Dragon1979
New member
I am in the market for a good quality calx any recommendations please it going to be for 120g setup thanks
Calcium reactor
- Thread starter Dragon1979
- Start date
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Marine Technical Concepts --Mini Cal
Stolireef
Active member
Yep. Great piece of kit.
Dragon1979
New member
Is it hard to dial in with marine technical concept mini cal since there no feed pump require is there any video anywhere for setup direction
tkeracer619
New member
I prefer MRC or Precision Marine. Many other companies have a good build quality.
I'm not a big fan of any reactor that pulls effluent from the re circulation plumbing. It seems to cause trapped gas issues. Effluent should come from the lid and there is no need to recirculate co2, that's a marketing gimmick. CO2 is dirt cheap, no need to "conserve it".
Having quality equipment will go a long way to creating a stable system.
I'd definitely consider running a masteflex and either a aquarium plants electronic carbon doser or a 2 stage reg. The thread was linked above and while it adds to the cost it makes for a very stable aquarium.
Several reactors use pressure differentials to pump water through them, IME they are not immune to the normal challenges with getting a reactor dialed in though the MTC is better then most that claim no feed pump is necessary.
I'm not a big fan of any reactor that pulls effluent from the re circulation plumbing. It seems to cause trapped gas issues. Effluent should come from the lid and there is no need to recirculate co2, that's a marketing gimmick. CO2 is dirt cheap, no need to "conserve it".
Having quality equipment will go a long way to creating a stable system.
I'd definitely consider running a masteflex and either a aquarium plants electronic carbon doser or a 2 stage reg. The thread was linked above and while it adds to the cost it makes for a very stable aquarium.
Several reactors use pressure differentials to pump water through them, IME they are not immune to the normal challenges with getting a reactor dialed in though the MTC is better then most that claim no feed pump is necessary.
Dragon1979
New member
Thanks you sir I had been following the thread a lot of reading but really helpful just got little bit confuse so when I use the master flex pump just say I use 30ml/m how much water do I restrict on the effluent side how many drips/ second or just let it flow freely and just adjust the ph say 6.5 and control the bubble rate is the key to dial in and do you set on the ph monitor that if if get to 6.7 to shut of the regulator is that sound about right or I am off some where your thread help me a lot but I am little new with calx and what type of master flex and easy load head unit would you recommend thanks a lot sir
You won't need to restrict the effluent at all. The purpose of restricting it is to control your effluent rate with a non-peristaltic pump. A Masterflex or other peristaltic pump uses variable speed to control the effluent rate precisely.
When I was looking, there were a bunch of suitable Masterflex pumps out there. I went with a Watson Marlow 505u, which is a similar pump. It is allowing me to run my reactor on a currently very low demand tank, and will also provide enough flow for when the tank gets to be high demand.
When I was looking, there were a bunch of suitable Masterflex pumps out there. I went with a Watson Marlow 505u, which is a similar pump. It is allowing me to run my reactor on a currently very low demand tank, and will also provide enough flow for when the tank gets to be high demand.
Dragon1979
New member
Thank you what ph monitor you using and what number ph to set and type of media to start
gcarroll
Active member
Man, so much has changed since I started in the hobby. There are a lot of really nice reactors out there now. The main features I look for when I selecting a reactor are:
no thumb screws (pet peeve of mine, I hate them)
up flow design (lower maintenace as you don't need to clean the slude associated with down flow designs)
quiet, reliable, easily replaceable pump
As for the other items needed. I have never once had an issue feeding the pump with the custom feed pump design that I used. It is a very good alternative for thise wh just can't afford to purchase a dosing pump. The design can be found here:
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/component/zine/article/54
As for co2 regulator, I used a simple one like the Aquatic Life. It is one that comes preset and the only adjustment needed was the needle valve.
Putting the co2 on a ph controller is definitely a good way to control co2. I myself chose to tune the reactor the old fashioned way. With my next reactor, I will consider this method as well but really only employ it as a back up plan.
IMO, I see calcium reactors as a truly simple tool that is complicated in this shroud of mystery. There is no magic as to how they work. There is what is needed to make them work and there are a ton of unnecessary upgrades that can make using one easier and less stressful for those that don't have patience.
no thumb screws (pet peeve of mine, I hate them)
up flow design (lower maintenace as you don't need to clean the slude associated with down flow designs)
quiet, reliable, easily replaceable pump
As for the other items needed. I have never once had an issue feeding the pump with the custom feed pump design that I used. It is a very good alternative for thise wh just can't afford to purchase a dosing pump. The design can be found here:
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/component/zine/article/54
As for co2 regulator, I used a simple one like the Aquatic Life. It is one that comes preset and the only adjustment needed was the needle valve.
Putting the co2 on a ph controller is definitely a good way to control co2. I myself chose to tune the reactor the old fashioned way. With my next reactor, I will consider this method as well but really only employ it as a back up plan.
IMO, I see calcium reactors as a truly simple tool that is complicated in this shroud of mystery. There is no magic as to how they work. There is what is needed to make them work and there are a ton of unnecessary upgrades that can make using one easier and less stressful for those that don't have patience.
I will post a full Co2 2 stage regulator setup with 5lb aluminum tank mostly stainless steel parts, Swagelok, Ideal needle valve etc... really nice, used to be on my hi-tech planted tank.
Check it out on the for sale forum, get a nice reactor and you have a super nice and very precise piece of equipment.
Check it out on the for sale forum, get a nice reactor and you have a super nice and very precise piece of equipment.
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