Calcium Reactor vs 2-Part in a 200g+ SPS tank

Seems like many with a CA Rx have a low ph problem, and are now swithing to 2part. I like my Rx and have solved the PH problem by drew dosing Kalk. This is cheaper than 2 part, and more trace and minerals. And keeps all levels fine. Some manual Mg everyother week is usually needed. Why 2 part over Kalk? Why not run your reactor with kalk or 2 part, as apossed to instead of?
 
marke,

I am actually running 2-part as well as a kalk reactor. I never stopped running the kalk reactor, just swapped out the cal reactor.

BTW, I could add 5 gallons/day of kalk and it would never come close to meeting the cal and alk demands of my tank on it's own.
 
Does any one add Strontium or Iron to there Ca Part? Or Iodine to the Alk Part?
 
I also use a Profilux controller & doser for my 2 part and have actually never used a Ca reactor. I also dose 1000 ML+ of alk in my tank and I also experience that the alk is used at a faster rate than the ca. My total system volume is about 700 gal. The only issue I have is my alk hose clogging up so I keep a heater in the alk resevour and make the solution at half strength which is then dosed double so I actually dose 2000+ ML per day through my Profilux unit. My PH starts at about 8.05 in the morning and climbs to 8.5 by lights out. Anyone else get this sort of PH swing?
 
what is the cost of a CARX vs 2-part. To me it seems as though I would be spending more money using 2-part. I would have to buy alot to maintain a system with a high demand like gregs. Is two part cost efficient?
 
so a question..

I have a dosing pump- similiar to the one pictured..


would it be advisable to buy a second head, and daisy chain the heads to the same motor... and control the dosage with concentration of the solution... if I run it really slowly during the day? Or does the dosing at the same time problem void that?

LBC005.jpg
 
Oldude said:
I also use a Profilux controller & doser for my 2 part and have actually never used a Ca reactor. I also dose 1000 ML+ of alk in my tank and I also experience that the alk is used at a faster rate than the ca. My total system volume is about 700 gal. The only issue I have is my alk hose clogging up so I keep a heater in the alk resevour and make the solution at half strength which is then dosed double so I actually dose 2000+ ML per day through my Profilux unit. My PH starts at about 8.05 in the morning and climbs to 8.5 by lights out. Anyone else get this sort of PH swing?
Click to expand...

My ALK uptake is also higher then my Ca. My pH swings from 8.05 to 8.41 before lights out, so I think this is normal. I think the swing has to do with the amount of SPS (photosynthesizing within their tissue) per gallon. I'm dosing 1000 ml a day now on my 160 G.
The pH is is kept above 8.0 at night using a Kalk-reactor.

Leonardo
 
i will use 2 part over the reactor . i had try reactor b4 and crap out on me when the bubble counter went **** on me and kill most of the stuff in my tank cuz of it now i just use 2 part but there is alway up and downs with 2 parts
 
I already asked, but didn't get an answer. I am really curious. Can you use an IV style drip instead of the dosing pumps? I know it's not as cool, but it's economical if it would work.
 
MarineGirl411 said:
I already asked, but didn't get an answer. I am really curious. Can you use an IV style drip instead of the dosing pumps? I know it's not as cool, but it's economical if it would work.
Click to expand...

Yes of course you could use that. You would just need to play with it a bit so you get the proper drip rate and away you go. You'll obviously need seperate pumps for each chemical you dose. I would just have the hoses drip at opposite ends of the sump if you are dripping alk & ca at the same time so they mix in the system better. I used to do a similar method with a ghetto DIY drip in my old tank, worked just fine. Keep in mind your will need to keep an eye on the alk build up and keep it clean so it doesn't clog up.
 
Last edited:
thx everyone for all the info here... so i have been dosing manually for about 8 months now, but i can't take this anymore. so i'm ready to buying a doser and i was wondering each one should i buy? i want something that already has a timer in and make everything as simply as possible. what are the best doser pump out there... thanks for the help...
 
I am receiving my Drew's dosing pump today from BRS. It is rated to deliver 1.6 ml per minute, that gives over 2 liters daily. My evap rate is less than 1L daily. Anyone using the Drew's pump on a timer?
 
to the folks that are dosing large amounts of high pH alk (soda ash) mix.

How is your pump cleaning schedule?

I used to run a calcium reactor, but recently switched back to 2 part.

Im dosing 600ml a day with a litermeterIII, my pH stays high, 8.3 +, I shut down the limewater topoff when the pH is over 8.4.

But sinse switching back to 2 part, my pumps seem to need maintenance far more frequently, that alone has me thinking of switching back to the PF601.
 
H.Veras said:
thx everyone for all the info here... so i have been dosing manually for about 8 months now, but i can't take this anymore. so i'm ready to buying a doser and i was wondering each one should i buy? i want something that already has a timer in and make everything as simply as possible. what are the best doser pump out there... thanks for the help...
Click to expand...

As previously mentioned, profilux doser is the way to go, you'll need an all inclusive unit if you aren't using a controller.

http://www.aqua-digital.com/index.php/ghl/ghl-dosers/
 
You need the one that says "Independent Dosing pump unit with integrated controller". All timers and programming is built in. Extremely easy to set up, you set the time, you set the amount you want to dose per day and hit save, done!
 
aquariumclown said:
You need the one that says "Independent Dosing pump unit with integrated controller". All timers and programming is built in. Extremely easy to set up, you set the time, you set the amount you want to dose per day and hit save, done!
Click to expand...

the best place to buy them?
 
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