Calcium reactor

rogerwilco357

rogerwilco357

Active member
Well I have A 120 gallon tank with sump and have been dosing by hand for 2 years then went to brs 2 part with dosers over the last 2 years and now I hear how Ca reactors are set and forget and the media last 6months or more and that sounds like money saved which is my main goal to save money and have my calcium stable and safe. Now what brand would most say is the best built and reliable ? What other parts are needed the bubble counter , valves and Co2 tank is there a paticular maker you guys trust over another brand? Is there a brand I should steer clear from due to bad workmanship or just being faulty? Any input or intel is appreciated this is just another piece to the puzzle of getting my tank setup and ready for sps...Lastly on my mind if the Ca reactor does the calcium what or how do you maintain your alk? another reactor with different media?
 
Last edited:
A ca reactor will maintain your alk with a steady precision. The biggest factor by far is to use a digital electronic regulator from aquariumplants . com. They have the patent on it. The calcium media naturally contains calcium, alk, strontium, and many other trace elements that are beneficial to coral. For a specific brand of reactor the Geo's are nice. I have a Shuran that works well. I'm repeating myself but the reactor doesn't matter so much as the co2 regulator as that is the heart and brains of the system.
 
Have been running a GEO calcium reactor for a couple of years. Once I got it dialed in it just runs itself. All I do is clean it out when it needs a media change. Most suppliers will kit it up if you want with the required tank valve, probe and controllers. I also run a kalk reactor connected to my ATO to keep alk and pH in check.

Joe
 
The single most important thing to be sure to get is a CO2 controller to control the solenoid. That alone will save you a ton of hassle and headache.

Personally I reviewed several units in the market and built my own. I've ran it for the last 8 years. Would I make a couple modifications, certainly. Did it work out great, absolutely. Built it 8 years ago for about $200 for the pump, acrylic body, and parts. Then around $80 for the tank, $80 for the Milwaukee regulator system, and $100 for the CO2 controller.
 
I too have been dosing 2 part and going to switch to a CaRx on my new upgrade. I picked up a Korallin reactor and am planning to use my Reef Keeper Lite to control the regulator for the Co2.
 
can you elaborate on how your going to use the reef keeper to help regulate the Co2? I have the Reefkeeper already doing alot for me and this would be awesome . Just need more insight as to how your setup is utilizing the controller ? What about the bubble counter is that a separate part or does it come with the regulator or Reactor?
thanks for all the intel I had no clue that it would help stabilize my alkalinity too wow this is sounding like a win win situation.
thanks again .
Roger
 
I have a 66 gallon RSM and have a Geo 612 calcium reactor running on it with a Milwaukee MC122 ph controller. I don't know the brand on the solenoid or the tank because I found the system used (all except the ph controller and media) for $100. After cleaning it up, hooking everything up and putting media in it, I spent about two months dialing it in and have barely adjusted it in over two years. I use CaribSea ARM media (coarse size) which keeps calcium, alk, and mag inline for me. So far I haven't needed to change the media but I will probably be doing that soon.

Basically the way you use a ph controller with a calcium reactor is to control the ph inside the reactor. You still need to dial in a good bubble count/rate and have the proper effluent adjustment. The ph controller adds redundancy by keepin the ph from dropping too low or rising too high. It keeps the ph consistent for optimal use of the media in the reactor. This does make the bubble count somewhat less important but if you adjust the bubble count close to what it should be the reactor will be more efficient with co2 usage. I believe nikecivic is going to use the reef keeper in the same way one would use a ph controller; set the max ph level that is acceptable and program it to turn the solenoid on whenever the ph reaches a certain level in order to drop it back down. My ph controller is set to turn the solenoid on at 7.6 so that if the ph started to rise above 7.6 the solenoid kicks on, allowing ph to enter the reactor which drops the ph back down to or below 7.6.
 
