Calcium Reactor

[fallinapart]

I'm setting up a Calcium Reactor (Korallin) and looking to buy some media. Was told that I could use crushed coral substrate and save some money. Would this be ok? and is there some advantage to commercial reactor media?

anyone know good Place to refill C02 Bottle in Murfreesboro?

Thanks

Norman

 

[c_stowers]

I've heard that crushed coral is fine to run as well. I am currently running Carib Sea ARM in mine and I am happy with it. I don't know where you can get a CO2 bottle filled in murfreesboro, but Volunteer Welding filled mine for me in Nashville.

 

[c_stowers]

I also have some old reactor media (which came with my reactor when I purchased it used). The guy I bought it from said it worked well, but I replaced it anyways. Your welcome to it if you want. Just let me know.

 

[fallinapart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11398036#post11398036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by c_stowers
I've heard that crushed coral is fine to run as well. I am currently running Carib Sea ARM

Thanks for the reply, and I think I will try to get that from you at the frag swap. I also am curious as why you chose Carib Sea ARM over that media. I mean is it just that you prefer Carib Sea brand or were looking for better results from the media.

I'm looking for good results & if you chose Carib Sea for that reason, then I might be looking for a quality commercial media also. I don't want to buy & set up an expensive piece of equipment and then use a less effective media

Norman

 

[chadfarmer]

i wish you luck with that reactor

i had one in the past

 

[fallinapart]

I take it that you did not like it. but thanks for the well wishes

Norman

 

[chadfarmer]

what model did you get

 

[fallinapart]

got the C-1502 and using it on a 90g tank

Norman

 

[c_stowers]

The reason why I run the Carib Sea Arm is that I hear it is just easier to run than crushed coral. Supposidly it will dissolve at a higher pH.

 

[Mdwannabe]

FWIIW:

I have a Korallin reactor that has always worked well in the past, this refill I tried crushed coral and my calcium levels are not as good as they should be.
While this could be due to a number of reasons, my decision was to re-order the media my reactor manufacturer sells.

 

[fallinapart]

Thanks, That was in the back of my mind and made me question the suggestion to just use crushed coral. I was not sure if those commercial products might help with some trace minerals or not. But I think I will start with some commercial product.

Norman

 

[H@rry]

I wondered about the same thing (using crushed coral) but decided that no more difference in cost than it is I wouldn't take a chance.

On another note, a few months ago I got some kind of media from Premium Aquatics (I forgot the name) that is nothing more than little one inch pieces of acropora skeletons broken up. While the alk level is still within tolerances, it does not look like the media is being consumed like I think it should. I have a secondary chamber that contains "regular" media and that probably is accounting for the alk level. I won't use that again.

 

[chadfarmer]

h@rry

sounds like schuran or gen x media

 

[H@rry]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11405605#post11405605 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chadfarmer
h@rry

sounds like schuran or gen x media

Yeah, I think it was schuran. What do you know about it?

 

[NeveSSL]

FWIW, Norman... they have some media at ReefGeek.

Brandon

 

[fallinapart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11405811#post11405811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
FWIW, Norman... they have some media at ReefGeek.

Brandon

Hey Brandon
Thanks for the info, they were also the cheapest I found. Please add the following to my list

ARM Calcium Reactor Media - 8 lbs. $16.95
Manufacturer: CaribSea
Item #: 103783


Thanks
Norman

 

[fallinapart]

Thanks to everyone for all the info in helping me choose a media for my reactor.

Norman

 

[chadfarmer]

just make sure you are careful with the ph in the reactor most of the time i had arm turn to mush (the fine stuff with a ph under 6.4)

have fun with the new toy

 

[fallinapart]

Thanks, I'll track that.

Norman

 

[reefsahoy]

how do you guys like the korallin ca reactor? looking to getting a ca reactor for a 90 and need a small footprint. thanks