Calcium reactors???

[trpigg]

I am finally going to invest in a calcium reactor but I am unsure of what to go with. What has gone good for you sps lovers??? Also, is milwalki instruments good for the co2 section of the reactor??? Any help would be appreciated...thanks guys.

 

[gasman059]

kind of small setup for a reactor IMO
For a 72 perhaps two part with a doser would be better. It all depends on the amount of corals.
I prefer GEO-milwakee its fine too.

 

[ordy1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9582732#post9582732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
kind of small setup for a reactor IMO
For a 72 perhaps two part with a doser would be better. It all depends on the amount of corals.
I prefer GEO-milwakee its fine too.

You wouldn't recommend a calcium reactor on anything smaller than a 72 gallon? What supplements, specifically, would you recommend?

I was thinking of investing in one for my 46 gallon. Is it neccessary or should I tell the wife she can go out and buy that new handbag?

Ordy

 

[mcurl98]

I have a 90 with lots of corals, clams, snails and coralline. It eats up the alkalinity and CA very quickly unless I'm running my reactor. A 72 isn't that much smaller-all depends on what you have in it. I also prefer Geo. Had a Korallin and wasn't big on it. I've heard the Milwakees are fine. I have an American Pinpoint and a Reef fanatic. Don't like the Pinpoint but like the Fanatic-and it's cheaper. A 46? again, depnds what you want. If you have a lot of corals/coralline, you will either need to dose or run a CA reactor to keep the alk and CA up. Economically, with a 46 (and perhaps a 72) it might be cheaper to dose. Problem is, you may have to dose daily and, sometimes, more than daily. I like the reactor as it gives me one less thing to do each day.

 

[Goodwood]

My 90 has been sucking up alk & ca and dosing sucks so I just purchased a GEO 618. Havent hooked it up yet but, I went with Reef fanatic instead of Milwakee (heard they were a little better). Hope to get it rolling in a few weeks when I wont be in and out of town as much. I researched CA reactors for a long time and most people were saying GEO's are best for the money.

 

[trpigg]

I too was looking at a geo 618 as....hope it is a good decision.
Thanks

 

[five.five-six]

I ran a knop -C for years on my sps 100.. well constructed, very efficient use of Co2, small ehime pump was low on wattage and low on heat transfer..., small footprint. great setup.. kept my ca+ levels above 450 consistently. I think I will buy another one for my new tank.

 

[gasman059]

You wouldn't recommend a calcium reactor on anything smaller than a 72 gallon? What supplements, specifically, would you recommend?

U can; i just cant imagine what u have in there that would require such an amount of Ca. Anyways it certainly will facilitate your day to day maintenance. But if u get a doser (innovative aquatics or any other and dose randy's two part is cheap and very effective.
As far as reactors imo there's just two that i would consider for your tank. GEO is built like a rock and easily accessible parts and maitenance. A very very close second IMHO is MiniCaL from marinetechnical very good and efficient. Both of this reactors do what they are meant to do and dial inn the easiest from my experience. I've played with knops and korallins and IME they are much more diff. to set and dial inn.
Hope this helps.

 

[lvreefer]

I agree with the others. You can use two part mixtures unless you want less maintenance.

 

[trpigg]

THE LESS THE BETTER!!!

 

[five.five-six]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9588474#post9588474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvreefer
I agree with the others. You can use two part mixtures unless you want less maintenance.

true but in the long run, reactor is cheeper...well with bigger tanks

 

[ordy1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9588252#post9588252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
U can; i just cant imagine what u have in there that would require such an amount of Ca. Anyways it certainly will facilitate your day to day maintenance. But if u get a doser (innovative aquatics or any other and dose randy's two part is cheap and very effective.
As far as reactors imo there's just two that i would consider for your tank. GEO is built like a rock and easily accessible parts and maitenance. A very very close second IMHO is MiniCaL from marinetechnical very good and efficient. Both of this reactors do what they are meant to do and dial inn the easiest from my experience. I've played with knops and korallins and IME they are much more diff. to set and dial inn.
Hope this helps.

Thanks gasman.

I'm trying to make my latest stab at maintaining aquatic life in the confines of my own home as automated and non stressful as possible. That's why I'm plumbing the sump in the basement. With that said a CA reactor sounds idiot proof but I don't want to break the bank on one of these either. I'll read up on the dosing; that may be a way to go. Thanks again.

Ordy

 

[Rueg]

I really like my Aquatic Systems Design calcium reactor. Very well made.

http://www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com/

I also like the Reef Fanatic products.