Calcium Reactor vs. Two-part System

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10083203#post10083203 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
You would really have to be an idiot to mix it incorrectly.
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You'd think it would be really hard to not get salt mixed to the proper SG for a reef tank, but people screw it up all the time. Never understimate the stupidity of mankind.

That said, I can definitely see the attraction of a 2 part system. The cost of entry is only a couple hundred bucks at most, but I'm still on the fence.

What I find a bit worrysome is that you don't seem to indicate any benefits of a reactor over the dosing system. That's inconsistent with my experience of finding pros and cons for either of two differing methods. While you've listed the pros of dosing vs the cons of a reactor, I haven't seen any of the inverse - the cons of the 2 part solution and the pros of a reactor.

Given you considered a reactor yourself, it must have some benefits or you wouldn't have entertained that option. Can you talk about what caused you to entertain the thought of a reactor in the first place?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10083583#post10083583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rovert
You'd think it would be really hard to not get salt mixed to the proper SG for a reef tank, but people screw it up all the time. Never understimate the stupidity of mankind.

That said, I can definitely see the attraction of a 2 part system. The cost of entry is only a couple hundred bucks at most, but I'm still on the fence.

What I find a bit worrysome is that you don't seem to indicate any benefits of a reactor over the dosing system. That's inconsistent with my experience of finding pros and cons for either of two differing methods. While you've listed the pros of dosing vs the cons of a reactor, I haven't seen any of the inverse - the cons of the 2 part solution and the pros of a reactor.

Given you considered a reactor yourself, it must have some benefits or you wouldn't have entertained that option. Can you talk about what caused you to entertain the thought of a reactor in the first place?
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Well, the "idiot" who screws up mixing 2-part would probably nuke his whole tank with a reactor and kill his dog in the process. =D


I went to a reactor in the first place because I was dosing 2-part manually at the time, and it was quite a pain. Plus, all of the "big name" reefers were using reactors at the time, so it seemed like the right thing to invest in. Furthermore, I wanted the "wow factor": a bunch of nifty gizmos working in unison.. injecting co2... (I'm a bit of a gearhead).

Two reactors later, I really don't see any benefit in running a reactor, unless you're running a very large calcium/alk-demanding tank. I have a single peristaltic pump that runs a dual dripset; very efficient and easy to use. I wouldn't worry about the peristaltic malfunctioning and somehow putting more ca/alk into your tank either; it's used for IV dripping in hospitals.. malfunctioning in many cases would = death for a patient :)
 
I never had a problem with 2 part.I used 1 litre bottle of alk per week and the ca bottle(same size) would last me over a week and a half if not closer to two weeks.I was also dosing kalk for ph.I bought a kalk reactor and set it up via my tunze osmolator.It overdosed my tank while I was on vacation and everything pretty much died.I could have saved more stuff if I had given it to my friend.I will use a reef doser style pump next time so that nothing gets syphoned out along with a ph controller.I think this is a safer way to go.The tunze overdosed and then stopped working.My next tank they will be hooked up seperately so that nothing can go wrong.Plus I won't add to much kalk to the reactor just in case.This was my stupid mistake I should have set up differantly.My next tank is 300 gal and I will keep only sps clams and some lps.I will test everything before any corals are added.The reef doser worked flawlessly you do have to push a button to restart the unit if the power goes off so If there is a power failure and you are on vacation someone has to watch the tank for you
 
Ok, so help a dumb ol' boy out.

If 2-part is so simple and so effective, and reactors are so complicated and risky, why are so many reactors sold at such a significantly increased price premium compared to the 2 part systems?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10084074#post10084074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rovert
Ok, so help a dumb ol' boy out.

If 2-part is so simple and so effective, and reactors are so complicated and risky, why are so many reactors sold at such a significantly increased price premium compared to the 2 part systems?
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Because Ca reactors are exactly that.... A much more complicated system that require alot of precision instrumentation and additional hardware (bubble counter, CO2 tank, CO2 needle valve and regulator, pH meter, etc...) all this will of course cost more.

I have atheory as to why reactors are more popular though...

1. Some people are really into their equipment and that wow factor.

2. "Well since everybody who is anybody use reactors, I guess I better too" mentality

3. The illusion that having a reactor means less work and maintenance and more stability.

4. Possible status symbol? More sophisticated setup, etc... :)


Granted I can see the attraction of a reactor if your tank is very large say 300g and larger with a huge Ca demand.
 
Can anyone point me to a thread about 2-part dosing setups? People are to busy arguing in here.. lol.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10084614#post10084614 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze
Or http://www.twopartsolution.com/ also a forum sponsor. I personally use their 2 part, mag and kalk. Just buy and mix and your good to go.
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Visited that site, and it's at least one reason why I posted this thread.

There's only one thing I'm confused by.

