Calcium Reactor

[JxMetal]

Ok, so I've begun looking into getting a cheap calcium reactor. I don't have much room under the tank for one so here's what I've come across.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=VA3111

What else will be needed to get this thing going?

This could become a long thread because I simply don't understand calcium reactors.

Thanks

 

[chadfarmer]

co2 bottle(with co2 inside), regulator, media, and feed pump (optional ph controller and or ph monitor)


never seen one of those in action so i cant tell you how good it works and or reliability


maybe look into the clear canister ones like mpcart uses

 

[JxMetal]

Alright, how many pounds of media fit in here probably?

 

[JxMetal]

oh and what size pumps are used for a reactor? It's slow flow right?

 

[chadfarmer]

less than 10 lbs and you can use a mini jet 606 and up (Maxijet, ECT)

 

[mpcart]

I'd give that one a try. The canister alone on my DIY project was $60. $49.99 is hard to beat.

I agree with chadfarmer, a pH controller is optional. However, it is nice to have when you are trying to get the thing dialed in.

-Mike

 

[Reggae Fish]

make sure you have enough room for the co2 cylinder as well.
2.5 lb. is 4" diameter
5 lb. is 5" diameter.

 

[JxMetal]

So is this the same basic idea as yours Mike?

 

[mpcart]

I can't really tell how the one you found works. It looks like an upflow design not unlike a phosban reactor. Here is the thread I followed when I built mine. It's fun if you are the DIY type but its hard to beat a $50 version if you have a small tank.

By the way, I use a 5lb CO2 tank that I fit under the stand of my 58.

-Mike

 

[zt444a]

Make sure you get an aluminum tank... not sure if they make 5lb tanks in steel. You don't want any rust stains.... Not sure how much room you have left Jeff. Might try a kalk reactor instead....

 

[JxMetal]

I have a 10" x 10" square to play with under the stand.

 

[mpcart]

You have 10 x 10 for the reactor and the tank? If you get a short reactor you could put it above your sump. That's how i have mine.

I think I have a steel tank since it is a little bit rusty. I just trade it in whenever I have to refill.

-Mike

 

[Reggae Fish]

Ask jack about his. I think he has/had an MRC HOB that had a very small footprint. I think I saw that he went back to the korallin. Might be selling??? 10x10 is not a very large space if you're including the co2 tank. Remember, the tank alone has a 5" diameter.

 

[JxMetal]

right......howards talked me into a kalk reactor now. yet I have no idea what it does or how it works.. :lol:

 

[sirreal63]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9854205#post9854205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JxMetal
right......howards talked me into a kalk reactor now. yet I have no idea what it does or how it works.. :lol:

That's ok, neither does Howard.


I am hanging onto the MRC, I have it perfectly re-designed and very efficient. It will work as a backup.

 

[JxMetal]

With a Kalk reactor would I need a water reservoir for top off? I currently just fill up gallons of water and dump in a gallon a day.

Would the kalk reactor still work with this method of topping off?

 

[chadfarmer]

kalk is used and mixed with auto-top off water to be added to your tank

 

[sirreal63]

A kalk reactor does not replace a calcium reactor. As your corals grow, kalk alone may not keep up and probably won't. A calcium reactor will keep up and keep stability. I would try the cheap one, if need be we can always re-design it.

 

[JxMetal]

well kalk reactor is out of the question since I don't have ato water.

ok I guess i'll slowly buy parts for a calcium reactor.