ReefPack 500 questions and options ?

[Herbie]

Roger........
I am lately thinking more and more, that I should just get the ReefPack 500 instead of adding a 3166 to the side of my 9010 for in-tank use. I just have a few questions.
I think I remember you saying that an upgraded ReefPack 500 was available, that uses the 9010 instead of the standard 9005 in the ReefPack 500. Is it possible to get a 9010 ReefPack instead of the 9005 ReefPack ??? I have had a 9005 and now a 9010 and I like the more powerful 9010 much better than the 9005.

Also..........I like the osmolater that comes with the ReefPack, but I know nothing about it. I use a modified medical dosing pump now, but I would much rather use a self leveling top off system, like an osmolater. Can I dose kalkwaser with the osmolater ??? ALL of my top off water is lime water.......about a gallon a day. Do all the sensors for the osmolater sit within the 3166 filter on the ReefPack? It looks like everything is included with the ReefPack..........top-off pump,controller and container, 3166 filter and the skimmer.........what else is included.........magnet holders???

And finally.........are the Reefpack "modules glued together.......3166 is glued to the skimmer or do they just sit next to each other ??

Thanks for your time Roger........I am trying to go 100% Tunze on this tank. Streams are next !!!

Later.........Roger

 

[marrstarr]

I have a reefpack 500 so I can tell you what I know. You can dose kalk but you need the calc dose bottle. I think its like $90 or something. The osmo sensors are in the unit out of sight. It does not come with magnet holders but does come with several ways to attach the unit. The reefpack is one unit all the modules fit in the unit.

I can say I love this unit. It is the best purchase I have made.

 

[Herbie]

Thanks for the feedback.
I was looking at the kalk bottle as well, but I am not sure exactly how the osmolater system or the kalk bottle works . Does the bottle hold powdered kalk or a high strength wet kalk mix? I understand that there is an optical sensor that determines the desired water level and a "high" water float to prevent overflow. The metering pump just keeps the waterlevel at a constant level at the sensor.......I am just guesing at how this works ......correct???
I would like to know exactly what comes with the 500.

I am pretty close to biting the bullet on the 500, but the only thing I am hesitant about is the 9005 skimmer pump. I am hoping I can get a Reefpack500 with a 9010 pump instead of the 9005 for a few extra $$$. After having both a 9005 and a 9010........there is no comparison in terms of skimming performance. The 9010 is a MUCH more powerful skimmer.......and still silent!

Thanks .........Herbie
Crossing my fingers for the "optional" ReefPack 1000 ( 9010 ReefPack) !!! Hint,hint,......Roger.

 

[thumbsy]

I just bought an osmolator, you are correct in how it works.

The dispenser holds a wet kalk mix. The pump pumps fresh water into the dispenser which then pushes the kalk water into your system.

If you already have a 9010 couldn't you just buy a standard reefpack 500 and just swap out the skimmer cup, pump, and bottom?

Then you could sell me the 9005.

 

[kenneth31400]

The reefpack is glued together so you cannot upgrade
to a skimmer with newer features when it comes along.
They usually launch improved features e.g. venturi nozzle
design during the midcycle of a product. Upgrading is
what keeps the juices flowing.

 

[rvitko]

The Reefpack 500 9005 skimmer is upgradable to the 9010, you just order a 9010.04 pump and a 220.14 cup but they don't really offer a package with the bigger skimmer. Basically- as Thumbsy said except the bottom and all the rest are the same. The majority of times the upgrades can be retrofitted unless the body changed like between the 9010 and 3130/2 but it was possible to upgrade from say a 3130 to a 3130/2 and even then the 3130/2 was changed a few times and all the upgrades could have been added except the new glued in silencer that replaced the simple one on the hose that the older units had.

 

[Herbie]

Well I decided to bite the bullet, and go with the ReefPack 500. Thanks for all the info and help understanding how it all works.
I ordered a Reefpack 500, Kalk/calcium dispenser 5074 and 2 6080 magnetic holders. I hope I have thought of everything I need! I am still a little fuzzy on what type of media I can run in the 3166 and baskets? I am sure the manual will help when I get it.
Brian from Fins Reef was very helpfull, and made sure I got everything I needed. I have ordered from Fins Reef in the past and I was very satisfied in Fins Reef/Brians cust service and help, and would highly recommend them! http://www.finsreef.com/home.php
This Tunze Reefpack 500/ 5074 system is going to replace a LOT of other equipt on my system including a 9010,and a Tunze master recirc pump 1073.030, which may both be for sale soon.
I am hoping that the new set-up will be much less troublesome, than running a sump,plumbing,dosing pump,micron socks, etc,etc,etc......like I am running now. I feel like I am chained to my tank, because it is so complicated, I cant even go away for more than a few days at a time, without worrying if its all running properly, without my intervention! Its a nightmare if the power goes out.........I have to reset everything. If the power ever went out when I was away, it would be a disaster. The Tunze Reefpack/calcium reactor combo should make my system much more simple, and provide me with a "better" filtering capacity than what I have now with a sump. Maybe I will feel confident enough to go away for more than 2-3 days at a time !!! YES...........Finally some peace of mind!
I am very happy with my Tunze equipt I have run up to this point, so I am sure my experience with the ReefPack500/5074 Kalk dispenser with be the same!
THANKS Tunze and THANKS Roger........for high quality products and outstanding cust support !!!!
Thanks...........Herbie

 

[asmujica]

Herbie what tank are you planning on using it on?

BTW your private message inbox here on RC is full.