Need help with Ca reactor purchase

[blenny100]

I am trying to make up my mind between a Korallin 1502 or the GEO 612, and was speaking to one of your sales people today. But I still have questions, so here goes:

According to the description, Korallin has this feature where it won’t allow excess CO2 into the tank â€"œ what I translate this to mean is if the valve on the CO2 bottle fails, or something weird happens, the CO2 in the tank won’t sky rocket. Is this correct?

Now assuming that more CO2 means high alkalinity (is this right?) then I understand why this is an important feature â€"œ but why would I want a pH controller with a Korallin reactor (since it can’t over dose CO2 anyway)?

The sales person told me that the GEO is considered better than the Korallin. When I asked him if the GEO had the same safety feature as the Korallin (no possible CO2 over dosing) he said yes. But I don’t see this documented anywhere. Is this correct?

Also, I have a maximum of 8.5” depth in my sump cabinet, will the GEO’s base fit?

Which CO2 regulator is included in the Korallin package (is it the RF Deluxe Regulator featured on your site)?

Finally, will you guys do an all-inclusive deal (reactor, media, pump and CO2 regulator) with a GEO? He said there wasn’t a package on your site â€"œ but since you are recommending the GEO â€"œ I was wondering if you would put one together. I have a 125g tank â€"œ so I guess the smaller GEO 612 should work.

I am looking to buy in the next day or two, so any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jeremy B.]

According to the description, Korallin has this feature where it won’t allow excess CO2 into the tank â€"œ what I translate this to mean is if the valve on the CO2 bottle fails, or something weird happens, the CO2 in the tank won’t sky rocket. Is this correct?

Actually this is not the case. If the co2 regulator would fail, the unit would keep dumping co2 into the reactor. This in turn would keep spilling over to the tank as well, however I think it would get to a point to where it would create an airlock and completely stop pumping effluent into your system.

The sales person told me that the GEO is considered better than the Korallin. When I asked him if the GEO had the same safety feature as the Korallin (no possible CO2 over dosing) he said yes. But I don’t see this documented anywhere. Is this correct?

The safety feature really isn't that, a safety feature. It's more a way of getting the co2 to be more efficient in the system, by recirculating it, thus using less of it. By nature a reverse flow reactor works this way, unless it has a really odd plumbing job done to it. The Geo is plumbed to be reverse flow as well, and uses co2 right at about the same rate as the Korallin does.

The way the Korallin is plumbed is that it actually has a top mounted recirc pump, which has a tendency to get air locked quite frequently, and really need to either be bled off via the "second effluent line" or just by running two effluents to stay away from this. The Korallin also does take some work to get dialed in, and you do tinker with it quite a bit once it is up and runnig. The Geo really has the edge here where it is very easy to setup and maintain, and you don't really mess with it a whole lot. If you do decide you want to run the ph controller (takes 50% of the setup out of your reactor) then the Geo already has the probe adapter to do this.

The Geo unit has a footprint of 9" x 10", so I"m not sure if that would work for you or not with the space you are dealing with? Keep in mind this unit can be place either in sump or external to your sump.

The package price for the Geo would come to $449.99, co2 tank excluded.

If you have any other questions please feel free to let us know.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[blenny100]

Thanks for the info. Just a few more questions before I order. I think I will go with the GWO 612.

Is the regulator setup with the package deal the RF Deluxe fetured on your site? Is this a good regulator - ie., does it have fine enough control?

I am planning to get the Milwaukee controller - is this OK for this setup?

If I were to get the 5lb tank from you, how tall is the tank WITH the regulator attached?

Is the media you include the Schuran media that is recommended in the description of the GEO 612?

Do I need anything else?

Thanks.

 

[Jeremy B.]

The RF deluxe unit is the best regulator we have been able to find on the market. The needle valve has extremely precise control on it.

The Milwaukee controller's are not the best, but they do work. If you want to upgrade in that department take a look at the Reeffanatic or the Pinpoint.

I dont have the measurements handy to me right now as I am at home, but I will get them for you tomorrow morning and post them back here.

Right now we are currently out of stock on the Schuran media and the larger Gen-X media. Both are expected in very soon. We do have plenty of the ARM and Koralith if you want to go that route though.

The only other thing you could need for your setup would be a feed pump. The Geo is set up to be used with any small powerhead, however you can hook it by "T'ing" off of a return pump as well.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[Jeremy B.]

With the regulator on the tank you will be right at 20", or just a little under.

Thanks,
Jeremy