If its a "two part" solution, why do they list three parts... Alk, Ca and Mg? I'm still a tad confused.
 
because after a while your Mg will need to be replenished as well. Mg helps maintain the balance between Ca. and Alk. when Mg is low you will have a very tough time keeping Ca. and/or Alk. up

You only need to dose Mg. once in a while ( I test and dose mine once every two months or so).
 
Because the over-the-counter stuff was in 2 parts (b-ionic). Randy's recipe added an extra part, but it's still called 2 part. Anyways, even with a reactor, you have to worry about dosing Mg.

For magnesium, however, you don't have to worry about dripping it, and it's used much less frequently (I haven't bumped my mg in over 2 months).
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10084587#post10084587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dhnguyen
What's so hard about setting one up?


One of these (or another peristaltic pump of some sort)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9965&N=2004+2032

2 containers of fluid (1 for Ca. and 1 for Alk.)

Connect them up and set your drip rate, test, and adjust accordingly.

Refill the fluid as needed.
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Nothing is "hard" about it.

I was asking specifically about the number of pumps in my previous post and even stated it was a stupid question, I have no experience with dosing pumps and thought there might be options to using one or two.. etc..? And I was hoping to catch any tips from experience, such as if possibly dripping in different sump areas was a better idea than right next to eachother? Maybe the best type of tubing? Or a discussion of pumps? Using a controller? Or good ways to run/attach it? But thanks for reminding me to refill..

Sorry for taking your time. I'll ask somewhere else.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10083583#post10083583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rovert
.

Given you considered a reactor yourself, it must have some benefits or you wouldn't have entertained that option. Can you talk about what caused you to entertain the thought of a reactor in the first place?
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dhnguyen summed it up well.....

The illusion that having a reactor means less work and maintenance and more stability.
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I had dosed manually for years and thought that buying a reactor would cost about the same as a dosing setup for 2 part and make life much easier. After researching it I basically came to the conclusion that I stated earlier in the thread:

The 2 reasons I didn't were:
1) I was already very comfortable running a tank with 2 part
2) Even with the purchase of a Litermeter and a second pump it was still much cheaper than a reactor.
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The only advantage I can see to running a Ca reactor is that the breakdown of the media will also release a certain amount of strontium and the benefits of strontium can be debated as well.

This isn't an argument....this is a civilized discussion:D

Pull up some of the old Zeo or DSB vs BB threads if you want an argument;)

hth, Chris
 
I never used a dosing pump but I just poured the 2 part directly into my sump. 90ml a day (3 shots) of each.

But I'm trying something different now puring the alk part in the morning and the calcium part at night.

How are the AquaMedic Reefdoser's? Any other recommended brands?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10082613#post10082613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
I dont know where this fallacy came about, but people frying tanks trying to adjust Ca Rx is pretty common. People frying tanks as their CO2 tanks run out and vent more CO2 is pretty common.

I've seen CaRx improperly set up move someone's dkH from 6, to 20 in 24 hours.
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Okay, I guess I should have said "with a 'properly' set up CA reactor, it is much more difficult to spike the PH in such a short amount of time which is quite possible with a 2 part."

I've never had a problem with a CA reactor malfunctioning and spiking the PH. I've only had trouble with it lowering the PH due to too much C02 entering the water column.

Bottom line is; equipment fails. If you rely on an automated system to deliver a buffer or other chemicals which can have adverse effects on the entire system, be prepared for the consequences.
 
you are more likely to have a mishap with a ca reactor than 2 part.If you use the aqua medic reef doser 2 you can dose both parts.It works like a timer goes on a certain amount per day and off.Its dummy proof.Once you get the amount of ca and alk levels its set it and forget it.You can test once a week to see levels but unless you add corals or your corals are growing levels pretty much stay the same.Its very easy to use.You add mag once a month.You are better off adding the 2 part slowly over the whole day vs one shot.This will give you a steady level,no spikes.Its better than dumping in the 2 part in one shot creating a spike and then letting the levels settle.By dosing a little at a time you always have the same levels plus no shock to the tank
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10085307#post10085307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
This isn't an argument....this is a civilized discussion:D

Pull up some of the old Zeo or DSB vs BB threads if you want an argument;)

hth, Chris
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No offense intended, or taken. I'm grateful for all viewpoints. This is fascinating for me, and I look forward to hearing other opinions.
 
Someone already said this but the only compelling reason to use a reactor imo is if you have a very large system.

I tried running my 550 reef without a reactor and I was using 1.5 liters of each part of randy's diy solutions daily.

Mixing 5 gallons every week or so gets old fast.
 
Oh yea, one other tidbit.

You CAN turn your tank into ARAGAMILK with 2 part solution.

Add both parts in sequence with little lag time in a high dose to boost a low DKH and you won't be able to see two inches into the tank.

I did this last week and it blew my mind. My tank looked like a milkshake.
 
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