Calcium reactor yes or no?

[STsONpERs]

I have planned and am now buying for my tank, but i realized that this hobby is expensive...not that i didnt know, just looks cheaper on paper..

So i am setting the setup a little bit back, so i can have more time to purchase.

The tank is going to be a sps dominant tank, 120 gallons.

Should i add a calcium reactor?

I wont be able to fit in the stand i have now, but i could make a little add on the side of the tank...is it worth the $800 ??

Would love to hear peoples opinions.....or am i just setting myself up for the "if you have the money...buy it"...

Thanx guys..

Also if the majority says yes what are some calcium reactors i should look at for that size tank.

If not what do you guys dose for calcium.

Chris

 

[cward]

If you don't mind dosing the 2 part everyday, then I would say no. Adding one to my system was one of the best decisions that I've made.

 

[OO7]

I've got no experience with CA reactors so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but with a 120g system that is predominantly SPS, dosing 2 part will become very tedious and expensive, even if using the home-made two part.

Personally, on a 120, I'd get a reactor . . . .

 

[pdkinsel]

A Ca reactor has saved me time. Once set up, no hassles.

 

[STsONpERs]

K, with comments like best decisions i have made i have to get a reactor then.....but whcih one for that size tank?

 

[David Grigor]

4 years ago, I too would have said best decision I ever made. I used a reactor from 1996 up until about 2004 on systems from a 90g up to 320g.

However, Now with the DIY 2 part and a couple of dosing pumps for $200 upfront costs I'd say that's the better way to go.

I doubt I will ever do a reactor again. No reason to add CO2 to a tank unless absolutely necessary. Especially in the beginning. If after your fully loaded with SPS / Acros and consumption rate gets too high to mess with ( several hundred ml a day ) then I'd revisit the CA reactor discussion.

2 Part can be just as much set it and forget it as a CA reactor with the right equipment and until you get into the extreme upper limits it should suffice.

 

[STsONpERs]

I actually read on thereeftank about you saying that david..

So you would reccommend buying a pump to dose, and then when my tank starts getting fully loaded with sps start thinking about the calcium reactor.

What dosing pump?
What should i dose?

Thanx
Chris

 

[cward]

I had a fully stocked 120 and used a Geo 612. I would forget adding the dosing pump just to save money, although if you get a good one they are very precise.

 

[twon8]

i've bought two litermeter 3's

i use them to top off with kalk on two seperate systemsand it will meet your ca alk demand for a while, and once it gets larger you can add additional pumps for the additional ca/alk demand using randy's homemade two part.

i have a 180 with lots of sps and it meets the demand with kalk alone, my 90 needs additional supplementation.