need advice on calcium reactors

[Cubman777]

I'm interested in getting a calcium reactor for my 90 gallon tank. Does anyone have any recommendations as far as brands and equipment? I've never owned a calcium reactor and I'm not sure what kind of equipment I need to buy to get one up and running. I'd appreciate any advice you could provide.

 

[jay24k]

http://www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com/

Their website appears to be down but several of us have purchased from him and not only do you get the best bang for the buck, but amazing quality in workmanship.

There are alot of other names around and most do work well. However, I didn't want to drop a ton on a reactor and I ended up buying this one. I probably saved around 150 to 200 and received a bigger reactor then most.

 

[jjackson]

www.geosreef.com

Also very good.

I have been nothing but happy.

 

[chadfarmer]

i love my new schuran (but the only problem is you cant get replacement parts if anything breaks on it

also look at the geo reactor

(i have a brand new one sitting in from of me, also a deltec and a knop)

if you do the geo make sure you dont use arm media (schuran works better inthe reactor)

 

[AcroSteve]

Geo is probably the best value.

 

[mike660r]

I have a Barr on my system and it is a great piece of equipment. I did upgrade the circulation pump on it from a Mag 2 to an Iwaki pump. It has performed perfect for the past 6 months with the new pump on it.

The GEO products are nice as well.

I have been seeing some bad press on the Shuran's. There have been some bad breaks on them that ruin the reactor.

 

[jay24k]

I checked out Geo too and they do have nice reactors but still much pricier then the one I bought and they were smaller. I would look around and find out what you really need.

 

[mike660r]

Oh yeah.. you can always find good deals on RC. You may luck into a good deal as I did. Used reactors are a lot cheaper most of the time.

 

[panic]

I have both a single and a dual chamber reactor from Aquatic Systems Design and would never buy another brand. Scott builds, sells, and offers generous support to help you get it tuned in right. You will wait though, demand exceeds supply.

http://www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com/

 

[jay24k]

I waited almost a month for mine. I forgot about that. That was the only bad thing having to wait. But it really is a piece of art. If I had the spot, I would of had it displayed lol.

 

[Cubman777]

what kind of equipment do I need to buy in order to run a calc reactor, besides the actual reactor?

 

[mike660r]

You need a PH controller, CO2 bottle, Co2 regulator w/switch and thats about it

 

[rutz81]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7602897#post7602897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chadfarmer
i love my new schuran (but the only problem is you cant get replacement parts if anything breaks on it

also look at the geo reactor

(i have a brand new one sitting in from of me, also a deltec and a knop)

if you do the geo make sure you dont use arm media (schuran works better inthe reactor)

Why not use ARM media in the GEO?? I run ARM media with no problemsin my GEO. Not that I disagree, just unaware of this.

Sorry for the hijack.

Dave

 

[cthetoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7604641#post7604641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
I waited almost a month for mine. I forgot about that. That was the only bad thing having to wait. But it really is a piece of art. If I had the spot, I would of had it displayed lol.

Mine took 2 months because his partner had an illness. He gave me free shipping though. Im sure he's caught up now so it might not take that long to build and ship.

I upgraded to the Eheim pump because it uses 1/3 less watts than the Mag pumps because energy costs $$$ here in California.

 

[jay24k]

Yea so did I on the upgrade.

Here are a couple pics of it without media when I was testing it. 1st pic is with the acyrlic paper still on it. For size comparison, the tile underneath it are 16".

 

[cthetoy]

jay24k

What size is your co2 tank and how long does it last? Im getting my co2 tank this weekend

 

[jjackson]

I am using ARM in my Geo... also I have a ph controller for sale in the sale forum since I just got a ACjr

 

[jay24k]

10 lb. So far, I don't know how long it lasts but I've had it since maybe Feb or so. I've heard from 6 months to a year. I have alot of sps so I'm sure it is consumed up pretty good.

 

[s10willy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7602359#post7602359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
http://www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com/

Their website appears to be down but several of us have purchased from him and not only do you get the best bang for the buck, but amazing quality in workmanship.

There are alot of other names around and most do work well. However, I didn't want to drop a ton on a reactor and I ended up buying this one. I probably saved around 150 to 200 and received a bigger reactor then most.

Very well said.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I also reccomend aquatic systems design. I have the dual chamber model with eheim recirculation pump. As far as other stuff needed, here is what I have for my setup: supply pump (maxijet or smaller), CO2 tank, CO2 regulator, solenoid and bubble counter if the regulator doesnt come with it, and pH controller. Basically you plug the solenoid into the controller and it shuts on/off the flow of CO2 to maintain a desired pH level in the reactor. The bubble counter just lets you see how much CO2 you are dosing, and the regulator has pressure gauges and valves to adjust the amount of CO2 you dose.

When I started talking to Scott at ASD I knew nothing about Ca reactors. He made me a list of everything I'd need and I bought everything through him.