how many of you running succesful sps tanks w/o Cal reactor?

[Lobster]

You can definitely do without a Ca reactor, but most people find using one makes things a lot easier. How much easier? Easy enough that I'm putting a Deltec PF509 on my new 30G SPS tank. I plan to upgrade at some point, so I figured it's worth the investment now.

Keep an eye out for a good used one, or try a DIY reactor. You can get setup for less than $200 if you shop around. Compare that to the price of calc or multi-part additives over a year or two and the time you save and it may be worth it for you.

 

[johnvu713]

i dont think i can DIY a reactor. It looks too complicate for my brain to process. I did a DIY skimmer once though. I suppose a reactor would be a whole lot more complex

 

[Sindjin]

I have a DIY top-off system (5g bucket and a vacuum pump).
Can I use this to dose Kalk? Or is it too risky?

 

[shelburn61]

Manderx,
Pretty impressive he can do that with kalk. What size tank is that?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6560257#post6560257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sindjin
I have a DIY top-off system (5g bucket and a vacuum pump).
Can I use this to dose Kalk? Or is it too risky?

I used to do it with an aqualifter pump. I never had a major problem, but I wouldn't do it again without a safety switch set above the first one to turn the pump off if the first switch gets stuck on. I use a dosing pump instead now to improve stability.

 

[pavster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6560257#post6560257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sindjin
I have a DIY top-off system (5g bucket and a vacuum pump).
Can I use this to dose Kalk? Or is it too risky?

I do exactly that. Just use two float switches instead of one, one above the other. Aqualifter for the pump. Works like a charm.

 

[Sindjin]

A dosing pump could be a good idea. But I dont use float switches... too risky. I actually have the Pump on a timer. I run it at 2 25 minute intervals to top-off 1.5 gallons a day. Works like a charm. You just have to get a timer that has 15 minute on/off increments and then test it a few times to figure out how long it will take for it to top-off the amount you need on a daily basis.
I used this when we went to Disney for a few days and it worked great.

So what would be best to use in this set-up for Kalk?

 

[LowCel]

I quit using my Ca reactor about six months ago. I wanted to have less to worry about screwing up whenever I am out of town. I do use a Reeftek Nielsen reactor though.

 

[pavster]

I don't really understand the danger of float switches. I've had them for half a year; just took them out last night, and they look like new. One of them is always in the water, the other is just above (the backup). With kalk you want to make sure that you dose slowly and consistently rather than in two big doses, so a system that turns on frequently for a short period of time is preferred.

 

[Sindjin]

Good Point Pavster... I'll adjust my timer if/when I do start dosing..I dont have the Ca demand yet.

BTW... the reason I dont have float switches is because i have a glass sump. Too risky to drill at this point.

 

[mokujin22]

yeah, i got my float switches from a link off Melev's site (i think floatswitches.net). cost me about $25 including the powerhead to set up an auto topoff. best money i've spent so far on my tank. i too, am in the process of setting up B-ionic with a dosing pump. with the fluctuations in temperature in my living room (especially seasonal), i wanted my supplementation to be independent from the temperature in the room.

also, many prefer to dose at night to counter lowered pH. while i'll probably dose 24 hours a day, only dosing during the day (when the topoff is most active b/c of the lights) seems like it may precipitate pH swings at night imho.

but then again, what do i know?
tony.

 

[pavster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566504#post6566504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sindjin
Good Point Pavster... I'll adjust my timer if/when I do start dosing..I dont have the Ca demand yet.

BTW... the reason I dont have float switches is because i have a glass sump. Too risky to drill at this point.

You don't have to drill. Get the switches at floatswitches.net and then make a bracket from plastic to mount them. I took pics of mine last night; I'll post them tonight. I think a combination of floatswitches and a timer might be the best -- then you would be able to control when the top offs are more "plentiful".

-pavel.

 

[pavster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6566560#post6566560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mokujin22

also, many prefer to dose at night to counter lowered pH. while i'll probably dose 24 hours a day, only dosing during the day (when the topoff is most active b/c of the lights) seems like it may precipitate pH swings at night imho.

tony. [/B]

Yeah, you might be right about that. I just wired my cooling (evaporative) fans to run all the time instead of just when the lights are on, to get a more consistent topoff rate day and night.

-pavel.

 

[poknsnok]

autotopoff.com. I have used them for over 2 years... work just fine

 

[pavster]

Here is my system. It was really easy to put together. It hangs on the edge of my sump, in the return pump compartment.

-pavel.