gooyferret
New member
If you feed it with the return pump how do you know your getting the right GPH through the skimmer or does it not matter? Just trying to understand everything before i would make a purchase!
thanks
thanks
Is it worth while? Calcium Reactor...
- Thread starter gooyferret
- Start date
gooyferret
New member
Also is that your DIY skimmer im guessing? Do you have plans on how you made it?
tkeracer619
New member
lol finally a use for that css laying in the junk pile!
When you feed the water from the return pump you have a valve you adjust to get the right amount of water flow.
I personally use a hospital grade peristaltic pump to feed my reactor. Has a digital readout and can be controlled via a push of a button. Currently I run 12ml/m through my reactor.
When you feed the water from the return pump you have a valve you adjust to get the right amount of water flow.
I personally use a hospital grade peristaltic pump to feed my reactor. Has a digital readout and can be controlled via a push of a button. Currently I run 12ml/m through my reactor.
gooyferret
New member
Hooking it up to the return line is a great idea but how do you measure the flow that is coming in do they make a gauge or something that hooks up to the line? That skimmer DIY looks great I was hoping he had plans for the build on that!
dan223
Custom User Title
uh huh, "partially automate vs. almost outright automate" whatever that means, they are both automated. 2part you just refill and go 1 time a month or less, no tweaking. $250 vs. $500+ for reactor reg tank ph controller etc.
TO THE OP I would at least look into automated 2 part. Ive seen a trend of more than a few people switching over from cal reactors to 2 part dosing pumps saying its easier to maintain and doesnt take alot of fiddling around like the reactors do.
Have fun whichever way you go
gooyferret
New member
Rysam that looks not bad at all! If it does the job and enjoyed a few brews in the meantime it was all worth while! Dan where is the thread of people automating theirs with 2 part? You would still have to fiddle with that just as much as the reactor, until you find the balance your tank is using. Plus mixing the 2 part solution has to be taken into consideration also....
I would like to get more ideas on how to better dose the 2 part if you have a link for the thread....
I would like to get more ideas on how to better dose the 2 part if you have a link for the thread....
das75
New member
You measure the output (effluent) rate. Control the flow with a valve, some count drips/min to give an idea others ml/min or just eyeball it.
I feed mine off a manifold on my return pump.
A DIY reactor is very easy, here's my first try
Pulling it apart for cleaning cracked it so was looking around for some tubing and was offered a DIY 2nd chamber. While going back and forth on threading in the re-cir pump or uni-seals just temporarily hooked up without the pump but found works great without.
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RokleM
Premium Member
Correct, no matter what feed solution you use, I would recommend monitoring the OUTPUT flow not the flow input into the reactor.
To each their own. You mess with your two part 6-12 times for every 1 time I touch my calcium reactor based on your info. That I see as a partial automation in comparison.
Quality means everything. If you buy a lousy reactor, yes you'll spend all kinds of time fiddling. The same goes for dosing pumps. If you bought crap, you would end up messing with them quite often as well. As with everything, the trends swing. Yes, I've seen a number of people with low end reactors switching, absolutely. The same happens when new skimmer designs come out (those with low ends and are having issues, realizing they are using poor products switch to something different).
Again, it's all personal preference, how much money and time you want to dedicate to the maintenance, your comfort level with automation, the hardware you use, etc. No one solution is the "right" solution for everyone. No one solution is perfect. There are plus's and minus's to every one.
Here is something else to consider (jdieck post, you can click for more info):
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14928808#post14928808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
uh huh, "partially automate vs. almost outright automate" whatever that means, they are both automated. 2part you just refill and go 1 time a month or less, no tweaking. $250 vs. $500+ for reactor reg tank ph controller etc.
TO THE OP I would at least look into automated 2 part. Ive seen a trend of more than a few people switching over from cal reactors to 2 part dosing pumps saying its easier to maintain and doesnt take alot of fiddling around like the reactors do.
Have fun whichever way you go
To each their own. You mess with your two part 6-12 times for every 1 time I touch my calcium reactor based on your info. That I see as a partial automation in comparison.
Quality means everything. If you buy a lousy reactor, yes you'll spend all kinds of time fiddling. The same goes for dosing pumps. If you bought crap, you would end up messing with them quite often as well. As with everything, the trends swing. Yes, I've seen a number of people with low end reactors switching, absolutely. The same happens when new skimmer designs come out (those with low ends and are having issues, realizing they are using poor products switch to something different).
Again, it's all personal preference, how much money and time you want to dedicate to the maintenance, your comfort level with automation, the hardware you use, etc. No one solution is the "right" solution for everyone. No one solution is perfect. There are plus's and minus's to every one.
