Calcium reactor suggestions please

aerius007

aerius007

New member
I have been using 2-part ever since I got into this hobby due to lack of space. I finally have the room I need so I would like to add a calc reactor in the near future. My only problem is that I dont have any experience with them and dont know the good ones from the bad. So throw me some tips please so I dont go buying the first one I see. I also would like to buy everything I need to get it up and running. My total water volume is less than 300g, 120 of that being a display.
 
Get one with the largest media chamber as you have space and the budget for. My Deltec holds 6 gallons of ARM media and it barely keeps up with the demand that the corals and clams put on it. (130 gallon display and 250 gallons of total water)
 
Well I definately want one that will keep up with my display which has 3 clams (for now) and a ton of sps. Sure now most of them are frags but they are growing nice and I want them to have plenty of calc without dosing.
 
I would assume a Geo 618 would be good? C'mon guys, I know theres a ton of people in the club with them I would rather learn from you guys vs learning from my own mistakes. I know nothing about bubble counters, co2 tanks, or regulators and have no problem admitting to it.
 
Zach, it was nice to meet you at Johns on monday. I have used several CA reactors I am now using the jet stream 1 By schraun. IMO this is the best reactor that I have used. I also have its big brother in my garage for next set up. I have an 8" squamosa and a 15" Gigas with some good sized sps heads and Some frags. This reactor is rated at 500 gallons i have about 300 gallons running now and it has trouble keeping up. I would get the largest reator that you can aford.The reator in the garage is rated for 1600 gallons I'm looking at about 600 gallons total on that system, to give you an Idea, If I can help LMK good luck
 
Reactor (both have built-in bubble counters):

GEO or Aquarium Systems Design Inc.

Regulator:

Aquarium Plants or Reef Fanatic
 
It looks to be about the same or similar design with the addition of a second chamber. I have had good experiences with my GEO, however, there are a lot of good models out there.
 
I have an extra ACjr, I assume that would be a good match for a controller? Also, say I but the octopus, what else would I need? A reef fanatic regulator, co2 canister, feed pump, and media, anything else or is that everything to get it running the way its supposed to be? Do you have any media recommendations and would something like the octo be good enough that I wouldnt have to add kalk or dose anymore 2 part?

I know its a ton of questions.
 
I have a Reef Octopus. Not sure what model it is, but it is a single chamber reactor.

It works pretty well, as the results I see are great coral growth and a ton of corraline algae growing on anything it can grow on.

The corals are happy.

If you can afford it, get a 20 pound tank instead of a smaller one.

Marc from melevsreef helped me a lot with my Ca reactor. Take a look at his website. he has a whole "how to" on setting up a reactor.
 
I got my setup from diyreef.com.

Very helpful and great customer service from Deb. I got the CO2 tank from a local welding company.

The tank prices vary.

I got my 20 lb tank for 120.00, filled, and it is 10 or twenty a refill.

But, I got quotes of well over 150 just for the tank, so call around.
 
I love my 618 GEO, very easy to use. I use it with a Pinpoint PH controller and GEN X media. It has made up keep soooo much easier!!
 
I have the pinpoint pH monitor as well.

Very easy to use, although I accidentally broke the first one because, like Tommy Boy, I'm a big dumb animal.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15248066#post15248066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aerius007
I have an extra ACjr, I assume that would be a good match for a controller? Also, say I but the octopus, what else would I need? A reef fanatic regulator, co2 canister, feed pump, and media, anything else or is that everything to get it running the way its supposed to be? Do you have any media recommendations and would something like the octo be good enough that I wouldnt have to add kalk or dose anymore 2 part?

I know its a ton of questions.
Click to expand...
Here is a useful link:
http://www.melevsreef.com/calcium_reactor.html

- Ca Reactor
- Ca Reactor Media
- CO2 Bottle
- CO2 Regulator
- CO2 Check Valve
- CO2 Stable Tubing
- Feed Pump
- pH Controller

The Ca Reactor will fulfill all your Ca and Alkalinity needs. People who use Kalkwasser in combination with a Ca Reactor are usually looking for a pH boost, but the Ca Reactor handles the majority of the Ca & Alk requirements for the tank.

I use the ARM Coarse Media, as well as ZEOMag media in my reactor.

Also, I use an AC3 with multiple pH probes, but looked at the comparison spreadsheet online. It looks like the ACjr can serve as your pH controller for the reactor as well.
 
Thanks for the tips!
Does anyone have experience with the Milwaukee co2 reg and solenoid? Its $99 and I was wondering if it was cheaper for a reason. With the octo dual chamber I would be looking at $375, plus media, bottle, and feed pump. I know what a check valve and whats its used for but what is co2 stable tubing, just something that wont degrade over time with co2 or something else?

I really hope I dont need kalk, If I remember correctly I think you have one TJ?
 
not that you'd buy the over priced schraun reactor Zach, but do your self a big favor and pass on it. It was the hot thing a few years ago, reason you never hear about them much anymore is because all the high end buyers bought them then sold them off to others. You can't get replacement parts very easy and there warrentee is junk. Purple reef had one less then a year that is complete junk now. I have read many stories like that as well.

Geo is tried and true.
Can beat the price on that dual chamber Octo though.
Erik

On the feed pump issue, you can always t a line off your return pump like i do to feed your reactor, saves money on electric and the cost of a maxi jet
 
I dont even know what a schraun reactor is Eric :-)

I think Im going to stay away from the milwaukee regulator, seems a lot of people werent too happy with them so as TJ suggested I should probably look into a reef fanatic.
 
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