Calcium Reactor vs. Two-part System
- Thread starter Rovert
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Rovert
Premium Member
I don't know where you're getting your information, but the Korallin reactor is at neither the high nor low end of the price spectrum, but does enjoy a reputation for being a very solid value for the money. I've seen reactors for $60, and I've seen reactors for $600 and up. Therefore, if you're going to throw a rock at my example, be sure you're comparing apples to apples yourself, please. In fact that brings me to the next point...
Well, that's not the comparison I was making, but now that you bring it up, you've made a good point. One of the claimed benefits of the dosing system is the cost of entry, which is significantly diminished if you make your own reactor.
As to the Mg dosing, there are reactor media brands that do have Mg in them, but that's a decent point and since it's not really much of a factor, I'll take it out of the decision matrix. However, the other points still weigh on my mind.
When I priced reactors I came up with similar numbers to what Rich stated earlier in the thread.
High end 2 part ~ $600
High end Ca Rx ~ $1000
FWIW in all my research I decided on a Geo reactor(MRC was second) if that helps any....and poor George has answered a bunch of my questions on reactors and skimmers without my spending a dime
Chris
High end 2 part ~ $600
High end Ca Rx ~ $1000
FWIW in all my research I decided on a Geo reactor(MRC was second) if that helps any....and poor George has answered a bunch of my questions on reactors and skimmers without my spending a dime
Chris
rleechb
New member
Here was my cost comparison:
REACTOR -
Reeftek Reactor: $300
Regulator: $95
Co2 Equipment: $80
Media: $40
Feed pump: $20
pH controller: $150
Total: $685
2 Part -
Pump: $139 (Price was recently raised to $199 per innovativeaquatics).
2 part: ~ $20 total
2 One Gallon Containers ~ $2
Total: $161
Pretty big price difference. 2 part, as previously mentioned, was significantly easier to setup/maintain, as well. As far a "trace elements" are considered, I would be very, very surprised if you noticed any sort of difference in your tank. If you didn't do water changes for a year, maybe you'd run into "trace element" issues, but your problems would probably extend beyond the lack of trace elements.
Seriously, if you're really concerned about dosing 2-part being unnatural, then you should also consider your lighting, skimming, synthetic salt, etc.
rleechb
New member
I think kalk is a good supplement to a CA reactor, due to pH being lowered by co2. However, kalk by itself isn't too hot, ime... you either end up with too much kalk being dosed along with evaporation (low ca/alk demands) or not enough (which warrants using 2 part). In the latter situation, you might as well dose the 2 part w/o kalk.
Rovert
Premium Member
Once again I think this comparison is evasive. I don't see a pH probe in the 2 part system. Apples with apples, please. Yes, the reactor setup more expensive, but there is an argument to be made that there are convenience benefits that the incremental price difference offers.
I also don't recall using the word "unnatural" with regard to the 2 part component chemicals. What I did say was:
I simply pointed out that there seems to be a greater opportunity to introduce variability in the strength (concentration) of the materials, and a greater risk of introducing impurities. But you again raise a good point, and all you need to do is to look at the various reviews of synthetic salt mixes and their respective components to answer your own question about the potential risks of imbalanced or impure chemicals.
Furthermore because the reactor was using exactly the core components that nature used herself to create the coral in the first place, that it more closely replicated the process in reverse, rather than a 2 part system.
I stand by these two points. How significant they are in the grand scheme of things, is anyone's guess, though. They might not amount to any difference in tank health at all. But I think it's worth asking the question.
MJAnderson
Premium Member
Kalk is really helpful in keeping PH up. I have a new house (read 'airtight') and without kalk I would have a hard time above 8.
RichConley
New member
But theres no NEED to run a pH probe in a 2 part system. If you bake the baking soda, theres no pH effect.
Rovert
Premium Member
Ah. So now we're baking the soda. Two parts and cooking? Suddenly things just got more complicated. Hmmmm... I dunnow.. would a touch of garlic and some cajun spices help?
