Switching to calcium reactor from two part

brad65ford

brad65ford

New member
Hey guys i'm getting a little nervous since I'm going to be doing a new build with this time using a Calcium reactor. Mostly do to the low ph factor.

Anyway I need some inspiration to finished the project, has anyone seen better growth and or colors when switching to a calcium reactor? I do hope its worth the money they are not cheap when you factor in all the components. :uhoh3:
 
I saw similar results in growth, but I saved myself hours of work every week because I wasnt making two part.

You won't regret it. Just go slow and test. And remember, a calcium reactor is to maintain parameters, not make adjustments with. You want to use two part to get to the numbers you want and then put in enough effluent to hold those numbers.
 
It just boils down to which system you are capable of keeping more stable. You will find people saying they have better growth going both ways. Some people just have an easier time dialing in and maintaining a Reactor, while others 2 part. I go back and forth but always end up deciding to stick with 2 part (well 3 part). However I really need to start mixing it in larger batches.
 
I use 2 knop s iv calcium reactors piggybacked together along with a kalk wasser reactor to keep the ph up. FYI, I still add arm and hammer baking soda once in a while even with both ca Rx and kalk reactor running. Sometimes the flow of the ca rx slows due to media particles or i run out of co2 and not notice it for a while. I just add baking soda to raise my alk to 10 and the ca rx has no problem maintaining it.
 
The key to calcium reactor is a reliable regulator like the aquarium plant electronic regulator and a precision needle valve or a continuous dosing dump.
 
Thanks guys for all your help and encouragement. I have a custom reactor being build from the guys over at Absolutely Fish in Clifton NJ. As of right now all I have is a filled 10lb tank, (2) 8lb's jugs of ARM course media for both sides of the dual reactor. My last piece of the puzzle is deciding on which regulator to get since there seems to be tons of options and a lot of people saying "don't get this one etc..". GLA looks the the best on the market. Just don't really understand what the "two stage" regulators means? or if its worth the each cost. http://greenleafaquariums.com/co2-regulators.html
 
I own the original aquariumplants electronic regulator. I can't recommend it, as they don't sell it anymore. I assume this one would work as well, though. Maybe not?
 
flamron said:
This is the only regulator to even look at:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/CarbonDoser_Electronic_Co2_Regulator_p/co2.htm

The rest will just be a waste of money, IMO.
Click to expand...

+1 I have only used aquarium plants regulator so I can't speak about the others but this one is set it and forget. I have used over a year now onced I dialed in I never have had to touch it ever again. One other thing I like about this regulator, if it ever goes bad after your warranty period, they will repair it and you only pay $50 max.
 
I used to have calcium reactor and now I´m using two parts

For me, two parts is easier than reactor

Two parts I need to mix the parts each 3 months and that´s it.

Calcium reactor you need to wash, buy the media, recharge the Co2 , tune the bubbles. Also some media has po4 .

If I were you, I would keep the two parts

About growth and color , for me is the same with reactor or two parts

Best Regards
 
I'm using the aquarium plants regulator with a masterflex pump. It's set it and forget it. I haven't touched it in a month probably and just recently went on vacation for 8 days without any problems.
 
I have been using a carbon doser (former aquarium plants) for over a year and know two other reefs that use it. No issues thus far and its pretty much set and forget.
 
I too have been curious about switching to calcium reactor but have heard its more unstable? 2 part is easier isn't it?
 
For smaller system the ca Rx "maybe" unstable... but for larger systems it is the way to go. I run almost an 800 system. Any changes in alk happens over a prolonged period of time. My vote goes to the aquarium plants regulator too. I use an average regulator with the solenoid always on. My system is just big enough to handle if the bubble rate or the effluent is inconsistent from time to time.
 
I went from 2 part to a over sized calcium reactor. I have about 270 gallons of water in a SPS dominating tank. the 2 part just could not keep up so I had to make a choice. Either:
A- get 2 much larger dosers that were able to put out more than 1.1 ml a minute (BRS)
B- get a calcium reactor set up.
I already had a extra circulation pump and have a buddy that brews his own beers so he lent me his cylinder filled with Co2 and I found a used aquarium plants regulator online (about to be 3 years old and solid!! worth every penny!) I purchased a used PH controller, a new ph probe, new GEO818 and BAM! I have a calcium reactor complete set up. all in all cost me about 600.00 but knowing I never have to test for anything but ALK is priceless and the ALK is so steady it is insane!
All my corals are coloring up very nicely and growing like weeds. I will never dose 2 part again, even if I had a 40 gallon SPS tank.
I went with the oversized reactor because I plan on adding a fish room and a big grow couple of big grow out tanks in the near future. GEO's service is top notch and it is build like a tank.
 
kyle1284 said:
I went from 2 part to a over sized calcium reactor. I have about 270 gallons of water in a SPS dominating tank. the 2 part just could not keep up so I had to make a choice. Either:
A- get 2 much larger dosers that were able to put out more than 1.1 ml a minute (BRS)
B- get a calcium reactor set up.
I already had a extra circulation pump and have a buddy that brews his own beers so he lent me his cylinder filled with Co2 and I found a used aquarium plants regulator online (about to be 3 years old and solid!! worth every penny!) I purchased a used PH controller, a new ph probe, new GEO818 and BAM! I have a calcium reactor complete set up. all in all cost me about 600.00 but knowing I never have to test for anything but ALK is priceless and the ALK is so steady it is insane!
All my corals are coloring up very nicely and growing like weeds. I will never dose 2 part again, even if I had a 40 gallon SPS tank.
I went with the oversized reactor because I plan on adding a fish room and a big grow couple of big grow out tanks in the near future. GEO's service is top notch and it is build like a tank.
Click to expand...


At what point did you find your dosers couldn't keep up? I'm dosing around 200ml a day and still have a fair bit of room with the 1.1's. I've seen a lot of people on this forum talk about those adjustable dosers as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JChitmon
Anyone quit 2 part and started All For Reef?
Replies
2
Views
502
Reefing102
Reefing102
J
Calcium very elevated
Replies
3
Views
739
jcarlilesiu
J
Reefing102
Equipment needed for a full calcium reactor set up?
Replies
4
Views
609
five.five-six
five.five-six
griss
Talk to me about Hydros
2 3
Replies
42
Views
1K
wvned
wvned
five.five-six
Calcium reactor pH problem
Replies
3
Views
482
ct_vol
ct_vol
Back
Top