Looking to buy a CO2 or kalk reactor, auto top off

[zrs6v4]

I am looking for something to balance my calcium, PH, alkalinity.... anyone have any suggestions on what to buy, or have one to sell? Also if you think this is a bad idea to do on a 120 gallon let me know. . I just think there has to be an easier way to maintain than dosing these things maually... thanks

 

[capncapo]

What animals do you plan on keeping in the tank?

 

[zrs6v4]

well right now I have a few, I have 2 clowns, a foxface, a bubble tip anenome, a derasa clam, a few cleaners, 2 serpent stars. I plan on doing a couple of tangs and a bunch of soft corals.. as far as corals go I am new, so thats why Im sticking with softies..

 

[Nanook]

If you are having to dose now to keep your levels up, then a calcium reactor would be a good investment...a 120g tank will eat up a lot of 2-part supplements and over time, the reactor will pay off and save you some hassles with dosing.

 

[Nanook]

Just softies? Then really no need to supplement if you do regular water changes. Capo was correct in asking you what you planned on keeping

 

[zrs6v4]

yea so what all will a calcium reactor do as far as keeping levels up other than calcium? I am having to dos calcium pretty often. also where do you suggest looking for a good setup?

 

[Nanook]

Calcium reactor will keep calcium and alkalinity levels constant once you get them to the target range. This will give your corals a steady supply of levels without big swings.

The initial investment for a calcium reactor, media, CO2 tank and needle valve is about $400-600.00 new...of course you can save some bucks if you buy used.

I am wondering why you are having to dose a lot if you only have softies What test kit are you using and how old is it?

 

[zrs6v4]

I am using a red sea test kit, its about 3 months old. I am trying to keep the calcium level at 400-450 for the clam mainly, I also want to see the rocks purple up a little more in time. I would say I have been dosing 1-2 times a week for the past 3 weeks..

 

[Nanook]

I use and recommend the Salifert test kit for calcium...it is a great kit and has a good track record amongst most reefers. I am not saying the Red Sea is a bad one, but I prefer the Salifert.

Dosing a couple times a week is not a bad deal, IMO.

 

[capncapo]

The clam is the only animal that will actually benefit from the reactor.

That's a pretty expensive purchase for what you're wanting. It can definitely simplify things but is still costly even buying it used. An expensive convenience!

 

[zrs6v4]

I would rather spend a couple hundred dollars then have that extra worry of trying to put enough of this and that in and not to much if you know what im saying...

 

[zrs6v4]

also at the same time if I buy this now I am sure that it will benefit me sometime down the road even more..

 

[capncapo]

I certainly can't argue with your reasoning!

I just wish I had your money!:lol:

 

[stlouisguy]

I will be hav ing a koralin reactor about 4 months old to sell in a few weeks. If interested shoot me a pm

 

[zrs6v4]

hah, I do hqave that kind of money, just not to many bills yet.... thats the secret

stlouisguy- PM'ed