My First Calcium Dosing Equipment

[jllowrey]

Hi All,

So I have slowly been setting up my 92 Gallon Bow front Reef for the past few months. I am new to reefing but i understand how important the initial set-up is....

So my question is, I found a used korallin calcium reactor 1502 on craigslist, it looks like its in great shape and it comes with everything I need to plug and play including the tank and media. No additional purchases required. The seller is asking $150.

Is this a good deal? Is a Koralin reactor the best, lowest maintenance method for keeping my tank happy throughout the days? Is there anything in particular I should look for to help gauge the condition of the reactor? Is this something that others would advise against purchasing used?

THANKS!
-Jeremy

 

[ericarenee]

What are you keeping in your tank.....
What is your calcium/ alk depletion rate

This is what determines the best solution to maintain Calcium alkalinity and Magnesium...

Where are they at now in your tank.... ?

 

[jllowrey]

My tank is fairly new, it passed its cycle a few months ago and I have been slowly stocking it with fish ever since, now I'm just about done with my Fish stock, they have been living happily for the past 2 months.

Fish:
Yellow Belly hippo tank
cole tang
2 Anthias
Fox Face
2 Scarlet Cleaning shrimp

As for the corals, I have refrained from stocking because of the lack of equipment support. I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared. For this reason I have only stocked with only a few small Frags

Corals:
In this order:
Green star polyp
Finger Leather
1 Armor of god Frag
Euphyllia glabrescens – Aussie Green Metallic Torch Coral
Neon Green candy cane

 

[gone fishin]

what is your current calcium level and how much does it go down between WC's? Also what is your Alkalinity and magnesium level. The links will be of some interest to you.


http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

 

[ericarenee]

My tank is fairly new, it passed its cycle a few months ago and I have been slowly stocking it with fish ever since, now I'm just about done with my Fish stock, they have been living happily for the past 2 months.

Fish:
Yellow Belly hippo tank
cole tang
2 Anthias
Fox Face
2 Scarlet Cleaning shrimp

As for the corals, I have refrained from stocking because of the lack of equipment support. I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared. For this reason I have only stocked with only a few small Frags

Corals:
In this order:
Green star polyp
Finger Leather
1 Armor of god Frag
Euphyllia glabrescens "“ Aussie Green Metallic Torch Coral
Neon Green candy cane

I would def follow the links in the post above and PASS on the Calcium reactor right now Unless you want to just stick in the closet for a later date...
You need to be monitoring.

Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium.
PH (JUST because you can) and this is needed with Calcium reactor...

Lime water is a much easier solution for a tank not consuming much Calcium and alkalinity.

 

[jllowrey]

<a href="http://imgur.com/IeNnhX6"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/IeNnhX6h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[jllowrey]

I understand that I am not at the point where a calcium reactor is needed and I may not be for many months.

However the Calcium reactor is on sale now. I have read the following
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/2/chemistry previously and the calcium reactor sounded like the more stable processional setup with low maintenance required.

My understanding is that the koraline is overkill? But I am trying to do my best to save by setting everything up right the first time instead of redoing it in the next few months. I really Like Stonys and I will likely have many of them in my tank.

 

[gone fishin]

From what I understand they are a good brand, I have not used one. New I believe they go for around $400. If you think you may use it get it and if not then sell it off.