Doser vs Calc and Kalk Reactors

[troynel]

I have been reading a lot about both methods. I have seen many threads about people switching from reactors to dosing. But I was wondering if anyone that switched to dosing has gone back? I currently have a 135 gallon sps dominate tank but most are still frags. I recently got a kalk reactor to help with ph but my ph still only reads 7.8-8.0. Not what I was looking for. I actually have had to tune back my calc reactor cause of low demand. I was thinking of switching over to dosing but not sure if its the right move. Any suggestions?

 

[HighlandReefer]

Unfortunately you did not provide a place to check-off kalk water as a supplement. I can't vote.

 

[Mike O'Brien]

I started with two part, then ended up using limewater and a Ca reactor. Now I am back to just two part. It's very easily controllable and their is no limit with it like the other methods.

 

[Engine8ff]

Need a Kalk reactor and dosing pump(mag chloride, mag suf.)

 

[troynel]

Can I change the poll?

 

[luther1200]

I don't think so, but maybe you can ask the Mod if he could do it for you. That is if they can, I am not even sure about that.

 

[troynel]

Anyone else have a opinion.

 

[troynel]

What pump to use is my next question. I have been looking at bubble magus or BRS?

 

[serval]

I used to just use 2 part but was using quite a lot so switched to a combination of Kalk (in the ATO, no reactor) plus 2 part when needed. It's less work since I don't need as much 2 part (so far). I have to mix up the Kalk once/week for my 5 gallon ATO well. I use an Elos Osmolator (pump)to deliver the Kalk to the sump as the saltwater goes down. So far so good; the Elos pump is very sensitive to water level and only wait until the water is down at most 1/4" to deliver water, so no real spikes in pH yet. PH had been a problem and is no more; the Kalk is great for stabilizing that. I still have to tweak a bit to make sure I get adequate Calcium though (with the 2 part).

 

[StrategicReef]

I couldn't put kalk in my ATO because in winter my evap is 5 gallons a week and in summer it's 5 gallons a day. So you could see how that throws off my ca and alk params if I just top off with kalk.. if you keep your fish room 72 degrees 365 days a week then you could figure it out though..

Now I dose 2 part and also dose kalk a set amount everyday. PH never drops below 8 since I started.
There is less mechanical parts compare to a CA reactor (and compressed CO2 tank takes up space) most times I have seen CA reactor is when the sump is in a different room with ample space.

 

[serval]

So, Strategic, for the kalk, do you just mix it up and dose it manually a couple of times per day or use a doser or...?

 

[StrategicReef]

yes i premix it in a bigger container and extract the liquid without touching the bottom into my smaller dosing container which is a 1 gallon bucket in my stand and I set my LM3
doser to 1 liter a day

 

[tmz]

I dose kalk from a still reservoir( not in the poll). I also use a calcium rector along with it when needed..

 

[Av8bluewater]

Kalk in top off.

 

[troynel]

I'm still thinking of switching over to 2part but I would like to hear maybe why I shouldn't.

 

[MeuserReef]

2-Part for me! I use the BRS kits along with 2 Drew's Doser pumps controlled by my Reef Keeper Elite controller. I used to have a DIY Calcium Reactor but found the 2-part dosing to be a much simpler approach.

 

[HighlandReefer]

The main negative against [two-part, kalk reactors and calcium reactors] vs. kalk is the amount of heavy metals and contaminates you add. When you use kalk properly these contaminates will precipitate out and you will not add them. That said, many hobbyists use these other methods without problems. :lol:

 

[ReefTECK]

I'm surprised to see so many people using the two part. When I was starting out I always knew people that had CA rxrs and now I'm left desiring the simplicity of a two part myself. Are there any drawbacks to using a 2 part over ca rxr? Assuming you have all the fancy perisaltic pumps you need to make dosing easy and reliable?

 

[denash24]

I don't have any negative issues with manually dosing everyday and params are very good with the exception of low ph.
PH 7.8 - 8.0
KH 9 dkh
CA 460
But I'm giving the CA/Reactor a try because most of the tanks with serious growth of SPS always seem to have CA Reactors, I think the growth and the quality of growth is due to the balanced delivery method of the CA reactor and (just a personal opinion) the natural source of elements (crushed coral). I just set the ca reactor up today and haven't even opened the CO2 yet so I've got a ways to go before I can offer any advice, but I will try to post my opinions and experiences as I go (just in case anyone is interested).

 

[tmz]

Wit 2 part you add calcium chloride for calcium. Extra chloride is added this way that doesn't come in with a calcium reactor or limewater(kalk ) dosing. Two part is designed to provide a balanced proportion of alkalinity and calcium. Commercial 2 part mixes have other additives , some of which may be helpful.

With a calcium reactor , the effluent is low ph and may drop tank ph and/or lead to chronically low ph. It provides a balanced proportion of calcium and alkalinity( calcium carbonate).

Kalk/lime( calcium hydroxide) provides a balanced proportion of calcium and alkalinity. It is self purifying since any impurities precipitate out in the reservoir, ,may precipitate some phosphate. In the tank ther oxide in calcium hydroxide binds with CO2 to for carbonate alkainity. It depletes CO2 and raises ph.

Using a calc reactor and kalk together is a nice way to go for a high demand system, in my experience3.. It gives you a good deal of control over ph as well as calcium and alkalinity.