Kalk reactor or Calcium reactor?

[PaulCom]

I have seen many things on both Kalk reactors and Calcium reactors...I thought I understood what each one did, but now I am not too sure...

What is the difference between the two?

Is there ever a need to have both in a reef system?

 

[Konadog]

If your keeping SPS your calcium uptake can be quite substantial, the only way to keep up with the demand is to add calcium at a steady rate. A Calcium Reactor can be used for this, not Kalk. What makes a Calcium Reactor work is lowering the PH within the reactor to melt the calcium media. This can also cause the tank PH to drop over time. This is where the Kalk Reactor comes in. Kalk water has a very high PH, and adding this can offset any PH drop caused by the Calcium reactor.

Here is an article about Calcium Reactors:
A guide to ising Calcium Reactors

One on a Kalk Dripper:
A simple DIY Kalk dripper

And a great thread on everything:
Let's talk about Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium in an SPS Tank

 

[TheCureForSin]

nice post. I've been wondering the same thing actually.

 

[PaulCom]

Wow - excellent information! Thanks Ken!

 

[Konadog]

Your welcome.

The last link has much more info than I provided, read through that for more detail.

 

[PaulCom]

Yes, the last article was a gold mine - it had further links that make everything "relatively" clear...*L*

Thanks again!!