Calcium reactors?

[rkehockey16]

i am starting to shop for calcium reactors and i really dont know what i need to look for. i want something really nice, that i dont have to worry about it killing my PH, i have heard of the main brand names, korallin, knob, MRC, deltec. I would much rather pay for quaility than something that will give me problems. i am wanting to put SPS and clams in the tank so i want something that will really be good for their growth. i would really like it if you guys point me in the right direction.
thanks
paul m.

 

[manderx]

i would start with a kalk reactor, since alot of times just a kalk reactor can handle the tank's needs (mine is for the moment), and 99 times out of 100 you *need* one when running a calcium reactor to keep your tank pH up. i see calcium reactors as secondary and just for making up for whatever your kalk reactor can't handle by itself. kalk is magic.

if i were buying one today, i would probably get the Geo again or the nearly identical but cheaper reeftek, but i'd also take a close look at the deltec. Geo is better made, better materials and a true hand-crafted feel (and ~1/2 the cost). while deltec stuff looks like it was mass-produced on an assembly line with flimsier matierials. the deltec keeps the media fluidized, which probably helps. though i do worry about grit and silt created by the mechanical grinding getting into the recirc pump and wearing it out sooner than it should, which is no doubt an expensive replacement. and it probably needs more tweaking keeping the recirc flow rate just right to fluidize just right.

 

[HOC]

My experience so far is the Deltecs are very stable. No having to fiddle with the reactor at all once you get it set. I absoloutely love the reactor itself. The Rowa media they recommend on the other hand tends to cloud the water when you get the ph down around 6.2 which is where mine seems to need to be. So far this is the most stable calcium reactor I've used.

I would have to agree though on the kalk reactor first. I would start with that and when it no longer keeps up move on to a calcium reactor. They are less expensive and work great if you get a good one. Deltec makes the easiest to use IMO.

 

[rkehockey16]

where is a website that i could take a look at the Geo model

 

[HOC]

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=creactor

 

[rkehockey16]

thanks

 

[manderx]

i have a geo if you want to take a look at it. my place is just a few blocks from Z right on main street.

 

[mbort]

99 times out of 100 you *need* one when running a calcium reactor to keep your tank pH up.

All depends if you have access to fresh air. I find getting CO2 out/fresh O2 in through an outdoor draft seems to keep my pH between 8.24 and 8.37 when only running a Ca reactor. However, in my last tank where I was totally enclosed indoors, I required kalk to maintain tank pH....

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Each tank is different. But I have to agree with Matt. I truley wish I had gotten a Kalk stirrer/Kalk reactor prior to the calicum RX. I really needed the kalk to keep my PH up. Mbort, Do you recommed running the skimmer Air line outside? -I have often thought about it But am still trying to figure out a filter on it.. ? BTW, check out www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com. I recently bought the kalk stirrer and love it!! I have even asked about his skimmers-- waiting on answers about them..

 

[jfloydr]

Hey charlie, thats a nice looking kalk reactor at a really nice looking price. How big of a tank is that rated for? or how many gpd topoff?

 

[manderx]

yeah, i like that aquatic systems too. good find.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I have it on 250g. 1-1/2 drip a second. I am sure that it will go alot more! 10g- 500g rated? Email them. Scott answered my questions fairly quickly-- (except about the skimmers)

 

[mbort]

Mbort, Do you recommed running the skimmer Air line outside? -I have often thought about it But am still trying to figure out a filter on it.. ?

If you could run the skimmer line outside with a non-restrictive filter, it would be an easy, ideal way to get fresh air into the system. But you still have the issue of CO2 buildup around an enclosed system. Ideally, an air exchanger (that draws in outside air, filters it, and vents some of the inside air) operating at a low flow rate (sufficiently low to minimize heat loss) would be ideal, but not very practical for most reef tank owners...

So the most practical solution, IMO, is to use kalk. It has a lot of other benefits besides pH increase, such as precipitating unwanted elements, simpler operation than a Ca reactor, etc.

 

[surfnvb7]

such as precipitating unwanted elements

what do you mean by that mike?

 

[CaptainDave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6915347#post6915347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie Davidson
I have it on 250g. 1-1/2 drip a second. I am sure that it will go alot more! 10g- 500g rated? Email them. Scott answered my questions fairly quickly-- (except about the skimmers)

Charlie - when the mixing pump is turned on, how much does the kalkwasser get mixed up? does it actually churn the whole thing, or just keep it mixed enough to be saturated?

Thanks!

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I have a timer on it that turns it on/off 6 times a day. Each time for just 1 min. When the pump runs it never clouds the whole chamber. ( but its close to the top- 7/8 full) It just mixes it enought to keep eff. saturated..

 

[CaptainDave]

oh, good stuff. i think that sounds about perfect. thanks for the reply. still liking it? how good is the o-ring on the flange? are you worried at all about it leaking? sorry for all the questions

I'm trying to decide between making a homemade one and buying that one.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Not a problem. The thing is well build and like some one said "a very good price". it does use a uni-seal. some people don't like them- but its working fine. would I buy another one? YES

 

[mbort]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6917770#post6917770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by surfnvb7
what do you mean by that mike?

It has been reported that kalk will help in precipitation of residual heavy metals