Here is something else to consider (jdieck post, you can click for more info):
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14853775#post14853775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
dan223
Custom User Title
WOW you just turn on your calcium reactor and dont touch it for over 6 months? thats very good, infact the best Ive heard!
Just because its in a graph doesnt make it so, yes if you pay premium price for BRS 2 part is alittle more expensive, but I paid about $50 for several years worth of cal mag and alk.
gooyferret sorry I dont have the time to track down the multiple threads theres more than a couple recently, I remember 1 was in the sps forum. I really dont care what way you go, just trying to show your alternatives so you get more than 1 point of view.
Enjoy your reef.
RobbyG
Active member
Just adding my 2 Cents.
If you dont use a Dosing Pump to feed the Calc reactor it can be very very hard to keep the drip rate constant. The Calc residue is always building up on the hoses and valves, the ever changing pressure in the chamber causes changes in bubble rate and drip rate etc etc. For the first 18 moths that I had my CA reactor it was a bloody pain in the butt trying to keep the Drip and Bubble rate constant. Once I added a Dosing pump and a pH probe into the equation the reactor became very easy to manage and has worked very well since.
If you dont use a Dosing Pump to feed the Calc reactor it can be very very hard to keep the drip rate constant. The Calc residue is always building up on the hoses and valves, the ever changing pressure in the chamber causes changes in bubble rate and drip rate etc etc. For the first 18 moths that I had my CA reactor it was a bloody pain in the butt trying to keep the Drip and Bubble rate constant. Once I added a Dosing pump and a pH probe into the equation the reactor became very easy to manage and has worked very well since.
gooyferret
New member
Dont most people use the PH controller to control PH inside the chamber? From what i have read on other articles its almost a must have if you want the calc reactor to be consistent.
RokleM,
How did he get the comparisons for the graph? That is a great tool to show people but based off what numbers? Does that include the initial cost into the graph? The way it looks it dont...
Not taking sides considering im the one possibly getting a calc reactor in the future...but:
Initial cost of the reactor setup, Cost of electricity for pumps, Media, CO2....all these have to be figured into the graph...IMO
I have dosed b-ionic for a year and hated it, that is what im considering a calc reactor..at first the expense will be high but in the long haul i will enjoy my tank more often than maintaining...
Personally if im going to spend $300 or more on dosing I would rather cough up the rest to get a calc reactor.....Just my opinion.
das75
New member
Ran my reactor on a controller but found once I had it figured out, it was steady and control wasn't needed so took it of. Left the gas solenoid but just plugged it straight into the wall so only goes off if I loose power.
I'm running a reactor and see no reason to change but easily could set up a couple of dosing pumps and timers and do your own 2 part solutions from bulk chemical supplies. Wouldn't count the method out.
I'm running a reactor and see no reason to change but easily could set up a couple of dosing pumps and timers and do your own 2 part solutions from bulk chemical supplies. Wouldn't count the method out.
gooyferret
New member
Where do most people buy their 2 part solutions now? My friend josh says that buying it dry bulk is the best way but where is the best place to buy it for the money?
uhuru
New member
Dosing by hand vs calcium rx is not a fair comparison! 
I used a LMIII for a while and it was as easy as it gets. Corals growing? Adding new ones? Need to adjust? Just push a button and test the next day. Especially great for tanks that are not fully established. Now I have a profilux 3 channel standalone doser.
I used a LMIII for a while and it was as easy as it gets. Corals growing? Adding new ones? Need to adjust? Just push a button and test the next day. Especially great for tanks that are not fully established. Now I have a profilux 3 channel standalone doser.
gooyferret
New member
Dosers are expensive also....why not just get a calc reactor? Im thinking of a DIY reactor.....Seems a good way to save money and alot of people have had good sucess with them...
old95er
Premium Member
get a calcium reactor. I used two part for a while, and the levels were never constant. If I missed a dosing day, the tank would suffer. I have the water from the return t'd so that the reactor is fed constanly with water. I have a valve so that if I need to remove the reactor I can shut off the feed for maintenance.
I have only refilled the reactor once in the past year. There is a probe in the chamber which senses the ph, then a controller turns on and off the co2 valve.
I never think about it. I just check the ph meter reading and the PSI of the co tank when I feed the fish to be sure there is not an issue.
It is expensive but necessary.
I have only refilled the reactor once in the past year. There is a probe in the chamber which senses the ph, then a controller turns on and off the co2 valve.
I never think about it. I just check the ph meter reading and the PSI of the co tank when I feed the fish to be sure there is not an issue.
It is expensive but necessary.
