People still using a calcium reactor?

karsseboom

karsseboom

New member
I'm thinking about using a calcium reactor cause i'm tired of dosing and buying 2 part. Is there a safe way to add the reactor without having big swings in the alk? I know people have trouble dialing them in the first time and having alk swings which I can't deal with.
 
I use a calcium reactor. I think there's a little bit of a learning curve to it like anything else. I alsothink the most important thing to have with it is a controller to monitor ph . I always did the bubble count until I picked.up an apex unit. My corals have never looked better. Once its up and running then you restrict the solution coming out with a valve to slow it down and monitor the alk. Use a good test kit as well. I was using API and two test kits said 9. I switched to salifert and found out I really was at 15. Good luck
 
BTW don't Chase a number either like 9 or 10 etc. what ever is a attainable level that you can maintain in a tolerable limit is good.
 
I had my calcium reactor on 90 gallon tank with my first SPS corals. I have to say that corals were growing real fast and my numbers were solid. Only my calcium was kind of on the low side 410-430 but alk was around 9-10. About 6 months ago reactor's regulator broke so I am dosing two part. Corals are still looking good by my numbers are up and down and I hate testing. Anyway can't wait untill I get my calcium reactor back on line.
 
I am currently running a reactor along with a Kalk reactor. No other way to go in my opinion. My tank is a 280 gallon sps dominant tank.
 
I have used a reactor for 3 years now. I test once a week just to keep an eye on things. The only adjustments I have had to do once dialed in are increases due to increased consumption by my corals. As you dial it in, just test at least daily and make up what you need with the 2 part.
 
I've used a reactor with a kalkwasser reactor for the last 9 years and have had great success. It's really a set and forget way to maintain your levels. The only downside is depressed pH which I counter with a kalkwasser reactor.

In an effort to try something different I will be making an attempt to switch to 2part over the next few days. If all goes well I will be selling my reactor and kalkwasser reactor. If all doesn't go well I will be selling my dozing pumps.
 
possibly try a marine magik dosing pump for maintenence.. i had one and it was really nice and some what easy to dial in if you know your consumption... a single was less than a hundred shipped. double was 129.oo.... id give it a shot rather than spending 5-6oo on a calcium reactor. might work for you
 
Both are great but I feel on larger sps systems and growth the calcium reactor is the way to go! IMO It is all about maintaining the correct perimeters and 2 part starts adding up on large systems
 
If you go with 2 part make sure u get the best of dosing pumps! you may spend a little more but they are far more accurate than the 100.00 dosing pumps, Lieter Meter is a good dosing system! You will spend at least $400-$600 for a great 2 part system.
 
its less than 400-600. THe bubble magus doser is excellent and around 250-300. It doses 3 different chemicals. I think with 3 different containers and the doser it cost me 278 shipped.
 
Have used a reactor for many many moons.
No clear cut way to keep a tank as you know by now, for me a reactor( GOOD quality equipment attached to it ie: solenoid, valve etc ) is the only way to go.

IME 3 reactors make the cut:
1-GEO
2-PROCAL
3-Deltec

Ive used a procal now for 3 years truly a great piece of equipment.
 
Also agree with gasman I've used a C reactor for several yrs now. Once you learn how they work and test weekly. It's pretty much set and running. Mine would be a Procal best investment I've ever made. It holds my tank steady at 9.3.
 
I love my reactor. I have a Korallin and nothing, I mean nothing comes close to that tiny 6" diameter footprint. Something to consider if space is limited.
 
Last edited:
I got a vertex RX 6 duo 6 months ago .... all I can say is, too complicated = too many connections = higher chance of something going wrong ... mine leacked 10 min after putting it online, and has been sitting in my closet ever since ...

hard to get rid of a brand new CA RX too ! lol
 
gasman059 said:
Have used a reactor for many many moons.
No clear cut way to keep a tank as you know by now, for me a reactor( GOOD quality equipment attached to it ie: solenoid, valve etc ) is the only way to go.

IME 3 reactors make the cut:
1-GEO
2-PROCAL
3-Deltec

Ive used a procal now for 3 years truly a great piece of equipment.
Click to expand...

I agree. In almost every situation I have come across in where the reactor is said to fail or overdose, the regulator/solenoid can be blamed. Buy a good one with a good warranty your gonna spend at least $120 on one. IMO any less and you might as well buy a some aspirin too.
 
Allmost said:
I got a vertex RX 6 duo 6 months ago .... all I can say is, too complicated = too many connections = higher chance of something going wrong ... mine leacked 10 min after putting it online, and has been sitting in my closet ever since ...

hard to get rid of a brand new CA RX too ! lol
Click to expand...

Where is it leaking from? mine leaked from the return pipe out of the reactor. I called them up And they sent me a brand new one. even told me to keep the old one for my trouble. very good company. rebuilt the original one and holds just fine.
 
I used to does 2 part and it was way too big of a PITA. My last tank ran a reactor built by me, so i could only run a reactor on this tank built by me. Works great and has all the features that the larger-priced reactors have, holds levels rock solid at 9.5dkh

Even a cheaper reg/sol that may fail can be set to work even after it fails, just set your bubble rate from the co2 just a tiny bit higher than needed, this way if it stick open you will have a bit of time before the ph falls to low.
 
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