Calcium Reactor vs Kalk stirrer

[CoMMaNdeR]

Guys both of these 2 are to mantain Calcium and carbonate hardness in their proper readings but I wish to know which one is the best?

Calcium Reactor or the Kalkwasser stirrer ?

 

[MCary]

I know which one I prefer, but not sure if I can explain which is best. Its a good question for Randy in the chem forum. He will have a response already written for you.

Since I have changed from dripping Kalk to a Korallin Calcium reactor, my pH has sat steady on 8.3 and my Calcium a nice 425 ppm. It is maintenance free for a year at a time. I have never had such stable sweet Ca and Alk parameters. But, my story is anecdotal. No science behind it. Check with Randy.

Mike

 

[cwklinge]

If you have the money get both. I find it's easier to keep pH stable and keep a high Ca level that way

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Thanks for your reply's. A kalk stirrer has more maintanance because you need to add kalk powder, water etc and the calcium reactor all you need to do is changing the media every few months. Also I think filling the co2 right?

How long it takes to empty the co2 bottle ?

 

[MCary]

I have a 20 pound bottle. It will last a year or more. I have heard people with 5 pound bottles say they last 6 months. Of course it depends on how high your bubble rate is. Lets just say, on average. I am dosing a 150 gallon tank and my CO2 must get blown off easily because I have a pH probe in the tank and one in the sump and it does not vary much. I don't have the low pH problems.

Mike

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Thanks again MCARY.
Another question, every how long do you change your media?

 

[MCary]

I haven't changed mine yet. I would guess when the media has reduced by two thirds I should think about replacing it.