One last ? before I buy a Ca reactor (Korallin C-3002)...

[OceanLyons]

I'm just about to buy a Korallin C-3002.

My last question before I buy is...

pH monitor, controller, or neither?

I'm thinking that I should get the monitor so that I can get the reactor dialed in with no losses. It is the PinPoint brand. Getting the controller might break the bank.

Without a monitor or controller, all I have are the typical test kits for Ca, pH, and alk. I am also bad about regularly testing.

Any last thoughts?

 

[McCrary]

Get a GEO, I had a Korallin and switched to a GEO, besides you can't use a pH controller with a Korallin because it doesn't have a pH probe hole, and they are really finicky.

 

[mavgi]

personal i don't think it's needed for 55 gallon , but this is your decision.....

why not to go with the Geo they are more easy to maintenance and everyone that have them happy with .

you can use PH monitor but if you want to set and forget... get the controller .

 

[netboy]

Get a controller, you dont want your regulator go to nuts and drop your PH to 6 or something while you are gone. If setup properly your ph should not move very much at all. But having that fail safe is a must IMO when you invest so much money already.

 

[McCrary]

Oh, here's the regulator to use if you decide to get a calcium reactor.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLANTS_com_s_Co2_Regulator_The_BEST_p/co2-1.htm

 

[OceanLyons]

Thanks everyone. Korallin's literature says that I do not need a controller.

How do you feel about that?

 

[McCrary]

Technically you don't need a controller, but you also technically don't need a lot of things, a controller just makes things easier. I'm sure Korallin is going to tell you a controller isn't necessary as their reactors don't have a pH port to use a controller.

 

[photobret]

You can buy the lid for the Korallin its $60 extra from Marine Depot. I have C-1502 and will be using the new lid. The regulator recommended above is Awesome and will give you an easier time setting up the Korallin as it seems to be more stable and less prone to changing the output or getting stuck. Oh and get a controller you wont look back, even if you only se it in your tank for now and not in the reactor. You can still monitor your PH and control the reactor if your PH drops too low.

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12769276#post12769276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McCrary
I'm sure Korallin is going to tell you a controller isn't necessary as their reactors don't have a pH port to use a controller.

Maine Depot selling the Korallin lid with pH probe hole

Really?

 

[Reefer08]

thats an expensive regulator. Any difference vs the JBJ unit for 100 dollars? Look the same and the jbj has a light that comes on.

 

[itZme]

You can also use a drip cup for the effluent and leave your controller probe in the cup to monitor PH of the reactor. I have a friend that has a VERY successful 180g SPS tank that is run that way.

I drilled and tapped my lid for 1/2" NPT and then installed a 1/2" John Guest fitting that I drilled out a bit at the bottom to hold my probe. I like the quick release technology for cleaning the probe too

-- Kevin

 

[McCrary]

Apparently Korallin has a pH probe hole in their new lids, but seeing as how you have to buy it seperately, as it isn't stock with the 3002, tack on an additional $60. So, that brings the total for the Korallin to $520, which is $60 more than the GEO 624, which holds 2.4lbs more media and has a superior build quality. The regulator from aquariumplants.com is a good regulator, it may cost more than some other regulators, but that probably has to do with the quality of the reactor. I owned a Korallin 1502 and a couple regulators before the GEO and the aquariumplants regulator, so it isn't like I'm pulling this stuff out of thin air.