Questions about Tunze Turbo Calcium Automat Reactor 3170

[trilinearmipmap]

I am thinking of getting a calcium reactor for my 120 gallon reef. I have never had a calcium reactor before.

I was considering the 3170 because of its compact fit and lack of need for a feed pump.

As I understand I can put this inside my sump, is this correct?

My main concern is that this calcium reactor is a bit of an unknown as far as user experience. I could not find any people on this forum or on other forums who have posted reviews about this calcium reactor.

I would normally go on faith because the other Tunze products I have used (stream, and osmolator) have been excellent.

However I read that one disadvantage of a calcium reactor which draws water in without a feed pump is that the calcium media can compact, slowing the flow of water.

Is this true? And can you point me to any reviews of this product, or any sites or posts where someone is using this calcium reactor on their tank?

 

[algaeguy]

Hi trili:

I just started using one in my new 150 gallon system. I must say, it is one of the most simple, easy-to-use pieces of equipment I've ever had. The setup literally took like 5 minutes, the adjustments of effluent is ridiculously easy, and it provided immediately noticeable results in the tank in which it is situated.

I have located the reactor in my sump. The pump with the reactor is absolutely silent, and the compact size is a real plus. I'm not sure how the unit will perform in a high-calcium-demanding
SPS dominated system, but for those of us with modest needs, it's a real winner, IMO.

The quality is everything that you'd expect from Tunze, and so is the mounting system (which means I couldn't figure out how to use it!). Really, mine is just stadning in the sump...no problem at all. If it continues to perform as it has initially, I'd say it's another winner for Tunze-probably a real "dark horse" product that doesn't get all of the press like the "sexier" brands do, but filling a niche nonetheless!

I would not hesitate to recommend it to someone who understands the calcium needsof his/her system and thinks that this unit can do the job.

HTH

Scott

 

[rvitko]

We use a different media from most so that tends to prevent problems with compaction. We use ground limestone so it is hard and doesn't form powder and sediment so readily and it also is free of any impurities. I use one in my 120 and I really like it, teamed with the calcium dispenser on my osmolator pH is rock solid between 8.15 and 8.20.

 

[trilinearmipmap]

Thanks Roger and Scott for the replies.

 

[Ginzo]

Hi rvitko,

Would it be possible to post more pictures of your calcium reactor..and your setup !

I would love to see it in action !

 

[rvitko]

I will do it after MACNA. Can you remind me later next week?

 

[Ginzo]

Sure thing !

It would be great to see the calcium reactor in action, since I might be looking at purchasing one !

 

[Ginzo]

Hey Roger,

Just a reminder, it would be great if you could post pictures of your entire setup !

I'm really interrested in seeing pictures of the Turbo Calcium Automat Reactor 3170 in action !

Thanks

 

[Ginzo]

bump..waiting for the pics

 

[rvitko]

I know, still getting settled back in. I will try to take them tonight and post them tomorrow.

 

[Ginzo]

That's very nice of you !

 

[rvitko]

If you PM me an address I can also email a manual:

 

[Ginzo]

Thanks Roger !

The manual is very helpful for understanding this calcium reactor!

How would you rate this calcium reactor up against other know calcium reactors, such as Schuran JetStream 1 ?

Would it be enough for a 120 g tank, with SPS corals ?

I like how it's small and seems easy to setup ?

Do you need the pH controller with it ? Or can it be setup with something else to control it ?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

You know, it is a lot like skimmers in that everyone values different qualities. No doubt the Schuran is more powerful. It has a very high efficiency in using CO2, achieving 1kilo of media dissolved by 1 kilo of CO2, we need about double the CO2 as do most units. I think our advantage is parts availability, ease of set up and compact size, we alos have a more energy efficient pump. I can say this, used in conjuction with the Calcium Dispenser you will get a rock steady pH and you will have no issues with a short supply of calcium or alk. You really want to use a ph controller.

 

[bad inferno]

I know this is an old thread but why do we need the calcium dispensor coupled with the reactor. I had assumed the automat would of provided all the calc / alk requirements

 

[rvitko]

It is not "required" but they balance each other out and greatly increase the stability. The kalkwasser additions raise the pH which triggers the dosing of CO2 when used with a controller so the reactor can do its job, the kalk binds any free CO2 released by the reactor and raises the KH, with the pair, in a couple months you will achieve a very stable tank with a pH almost constantly between 8.1-8.2. Kalkwasser does very little for the calcium levels, it is too weak, the main advantage is in alkalinity and pH stability.

 

[bad inferno]

Its interesting that Tunze is measuring the tank pH to control the reactor CO2 supply and not controlling pH within the reactor itself ? Which I now understand your comment on stable pH.

I suppose the benefit is a single pH probe and your comment on a different media I suspects provides slightly more variability for the pH within the reactor before it really breaks down.

Its quite a large money outlay and I suppose its philosophical on if you control the pH within the reactor or monitor tank pH and influence reactor performance by shutting down CO2 supply. I really would of thought shutting off CO2 there would of been a significant time in hours before ca/alk addition was such that it influenced tank pH.

I like the footprint being small and only having a 90g tank Im willing to give it a try....

 

[rvitko]

That is actually the oldest way to do it, it was fairly recent that monitoring the pH inside the reactor came to be, within the last decade or so, I think Schuran was the first with such a system. It is a system that has always worked well for me, the latest and most advanced systems seem to use both methods. The main difference with our media is it is pure calcium carbonate, it is an industrial by product and not a natural product like the coral fragments many systems use. The coral fragments are more porous and reactive but they break down quickly and compact as a result, they degrade throughout instead of just having the surface eaten away. Ours are more dense pieces between the size of dried peas and lentils.

 

[RobbieMVFC]

Hi All , can anyone give me an update on how this reactor is going as I am thinking of buying one ?
current setup is a 90g full of SPS . however I have plans to upgrade in about 18months to 125-150g
would this unit be able to support either of these systems?

 

[rvitko]

It would be at its limit on a 100 gallon SPS intensive system, you can use the extension for the bigger system after the upgrade. We are working on a bigger reactor but it is not due for at least a year.