calcium reactor vs 2 part
- Thread starter slant77
- Start date
Both will work on you tank depends on which you would want to deal with. Calcium reactor with a ph controller in it is pretty nice which i have been running on my 75 for a few months, i like it better then dosing. However i used to dose by hand every day, now they have automatic dosers which gives you alittle more options with altering calcium alkalinity and magnesium and not having to worry about forgetting if you dosed the tank or not.
I prefer dosing.... for several reasons.
Independent control of both calcium and alkalinity, my system uses both in different quantities.
Simple adjustments for growth, just change the amount on the LiterMeter III to increase/decrease.
Less points of failure.. I've seen and heard of too many meltdowns, regulator failures, clogs and sprung lines on reactors.
Many people I know with reactors end up either dripping kalk or putting a kalk reactor online in order to keep pH up.
Reactors do not allow for as much growth/expansion as dosing and I have seen many people end up having to get larger reactors once their tanks reach a certain maturity.
Easier to dial in and setup initially.
Independent control of both calcium and alkalinity, my system uses both in different quantities.
Simple adjustments for growth, just change the amount on the LiterMeter III to increase/decrease.
Less points of failure.. I've seen and heard of too many meltdowns, regulator failures, clogs and sprung lines on reactors.
Many people I know with reactors end up either dripping kalk or putting a kalk reactor online in order to keep pH up.
Reactors do not allow for as much growth/expansion as dosing and I have seen many people end up having to get larger reactors once their tanks reach a certain maturity.
Easier to dial in and setup initially.
IMO If you want to have an sps dominated tank and are lucky enough to grow it to maturity you will eventually utilize all three. CA reactor, kalk in top off water and 2/3 part.
There are those who rely on one method but your asking a lot from any of these options to carry the full burden of supplementing a tank of that size with many colony sized sps.
The old addage (sp?) use to be that a calcium reactor was expensive upfront and cheap in the long run and vise versa for 2 part and kalk. But the cost of a quality dosing pump or kalk stirrer now rivals that of many calcium reactors. And the availability and cost of bulk 2 part ingredients have improved a lot.
I started with 2 part on my 240 and went to a reactor bc my tank was sucking up 1dkh/day and I wasn't comfortable with a .5dkh swing in between twice daily dosing. I chose the reactor bc I found a good deal on one used before I could find a good deal on a used controllable dosing pump. I still use 2 part for minor adjustments as it is easier than fully dialing in my reactor.
There are those who rely on one method but your asking a lot from any of these options to carry the full burden of supplementing a tank of that size with many colony sized sps.
The old addage (sp?) use to be that a calcium reactor was expensive upfront and cheap in the long run and vise versa for 2 part and kalk. But the cost of a quality dosing pump or kalk stirrer now rivals that of many calcium reactors. And the availability and cost of bulk 2 part ingredients have improved a lot.
I started with 2 part on my 240 and went to a reactor bc my tank was sucking up 1dkh/day and I wasn't comfortable with a .5dkh swing in between twice daily dosing. I chose the reactor bc I found a good deal on one used before I could find a good deal on a used controllable dosing pump. I still use 2 part for minor adjustments as it is easier than fully dialing in my reactor.
jdhuyvetter
SWFMAS Event Coordinator
I use both. I've got an undersized reactor and a couple of kent marine gravity top off tanks (IV style).
Reactor was fine for just the 300. Now I have everything plumbed in to one system (650 gallons). I've got to top off about 4 gallons every day anyway.
Reactor was fine for just the 300. Now I have everything plumbed in to one system (650 gallons). I've got to top off about 4 gallons every day anyway.
Joel A
New member
this is a topic of interest for me too.
I'm looking at ditching my current CA reactor set-up (since it's not up and running right now anyways).. i'm thinking of selling it and putting the sales money towards a high quality 2 part doser.
I'm looking at both the litermeter 3, and the Profilux stand alone doser... so far i'm liking the litermeter, mainly because you can add their ATO system to the main unit for only an extra 40 bucks.. and i'm in need of an ATO system as well.
