Do Calcium Reactors = Faster Growth?

[fishfanatic06]

I don't know if it's just me, but all of the tanks that I have seen with amazing growth run calcium reactors. Do you think calcium reactors provide better growth rates than other calcium additions (2part, kalk, etc)? Thanks!

 

[paveking1]

Reactors play a big part in keeping calcium stable instead of fluctuating,which in turn helps them grow at faster rate as long as everything else is in check.

 

[twon8]

i think stable alk/ca is all that is required, the way you do that is irrelevant.

other factors indirectly affected by the method you use such as ph may play a factor though

 

[xtm]

Re: Do Calcium Reactors = Faster Growth?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11626823#post11626823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishfanatic06
I don't know if it's just me, but all of the tanks that I have seen with amazing growth run calcium reactors. Do you think calcium reactors provide better growth rates than other calcium additions (2part, kalk, etc)? Thanks!

I've heard opinions from both sides of the fence-- people who used reactors that switched back to 2-part and got BETTER colors and vice versa. What works for some people might not work for everyone.

 

[fishfanatic06]

bump! more opinions please.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11627177#post11627177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twon8
i think stable alk/ca is all that is required, the way you do that is irrelevant.

other factors indirectly affected by the method you use such as ph may play a factor though

ditto.

 

[SunnyX]

I recently turned my reactor off in favor of randys two part. The thing I like about it is that its precise and balanced. One change I have noticed with the two part is I am getting coralline algae growing like crazy again. So far so good.

 

[hatfielj]

Stable alk and ca are more important than the method in which you choose to dose it. The other importance difference to keep in mind is the pH control. Ca reactors can drive pH to unnaturally low levels. Coral calcification is inhibited at lower pH and this can obviously cause your corals to suffer a bit. So, make sure you keep your pH in check along with alk and ca. Also, the balance of the two is important. Try to shoot for as close to natural levels as possible.

 

[fishfanatic06]

Hw recently did you switch over Sunny? I don't get hardly any coralline growth with randy's two part.

 

[SunnyX]

I swiched over a month ago. Within 3 weeks corraline algea began to grow again.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Re: Do Calcium Reactors = Faster Growth?

perhaps we should have first asked what you're trying to grow faster- corals or coralline.
There are environmental conditions that willl promote rapid coralline algae growth while having little to no impact on the growth rate of corals.
FWIW I can get fantastic coralline growth with any of the alkalinity/calcium supplementations schemes.

 

[marino420td]

Re: Re: Do Calcium Reactors = Faster Growth?

Re: Re: Do Calcium Reactors = Faster Growth?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11636601#post11636601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
There are environmental conditions that willl promote rapid coralline algae growth while having little to no impact on the growth rate of corals.

Will you please share what these conditions are? Thanks

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I had a feeling somebody would ask that.
Why on earth anyone would want to promote an unnatural amount of coralline growth is beyond me- the stuff is a PITA.
For rapid coralline growth: besides the obvious nailing AT LEAST the optimal levels of alkalinity and calcium (high range of recommended is better), keep oxygen levels saturated, keep Mg at 1350ppm or slightly higher. It doesn't hurt to give a slight boost in I, Fe or Sr either. Slightly elevated levels of PO4 are beneficial to coralline growth (IME) and certain calcium reactor media (perhaps all?) have been shown to release PO4. It's far easier to drive a reef aquarium to super high levels of alkalinity and calcium saturation when using a calcium reactor than with just the other methods of Ca/alk supplementation alone (again, IME).

note: this "secret recipe" might not be beneficial to corals.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I forgot to mention the extremely obvious:

I forgot to mention the extremely obvious:

not all species of coralline thrive in bright light.
(Not all corals do, either.)

So back to the top. What are we trying to grow faster here?