Could it not be argued that once set up, that there's no need for a pH probe in a reactor system? Sure, you have to test pH during the setup process, but once done, it's over. For that, one doesn't need a probe, either. However in my case, my tank pH tends to run a tad high anyway, so the reducing effect is welcome. Furthermore, we ought to be periodically checking our tank pH anyway, so I don't see this as a necessary expenditure.
Again, I'm just trying to get my head around all this. The 2 part systems really do have a lot going for them, and I've been using B-Ionic for years, but it has some drawbacks, and I'm considering my alternatives.
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
ph probe and meter are around $100 you are still less than a reactor.If you think that you are not going to mess with the reactor you are mistaken.Never mind the pump that can fail.My buddy had the Deltec that failed after 4 months and he was lucky the store owner gave him another reactor(after 3 weeks) because he had to order the pump.Ask Anthony Calfo what he thinks of them and there reliability.
Rovert
Premium Member
Steve, again, apples to apples, please.
To suggest that you don't have to twaddle with drip rate or dosing pumps in a 2 part solution is irresponsibly misleading. Dripping 2-part can easily drive pH out of sight if you don't bake the soda, which means you have to monitor tank pH just the same as you do with a reactor. Everything in this hobby requires some sort of tweaking. Period.
Also, I find it amusing that the scenario you indicate would happen. Unless your friend broke the reactor housing, the pump they use is an off-the-shelf Eheim. They're available everywhere. Dosing pumps can fail, too.
I think everyone is clear on the fact that a reactor setup will cost more than plastic jugs and a couple dosing pumps and controllers to activate them. What's not been made clear is that the additional cost brings some benefits, though perhaps those benefits don't mean much to the 2 part guys, which is why you chose that route. And what's not fair is to compare DIY 2 part systems to branded reactors. Not once has there been a comparison to a DIY reactor. So that's not entirely forthright.
What has not been made clear which I've learned so far is that with the cost savings seems to come a sacrifice of convenience, and what I perceive to be some very legitimate questions about component quality and consistency. There are also valid points to be made for a reactor that have not been presented fairly.
I think it's misleading to imply that 2 part systems are completely care-free and without their own share of risks and sacrifices of convenience, which is the picture that's being painted here. Case in point, it wasn't until page 4 of this dialog (nearly page 5, at the rate we're going) that the baking of one component came up. Funny how that didn't rear its head until now.
I hoped for an honest assessment of the pros and cons of each type of strategy. What I feel hasn't been done here thoroughly is the presentation of the downsides of a 2 part system, and what I perceive to be an exaggeration of the cost and complexity of a reactor.
For some of you, you are more comfortable with one than the other. For instance, fishdoc11 has been very clear that he's voicing his opinion based on his preferences and needs. But the way it's been presented here by some unfairly skews a reader to a 2 part system which may not be what they need based on their tank and lifestyle.
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steve the plumb
In Memoriam
I ran the 2 part on my 150 for over 2 years.I did use kalk only because of my low Ph.I never messed with the doser unit.Only when I added 3 or 4 more corals did I need to adjust the dosage and that wasn't constant.More often than not I left the doser alone for several months.Once you know your tanks needs its pretty much leave it alone.You may have to change the time to dose more but I can tell you for the most part I would test 3 times per week and my readings were pretty much the same.I never fiddle with the thing.I used the aqua medic reef doser.My buddy will tell you the same thing it works great.I will be using the same method on my large tank.It will however be interesting to see how much is needed on a large tank.Yes it is a bit of a pain to bake the baking soda but if your ph is low you should bake it if your ph is high or regular you don't need to bake it.Like I said on a large tank(300 plus 100 gal sump) I don't know once the tank is full of corals how much of the 2 part I will need.I think if it gets to the point where I need 1 gallon per day of each it would be a real pain to do so but I don't think I will need more than 1 gal per week based on my old tank and its needs
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steve the plumb
In Memoriam
You bake the baking soda in the oven at 350 for one hour.It drys the baking soda or gets as much of the humidity out.Its more for people that have a low ph(like myself)If your ph is normal to high you don't need to bake it.Its even easier then less preperation.I used to bake a pound or two at a time and it was fairly simple.You can then make your batch of cal and alk and store it.I used to top off my jugs at the end of each week
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