There is a study floating around somewhere. Various brands have various levels (I think ARM was the best). Many IIRC are insignificant, especially when compared to the amount of food I dump in my tank on a daily basis
Doser vs Calc and Kalk Reactors
- Thread starter troynel
- Start date
There is a study floating around somewhere. Various brands have various levels (I think ARM was the best). Many IIRC are insignificant, especially when compared to the amount of food I dump in my tank on a daily basis
Can you explain your set up by any chance? i do the same i just would like to take some pointers......:bounce1:
Oh it's pretty simple. The reactor is fed off a tee from the main return pump. Needle valves are on the effluent line, as well as the purge line coming off the top of the reactor. I keep the feed line wide open, and control the effluent using the needle valve on the effluent line (I keep the purge line completely closed). This slightly pressurizes the reactor, allowing for better precision with low bubble counts and/or drip rates, IME. Switching to large grain media was also a huge improvement, so I can run my pH as low as 6.2 without melting issues.
What does 6.2 equals to p.h numbers? what is your drip rate and bubble count and are you heavly stock as far as sps goes?
Orr2003
New member
SDguy is saying he can go down to as low as PH 6.2 iinside the calcium reactor with the large media and this low PH does not turn the large media into mush like it does with the finer medias out there.
I too use the Gen X large media and I dont have a problem with it turning to mush either.
When I run my calcium reactor to supplement kalk,
I set the controller probe in the tank so it will close the solenoid if tank ph drops below a preset point( in my case 8.0). I rely on the needle valve controller for reactor and effluent ph ( 6.7 ) and drip controll by platic airline tubing vavle.
I set the controller probe in the tank so it will close the solenoid if tank ph drops below a preset point( in my case 8.0). I rely on the needle valve controller for reactor and effluent ph ( 6.7 ) and drip controll by platic airline tubing vavle.
Orr2003
New member
I am curious about the poll results and have a question for everyone that voted.
I see the large number of people using 2 part and I think i understand why.
So my question is....
For the people using 2 part dosing systems, what size tank do you have?
I would think for the most part these people will have system around or under 200g.
I see the large number of people using 2 part and I think i understand why.
So my question is....
For the people using 2 part dosing systems, what size tank do you have?
I would think for the most part these people will have system around or under 200g.
These are all valid points. My tank is under the 200 mark. I believe it will be easier for me to calculate how much alk/ca is being used and then supply it through a timely manner. Using the ca reactor and kalk reactor in my limited useage of the two parts it just make more sense for me to do it this way. This way i can control the supplement more.
Orr2003
New member
Very good point SDguy
I reason I asked is I have contemplated switching to 2 part on dosing pumps although I think it would not be cost effective for me having a 400g+ system. So I was curious who with large systems was using 2 part.
It is not a poll option, but I prefer dosing limewater from a still reservoir to all of the poll options. 
Orr2003
New member
It is not a poll option, but I prefer dosing limewater from a still reservoir to all of the poll options.
Welcome back Randy.
Do you do this as your top off water ?
Yes, that what I've used since day 1, 14+ years ago.
Orr2003
New member
Yes, that what I've used since day 1, 14+ years ago.
I have tried this before but never could find the right amount of Kalk to add to my top off reservoir. I was either increasing alk to much or not enough.
How do you keep your alk stable when your tank evaps different amounts over the course of the year?
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