One thing that worries me about the litermeter though is that it can only run 3 pumps, the one on the unit and then 2 remote pumps.. so that would be a calcium pump, an alkalinity pump, and an ATO pump.. what about magnesium? Supplement it by hand or hope that water changes are efficient enough?
I'm also worried about how much 2 part an SPS dominated 75 gallon tank would use up... i've read that the DIY methods of mixing 2 part (dow flake, and baking soda) can't be trusted as they may put other things into the water... and if that's the case i'm thinking that buying additives for the 2 part could get expensive quick.. ?
Anyone want to give me some input?
I'm looking at ditching my current CA reactor set-up (since it's not up and running right now anyways).. i'm thinking of selling it and putting the sales money towards a high quality 2 part doser.
I'm looking at both the litermeter 3, and the Profilux stand alone doser... so far i'm liking the litermeter, mainly because you can add their ATO system to the main unit for only an extra 40 bucks.. and i'm in need of an ATO system as well.
One thing that worries me about the litermeter though is that it can only run 3 pumps, the one on the unit and then 2 remote pumps.. so that would be a calcium pump, an alkalinity pump, and an ATO pump.. what about magnesium? Supplement it by hand or hope that water changes are efficient enough?
I'm also worried about how much 2 part an SPS dominated 75 gallon tank would use up... i've read that the DIY methods of mixing 2 part (dow flake, and baking soda) can't be trusted as they may put other things into the water... and if that's the case i'm thinking that buying additives for the 2 part could get expensive quick.. ?
Anyone want to give me some input?
First part.... You won't ever need to dose Mg on a daily basis.... the utilization in tanks is just too small. While it would be nice to dose it along with everything else, you really don't need to. Just drop it in the tank once a week if needed.
On the contamination part... BRS is a quality and pure product, you'll be fine. You run into those issues using stuff like road salt, pool supply stuff and the like.
I own two LM3's and like them a lot. I've looked at the Profilux and like the replaceable/expandable pumping features along with the styling. The price per is about the same.. I had heard about some initial issues with the PF pumps, but those have apparently been resolved and the LM3 have a metal pump now that is a much more durable mechanism. About the only knock I have seen on the LM is the warranty work schedule... though I have heard of people sending theres in when something goes wrong and having new entire units sent back.... so I have no idea what to believe there.
I think you can't go wrong with either one... so whichever you like based on your own criteria. Both will work well.
Welcome...
I use mine to dose my 140G / 65G Frag system.. though I just got a new 300G up and running so will be switching it over to that this week. I use it to dose cal/alk. I also use their standalone pump as an ATO on my 92 LPS tank, its hooked into a JBJ ATO.
I buy my 2-part from Bulk Reef Supply. I got my add-on pumps and standalone from them as well.
uhuru
New member
I know this question was for Dave, but I would recommend the profilux over LM3. I have used the LM3 with remote pump, and now have the profilux. Even though I don't have the profilux running yet, I can tell you it is a bit more user friendly (though they are both very user friendly). Mainly though, it is more expandable, more compact and more adjustable. I mean if you came across a great deal on an LM3 go for it you won't be disappointed, but the profilux is a better doser.
Mchava
Active member
I would also agree with you. If you dont have anything yet then get the profilux. Since I already the the LM3 and 1 remote pump, I just added the second pump for the mag. But If I were to do it over again, I would go to the Profilux. It has more control over how many doses and how much you want to does a day. Oh and about the contamination when using other stuff like pool supply or road. I've been dosing in my tank with the pool supply stuff for aver a yr and a half and dont have any issues yet. As long as you do you water changes it will be fine.
cwegescheide
YOU have been ignored!
Once i tried 2 part with a Litermeter I sold both my Ca reactors. I've got a 90 gallon and I'll never screw around with a reactor again. That sucked. I don't mind mixing up a batch of 2 part every couple months. My alk/ca have never been so stable.
Similar threads