reactor

reactor

First and foremost , reactor of choice is the MOST important part of getting a reliable source of calcium/KH ! A good regulator does not have to be an expensive digital unit whatsoever...unless it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside..LOL! Three hundred dollars for a regulator would be better spent on upgrading to a higher model of calcium reactor. I've been selling and have owned calcium reactors for over 15 years since they surfaced. I have used only good industry type of regulators along with a medical grade "needlevalve" and I am still servicing these reef systems that still use the very same regulator and needlevalve's today ! What is very important is that NOT all calcium reactors are created equal;case in point ,I have used and or have serviced all kinds of reactor brands out there and have in fact used different brands on my own personal reef tank at home and have had many fluctuations in performance from inferior type units that could not keep the effluent output constant without having to be on top of these units day to day. The principle of dissolving the media into a solution is not new by any means but too many companies try to "re-invent" the wheel on designing their units, however alot of these units require a feed pump, and an air diffuser to "blow off" the excess co2 gas and have to be "fiddled" with to make the output effluent drip constanty ! I am partial to a well designed two chamber calcium reactor that is Not a reverse flow , but feeds at the top of the first chamber than uses the second chamber as a "slave" too use up every bit of C02 before dripping into the sump (this keeps the PH at about 7.9-8.00 without using any type of PH meter or any controller). Another critaria is to buy an unit that is well made using a good reliable external pump not a unit that require's an sump pump to push water in it or alse the reactor might lock up with excess C02. Again I am still sevicing tanks that have a 13-15 year old two chamber calcium reactor and the external pump is still working !!! The reactor should be very easy to access to pour media into it with pulling the whole unit apart.Bottom line is , you don't need too spend a gillzallian dollars an accessories to get a poory designed reactor to perform , which ultimately will fail regardless . Spend the money on a high end calcium reactor and get a good regulator with a medical grade needlevalve , a solenoid shut off valve (good quality-quiet) is usefull and you will be very happy with the results without fiddling around with it ,just set and forget!
Cheers
bernie lyons
 
Last edited:
bernie lyons said:
First and foremost , reactor of choice is the MOST important part of getting a reliable source of calcium/KH ! A good regulator does not have to be an expensive digital unit whatsoever...unless it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside..LOL! Three hundred dollars for a regulator would be better spent on upgrading to a higher model of calcium reactor. I've been selling and have owned calcium reactors for over 15 years since they surfaced. I have used only good industry type of regulators along with a medical grade "needlevalve" and I am still servicing these reef systems that still use the very same regulator and needlevalve's today ! What is very important is that NOT all calcium reactors are created equal;case in point ,I have used and or have serviced all kinds of reactor brands out there and have in fact used different brands on my own personal reef tank at home and have had many fluctuations in performance from inferior type units that could not keep the effluent output constant without having to be on top of these units day to day. The principle of dissolving the media into a solution is not new by any means but too many companies try to "re-invent" the wheel on designing their units, however alot of these units require a feed pump, and an air diffuser to "blow off" the excess co2 gas and have to be "fiddled" with to make the output effluent drip constanty ! I am partial to a well designed two chamber calcium reactor that is Not a reverse flow , but feeds at the top of the first chamber than uses the second chamber as a "slave" too use up every bit of C02 before dripping into the sump (this keeps the PH at about 7.9-8.00 without using any type of PH meter or any controller). Another critaria is to buy an unit that is well made using a good reliable external pump not a unit that require's an sump pump to push water in it or alse the reactor might lock up with excess C02. Again I am still sevicing tanks that have a 13-15 year old two chamber calcium reactor and the external pump is still working !!! The reactor should be very easy to access to pour media into it with pulling the whole unit apart.Bottom line is , you don't need too spend a gillzallian dollars an accessories to get a poory designed reactor to perform , which ultimately will fail regardless . Spend the money on a high end calcium reactor and get a good regulator with a medical grade needlevalve , a solenoid shut off valve (good quality-quiet) is usefull and you will be very happy with the results without fiddling around with it ,just set and forget!
Cheers
bernie lyons
Click to expand...

which reactor would you recommend?
 
reactor recommended

reactor recommended

SaltWater226 said:
which reactor would you recommend?
Click to expand...

