Calcium Reactor vs. 2-part

[Eel Freak]

Hi! My reef has finally entered the realm where regular water changes can no longer keep up with the calcium demand. So I'm beginning to look into Calcium reactors vs. 2-part dosing on something like a Peristaltic pump.

Please post what you run/why/experiences with it and tank size/relative amount of corals (PACKED vs. Minimalistic, SPS or LPS, etc.) Thanks! This is in the large forum since a tank as large as some in here is not maintained like a nano....

EDIT: Kalkawasser users as well, please chime in

 

[Jeff000]

I am just starting my SPS collection, so am looking heavy into if I should go dosing or reactor. I am on the fence. Right now I am sure water changes will keep me up, but I want to have the best chance at my corals growing as fast as they can.

So I am interested in this thread for sure.

 

[rehab]

Calc rx all the way if you got tank bigger then 100g.

 

[mil hse]

2 part will work for a little while. When your tank starts to get loaded you ll have to dose everyday which becomes more of a chore. Reactor all the way!

 

[pbnj]

2 part will work for a little while. When your tank starts to get loaded you ll have to dose everyday which becomes more of a chore.

....not if you have a controller.

 

[Emerald525]

I would agree I have 2 150 gallons one with a calcium reactor and one with actually 3 part dosing (calcium, mg, and alk). The Calcium reactor is lower maintenance and cheaper. The doser isn't that bad it's just a matter of making sure you have adequate calcium , alk and mg solutions in the doser.

 

[Eel Freak]

Now, in my case if I go the route of dosing it will be done using a Profilux unit...

Keep the votes and thoughts coming!

 

[baudhya]

Ca reactors might lower Ph.
Two will not. Two parts will only require a doser. Rest assured.

All the best

Regards
Binayak:beer:

 

[Eel Freak]

That's a good point. I imagine it is easier to dial in 2-part than it is to dial in a Calcium Reactor.

Is it reasonable to suspect that a Calcium reactor, since it is dissolving essentially coral skeletons, adds more important trace elements and other such elements that are not in 2-part mixes? i.e. strontium, magnesium, etc.

 

[Jeff000]

That's a good point. I imagine it is easier to dial in 2-part than it is to dial in a Calcium Reactor.

Is it reasonable to suspect that a Calcium reactor, since it is dissolving essentially coral skeletons, adds more important trace elements and other such elements that are not in 2-part mixes? i.e. strontium, magnesium, etc.

This is a good question, never even thought about stuff like strontium.

I keep getting conflicting reports on what one is easier to dial in. Some people say reactor is set and forget, other have never ending trouble. But the same for 2 part.
With 2 part you have the need to mix two part all the time, how often depending on how much you mix at a time and your tanks needs.

The upfront cost of reactor is far larger then 2 part. Not sure about the on going cost. The chance of a reactor killing the whole tank is much larger then 2 part though too, makes me nervous as I vacation a lot.

 

[Eel Freak]

This is a good question, never even thought about stuff like strontium.

I keep getting conflicting reports on what one is easier to dial in. Some people say reactor is set and forget, other have never ending trouble. But the same for 2 part.
With 2 part you have the need to mix two part all the time, how often depending on how much you mix at a time and your tanks needs.

The upfront cost of reactor is far larger then 2 part. Not sure about the on going cost. The chance of a reactor killing the whole tank is much larger then 2 part though too, makes me nervous as I vacation a lot.

I think dialing in any method of supplementation will be tricky, and depending on the equipment used, it may or may not be stable. A downside to a reactor is it takes several hours for any change to the reactor to be reflected in the alkalinity of the effluent. If I go reactor, I'll be using a peristaltic pump to feed the reactor. And for 2-part, I'd be using a Profilux dosing unit.

True, but I think a 2-part dosing regimen would eventually catch up in cost, especially if the demand is high. That's understandable, I don't vacation much, maybe once or twice a year, but that's just me.

Keep the thoughts coming! This is good discussion...

 

[Jeff000]

The cost will catch up for sure, but there is still on going costs with a reactor, CO2 and calcium medium are expensive.
I think it would take a long time to catch up cost wise.

But cost out of it, the more I look into it the more I see they can both be just as stable and consistent as peristaltic pumps can be very consistent and reliable. But if something goes wrong the reactor still has the highest likely hood of real damage.

Has any one dosed and went to reactor or vice versa and noticed any change in health or growth?

 

[ejk17]

Hey guys i am setting up a 265 with clams softies and lps... I am dosing 2 part right now on my 90, should i switch to a calcium reactor instead? 2 part just seems easier.