CoralLife Calcium Reactor

[PoriferaBob]

Im thinking of adding a calcium reactor to my new setup and found this one here.(http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14717&N=2004+113458)Ive never been able to use a reactor before because of space limitations. So I dont really understand how they work. I know I would need additional components (co2, ph controller,etc.) My first question is would a unit like the one above sit inside or outside of a sump??? If it sits out side how is water feed into the unit? And then how and where does the unit introduce the treated water back into the sump.

 

[antony1103]

I'll bump for you. I wanted to get the same one and i'm looking for others opinions.

They work by injecting CO2 into the reactor to low the pH. This causes the media to break down. By adding the water from teh reactor to your aquarium, the minerals in the media are added to your tank, eliminating the need for a buffer, calcium supplement, and so on.

I think the one you are looking at can go in or out of the sump. I believe you must supply a pump to add water to the reactor, but some do work on gravity. Then as the water goes into the reactor, it forces water back out another line into your aquarium. I hope i explained that correctly, i'm not really a pro on calcium reactors.

 

[wife no likey]

The coralife reactor has a pump on it that feeds the chamber and then returns the effluent water.

I'm very happy with ours. It isn't as durably built as more expensive units, but has worked perfectly fine since we got it.