SaltWater226 , my personal choice of calcium reactor that I have used for many many years on my tanks and am still servicing on a clientele's tank (15 years ) and still has the original recirculating pump (iwaki 20) on it, is the Marine Technical Concepts Pro-Cal and Mini Cal-reactors. These units are a dual chamber setup that feeds at the top of the "main chamber" and uses the secondary "slave" chamber to absorb any excess C02. Fact is, these guys were the very first company to bring out a "dual chamber" reactor long before other manufactures copied them! Incredibly reliable and a true "hands off" type of unit that does not require tweeking of any kind once set. when I was in the retail business (16 years) I sold Deltec , knop, and MTC calcium reactors and the MTC was by far the most reliable and the best built . I also do not use and would not use any meters hooked into these units as it is a waste of money frankly- they run perfectly well without them ! I've seen the schuran reactors which at the time I was interested in bringing in as a line , however, having seen these units in action , they do require a great deal of attention day in day out and the construction of the "necks" where the "jaco fittings" are were quite flimsy. Interestingly, the distributor in canada droped the line after problems with the units. Anyways , I hope this helps ...


Cheers
 
Last edited:
calcium reactor

calcium reactor

Johnic said:
So in short...does everyone recommend doing a calc reactor over doser with 2 part ?
Click to expand...

I used two part solutions on my reef displays in the store , however a good ca reactor wil be more consistant as the dose is over a 24 hour period and is more stable. Two part solutions will initially "spike" the system then settle down after it's dosed into the sump or tank. I don't trust someone else to do the dosing when I'm on vacation , so I much prefer to have an reactor do everything and leave things alone .
 
Gotcha....thanks

What reactor is the consensus here...GEO?
I would be looking for a turn key setup....any other suggestions?
 
reactor

reactor

Johnic said:
Gotcha....thanks

What reactor is the consensus here...GEO?
I would be looking for a turn key setup....any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Geo is a good brand , but is a single chamber design which will produce a little more C02 at the effluent end going into your sump , I prefer the MTC (marine technical concepts) dual chamber design's as all the C02 gets used up by the time the effluent goes to your sump and as a result will have a higher PH to match your tanks PH - no need for a controller or ph meter , therefore saving you money !
These units are very much "turn key" type reactors - set and forget it.
 
Ok. Let me look into that one. Sounds good to me, I won't need a controller. But how do you adjust it not knowing what it's producing ?
 
MTC reactor

MTC reactor

Johnic said:
Ok. Let me look into that one. Sounds good to me, I won't need a controller. But how do you adjust it not knowing what it's producing ?
Click to expand...

Johnic, always start up slowly when first setting up the reactor/C02, give it about 24 hours than test your main tanks water for PH, Alk/KH . Obviously you will have to adjust certain parameters but always adjust them slowly then leave alone for another 24-48 hours then test you tanks water again until things begin to settle. I usually run my calcium from 375-425 innitially and the ALK/KH at around 10. When you achieve this in the first 2-4 days , let the reactor run for a week with some periodic testing. On the second week tweek up the reactor /C02 and then test afterwards until desired results . I only test the tank once a week and that's it with the MTC reactor,it's 'foolproof' !
Ofcourse , I would suggest calling MTC and ask for their input as well.
 
bernie lyons said:
Johnic, always start up slowly when first setting up the reactor/C02, give it about 24 hours than test your main tanks water for PH, Alk/KH . Obviously you will have to adjust certain parameters but always adjust them slowly then leave alone for another 24-48 hours then test you tanks water again until things begin to settle. I usually run my calcium from 375-425 innitially and the ALK/KH at around 10. When you achieve this in the first 2-4 days , let the reactor run for a week with some periodic testing. On the second week tweek up the reactor /C02 and then test afterwards until desired results . I only test the tank once a week and that's it with the MTC reactor,it's 'foolproof' !
Ofcourse , I would suggest calling MTC and ask for their input as well.
Click to expand...

Good advice.....I will call them tomorrow...
So..the reactor will keep my Alk, PH and Calc in check ???
Im limited on footprint....but Im liking the MTC reactor.

Thanks
 
I've been running the MTC Procal for 5 years now with great results. Get a decent regulator and you will be set. My system is around 400 gallons total.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

rrrrob
starting up again - reactor question
Replies
19
Views
3K
rrrrob
rrrrob
FOX-FACE fanboy….
Calcium reactor components
Replies
7
Views
611
FOX-FACE fanboy….
FOX-FACE fanboy….
Chris Craig
Which Peristaltic Pump??
Replies
1
Views
1K
Salt water taffy
S
H
Alkalinity/Calcium Balance
Replies
1
Views
2K
griss
griss
griss
Mystery Solved
Replies
12
Views
517
Sugar Magnolia
Sugar Magnolia
Back
Top