Kalk or Calcium reactor?

[aquamn1999]

What would you buy for a 180 gallon mixed reef aquarium a kalk or calcium reactor? I know the cost difference, but putting that to the side which would be better? Also anyone have either for sale?

 

[Paulairduck]

kalk reactor

kalk reactor

I would start with the kalk reactor if your load is medium. If you have a bunch of hard corals then you will need the calcium reactor. I started with a Kalk reactor on a 150 gallon system. I had about 10 soft corals in the tank, and my calcium levels remained perfect for that time. It is when I added clams and sps corals that I had to upgrade to the calcium reactor. I use them both now. The kalk reactor helps with the low Ph issues from a calcium reactor.

 

[crumbletop]

The kalk reactor doesn't do a whole heck of a lot for getting calcium or alk up. If you have a moderate to high demand for alk and ca you'll need to supplement that with something. Your choices for that are pretty much a 2-part ca/alk additive, or a Ca reactor. I dose 2-part (<a href="http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php" target=_blank>Randy's recipe</a>) daily, and also have a kalk reactor to keep things stable and to keep my pH up. Many people with Ca reactors also run a kalk reactor because the pH tends to be low when using a Ca reactor. So my advice would be to get a kalk reactor, and measure your ca/alk usage with good tests (i.e. salifert) and start by supplementing with b-ionic or some kind of 2-part. Later on you can decide if you want to keep doing the 2-part or if you want to get a ca reactor.

 

[jag1979]

I drip kalk in my 180. (4 gallons a day) That maintained everything until recently when I added a clam and sps. Now I also have to add calcium and alk. The main reason I drip kalk is for a stable ph, not really for calcium although it does add some calcium. I am going to start mixing the kalk w/ viniger for a higher concentration and see if that helps.

I just added the clam a few days ago, I can't believe how much it sucks up calcium and alk!

 

[aquamn1999]

Thanks for the info. My question is why buy a kalk reactor if I'm going to need to buy a CA reactor or do I need both? Would it be better to buy a CA reactor now and save the money that would of been spent on a kalk reactor?

 

[Hop]

I would spend a few days reading the chemistry forum sticky's and Randy's articles. Once you have a grasp on the chemistry, decide, based on your system and husbandry requirements, whether you need one, both or neither

Good luck!

 

[jag1979]

I use kalk more for ph stability than for calcium, if you are planning on sps then kalk will not be enough calcium, although it will probably be plenty for lps and softies. If you go CA reactor only then you need to raise your ph somehow.