So in planning this move to the big tank ive been kinda toying around with the idea of runnibg a calcium reactor instead of dosing. I'd like to run calcium and magnesium in the reactor. I was talking to the guys at wwc and they said after thr swtiched over to a reactor for their large display tank everything exploaded with color and growth. I see the inital cost is a big bill but what about maintenance, refills on calcium/magnesium and co2? Or is it better to just run a doser?
Calcium reactors vs dosing
- Thread starter toddmau5
- Start date
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
I don't think I will ever dose again. Hands down calcium reactor is the way to go if your tank is over 100 gal. Co2 tanks last year plus if setup properly with a large enough reactor$30 to refill. Also media changed out 1 time a year for me $30
nitr8
Active member
I've been running a CA reactor on my 1 year old 90 gallon tank for about 6 months. Only calcium media though, no mag. My mag stays at 1320 with regular water changes. As far as media and CO2 goes, my calcium is steady 425 alk 8.1 and I have not seen any change in the amount of media in the reactor and CO2 pressure hasn't dropped at all since I started using the reactor. When I started it up I drew a line on the reactor at the height of the media and I took a picture of the CO2 gauges. I'm using a GEO618 with a 10lb CO2 tank and 1 gallon of ARM extra course media. Word to the wise, use with a controller to maintain the pH in reactor instead of counting CO2 bubbles and effluent drips. Lesson from Roger. Hope this helps.
Looks like this is the way I'm wanting to go. My magnesium just gets sucked dry from the cheato so I really have to stay on top of that more then the calcium, but the calcium does get used up, but at a slower rate. I'm actually eye balling a geos618 and a deltec pf501, it's just had trying to find decent reviews or comparisons on either
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
I use zeo mag in my reactor to maintain mag. Use 10% of media as zeo mag to start then test over time if mag is still dropping add more zeo mag till it stays up. Where u want it. Just for the record. Alk is a more important parameter to monitor then calcium. Because if dosed properly balanced alk will fluctuate much faster then calcium. So in other words alk will show u changes sooner and will key u in if calcium is going to have issues. Hope I said that clear enough
nitr8
Active member
I think it's $30 to fill the tank. I ordered my tank from aquacave.com. I'm sure any refill place would have tanks for sale as well.
I know airgas has the tanks, refills aren't bad but they charge an arm and a leg if you don't already have a tank, but maybe argon is a little different lol. Reason I ask is the guy with the 618 is keeping the tank, but I found one in Orlando for $15 didn't know if it was worth the drive or cheaper to source elsewhere
MJNTWise
7 Year Newbie
Might be cheaper to ship it to you.....
Straight_Chaos
Reefer
$15 for a co2 tank is a great price. I sold two tanks from my reactor whenI sold it for like $80 and $50 each. $15 for a tank is great. Not sure if CO2 tanks need to by hydrostatic tested (Probably do) but Double check that.
Straight_Chaos
Reefer
IDK the pressure rating of Co2 cylinders but even fire extinguishers need hydro testing. $15 seems low is what I am getting at. The valve on a cylinder is worth $15.
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
This is a good deal
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2406733
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2406733
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
Yup I had that model before. It didn't keep up with my sps dom 240 total gal system
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