Calcium Reactor vs. Two-part System

[Snarkys]

3) That 2 part systems are a low-tech solution

many of us would consider this to be a positive thing. The higher tech you go the more stuff there is to mess with and possibly go wrong. many people prefer to keep it as simple as possible, hence the popularity of kalkwasser in top off water. that's about as low tech as you get and extremely effective for low to medium consumption tanks.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380444#post10380444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sirreal63
Rich...do you ever agree with anything anyone says? lol

Theres two reasons I consistently disagree with people:

1) What theyre saying violates the laws of physics. Most commonly conservation of energy (pump heats, light heat, etc).

2) Theyre spouting inanity, like comparing topoff methods to ikea furniture.


Rover is trying to basically suggest that 2-part isnt "classy". Its not "sophisticated". C'mon.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380839#post10380839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
... Rover is trying to basically suggest that 2-part isnt "classy". Its not "sophisticated". C'mon.

:lol: I would love to see how far apples, oranges, Ikea and Maurice Villency end up in our aquariums

In any case I think the point has been made that all methods have their place in the hobby and although all work rather properly when done correctly one might be more suitable than the other for a particular circumstance. It is to the hobbyist, to research and recognize the set of circumstances that will tip the choice of one over the other.

 

[sirreal63]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380923#post10380923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
In any case I think the point has been made that all methods have their place in the hobby and although all work rather properly when done correctly one might be more suitable than the other for a particular circumstance. It is to the hobbyist, to research and recognize the set of circumstances that will tip the choice of one over the other.

This is exactly right IMHO...do what works for you. If the two part is a hassle for you then find a good reactor, it doesn't have to be a huge investment either way.

 

[Siffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380839#post10380839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
1) What theyre saying violates the laws of physics.

Oh, are we not allowed to do that? Come on, everyone's doing it, join along.

I have to go install a top off reservoir in a lazy boy now.

 

[Rovert]

Clearly some people 'round these parts have difficulty grasping metaphors. I'll pick someting easier to understand next time.

 

[medic29]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380325#post10380325 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Reactors are no more high-tech than 2-part. Theyre just significantly more expensive.

Man, you hit the nail right on the head there. The reactors are not really high tech, which begs the question....why in the world does everyone charge so much? Probably less than $75-100 at most involved in supplies to build the reactor at retail prices!

The person who can built a decent skimmer can most definitely build a decent reactor.

As for the peristaltic pumps....they are incredibly basic as well...if you have ever taken one apart. Just a 12v motor that turns around at a slow rate, which is variable due to circuitry. Then the programming for the chip. Not a much to it.

 

[sirreal63]

They charge so much for reactors because people will pay it.

 

[davidryder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380923#post10380923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
:lol: I would love to see how far apples, oranges, Ikea and Maurice Villency end up in our aquariums

:lol: :rollface: :lol: :rollface:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380923#post10380923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck

In any case I think the point has been made that all methods have their place in the hobby and although all work rather properly when done correctly one might be more suitable than the other for a particular circumstance. It is to the hobbyist, to research and recognize the set of circumstances that will tip the choice of one over the other.

Right! That point has been crystallized for some time now... at least I thought.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10381283#post10381283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rovert
Clearly some people 'round these parts have difficulty grasping metaphors. I'll pick someting easier to understand next time.

How considerate!!! Or at least mix them up a little bit

 

[medic29]

So true!!! Just like the metal halide bulbs. Ever go get one for a lamp in a gymnasium or parking lot??? Significantly cheaper!!!

I guess it just goes to show...we as hobbiest basically set the prices. If we are willing to pay the price....the manufacturer will charge it.

This reminds me of pro sports. A kid can't afford to go to a pro baseball game anymore....not with those prices. Why the price..well look at what the players receive. If fans will pay it, they will demand it.

That sounds just like what I had said earlier.

 

[NanoCube-boy]

where is Randy's recipe?
I never really understand how calcium react work? What they run on? what's in it...?

 

[Siffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10383524#post10383524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoCube-boy
where is Randy's recipe?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
Scroll down to "Calcium and Alkalinity".

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10383524#post10383524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoCube-boy I never really understand how calcium react work?

Creating carbonic acid by injecting high amounts of CO2 into a somewhat isolated amount of saltwater. This lowers the pH of that saltwater and dissolves the media inside. A small portion of the isolated water is returned to the tank saturated with Ca and CO3 and more tank water is introduced into the reactor.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10383524#post10383524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoCube-boy What they run on?

Magic. er, Chemistry. But the main parts are ARM (Aragonite Reactor Media), Carbon Dioxide, and NaClH2O.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10383524#post10383524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoCube-boy what's in it...?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CS0525.html
Dead corals... Mostly Calcium Carbonate, but also Magnesium, Strontium, and a bunch of trace elements.

 

[NanoCube-boy]

Siffy, Thanks for the replied.
Do you change the ARM often or just leave it? So it needs co2 in order to be in used?

 

[sirreal63]

The media dissolves (which is where the calcium and alk come from) so it has to be replenished. The co2 is used to lower the ph of the water in the reactor low enough to cause the media to slowly dissolve. Simple chemistry.

 

[NanoCube-boy]

nice. thanks for the replied.

 

[Drewcipher]

Well, I must say that despite some of the stuff going on here, I think I am going with a reactor. I like the idea of the 2 parts simplicity, but it doesn't seem that it will be the right thing for a 225 tank and 300 gallons of water volume. We will be populated with primarily LPS, so we should have a pretty high consumption.

Out of curiosity, when buying bulk 2 part to mix yourself, how many gallons, does a 50 lbs bag make? What is the mix ration?

 

[NanoCube-boy]

Drewcipher, I think you are on the right track with me. If you have a tank over 100, you must go with the reactor because dosing a part 1 and 2 for tanks these big might end your wallet and time to making sure it's balance.

 

[sirreal63]

FWIW there is a thread in the sps keepers forum where people are posting pics of their tanks and listing their equipment. I was curious who was dosing and who had a Rx...the results are interesting but should by no means indicate one is better than the other.

31 people listed specifically which they used, some did not and were left out of the tally.
26 people use a reactor
4 dose a 2-part
1 relied on kalk alone

All of the tanks posted are stunning and further proof that both ways do work. I did find it interesting that the vast majority of the people posting there use a reactor.

 

[NanoCube-boy]

Well, what ever works, it work... I use dosing myself, but it's up to people who feel what they want to do. Dosing or Rxing... It's all good...

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10385663#post10385663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoCube-boy
Drewcipher, I think you are on the right track with me. If you have a tank over 100, you must go with the reactor because dosing a part 1 and 2 for tanks these big might end your wallet and time to making sure it's balance.

FWIW, based on the prices I can get dowflake, etc, locally, the Two-Part price NEVER goes above the Ca Reactor price.

So, if you can get dowflake and the other ingredients locally, and cheap, its still an option for very large tanks. If you cant get it locally, and have a big tank with high demand, the Ca Rx is definitely going to be cheaper in the long run.