor and kills the ruturn pump output. Kind of a safety cut off. I dont even run a PH probe. (ordered on last week) I just keet an eye on tank ph and also the effluent drip counts at the recommended level by the reactor manufaturer. Even the manufaturer says a probe is optional because of this feature. Early on I only adjusted the bubble count as my parameters stabilized, I now have an exact handle on how many bubbles per minute maintains my dkh at ~10.


Anyone have a link for that thread of the month on Reactor vs Two part?
 
Last edited:
All good info, was wondering if you guys could answer a few questions for me... :)

1) If the tank is 70g, is a 75g CA Reactor sufficient (I have contacted the manufacturer and they say their CA Reactors are under rated)?
2) I assume the max volume of your tank (tank/sump) should be considered when choosing the right size CA Rector)?
3) If you had the choice of a 75g CA Reactor w/5 lb bottle or a 150g CA Reactor w/2.5 lb bottle - which would you choose.
4) On average, how long would a 5lb or 2.5 lb bottle last (I assume load comes into play so an average is all I'm looking for)
5) Are there any other considerations (other than th regulator will be wider than the bottle) that I should consider.
 
I suggest contacting the manufaturer. Each make has its own unique design and uses co2 differently. Mine claims that a 10 bubbles per minute, I will get one year per fill.
 
thank you sir. i'll do that although these guys have made me stop to take a hard look at dosing. decisions...
 
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