What do you use??

[Wiskey]

Moorpark! I've been there a few times on business!

I use a korilian sp? I drilled the lid for a ph probe, and used a needle valve instead of a ball valve to control effluant.

I've only used this one for a bit, but my 180 had a dual stage one setup in much the same way. That one suffered a disaster when the silonoid stuck open and melted the media. I changed my current setup to account for that. If the ph goes under a set point it will kill the mixing pump and text me. Also even if it sticks I have a high quality co2 needle valve that can very precisely set c02 flow. It is configured at a low enough bubble rate to require the co2 to be on 90% of the time so a failure won't run away as fast.

Whiskey

 

[ajcanale]

AJ how many sps corals do you have? Did you find a CARX hard to fine tune?

I have about 30 varieties. Mostly colonies.

Compared to dosing pumps? lol, not at all. Takes 2 seconds to change the flow rate of reactor... compared to reprogramming dosing pumps and doing math blah blah, though this might not the the case with all dosing pumps. Mine were controlled via Apex.

Also if you use certain media (TLF reborn) you don't have to ever think about trace elements.

 

[dnov99]

MTC pro cal Calcium reactor for me. Extra coarse media with electronic regulator Is a must.

 

[troynel]

Thanks!

Yes whisky moorpark. I actually go down to your neck of the woods a few times a year as well for business.

 

[troynel]

Is a peralistic pump a must?

 

[troynel]

I think I'm leaning towards a reacto

 

[Wiskey]

Is a peralistic pump a must?

I don't use one, though I'm sure it would be better. I have a regular pump feeding mine and I use a plastic needle (gate?) valve to control the effluant flow.

Whiskey

 

[reefmutt]

I don't use one either.. The recirculating pump creates some negative pressure in my reactor, so I use a small ball valve on the input side.. It does need adjustments every few days..
Yes a controllable pump would probably be easiest..

 

[DSMpunk]

The problem I have always had with Ca reactors is the regulator and the check valves. I have run a 1502 over the course of the 15ish years and love it, but HATE the regulators.

So if you go that route, I would definitely invest in an electronic regulator. They are pricey, but IMO the only way to go.

 

[DSMpunk]

http://www.aquariumplants.com/CarbonDoser_Electronic_Co2_Regulator_p/co2.htm

That is the one you want.

 

[reefmutt]

Yep.. Da punk is right on both...

 

[troynel]

Thanks. I will plan on getting that as well.

 

[DavidinGA]

I've never used a cal reactor, but I haven't had any complaints with dosing.

It's cheap and easy, even for my 250gal volume.

I use Leslie pool supply soda ash and hardness plus for alk/cal and then I use bulk mag chloride I get off eBay for dirt cheap plus Epsom salt I pick up at Walmart (dirt cheap again).


The biggest problem with dosing is cost if you buy your stuff from a lfs or an online reef store. The bend you over and give it to ya on price...

 

[domvert]

Started to buy from Leslie Pool Supply also after seeing quite a few people especially DavidinGA using it-
I have no issues and it works out convenient, since a store is close to me

 

[swk]

I went from 2 part dosing with litermeters, to a geo calrx with masterflex pump and carbon doser reg. I was very happy with the litermeters, but really wanted all the advantages that come with a calrx. However, I didn't want all the fiddling that can go with a reactor. The setup I'm running with the peri pump and electronic regulator is a dream come true. Infinitely adjustable, stable and reliable. Expensive, yes, but worth every penny ime

 

[steallife904]

is there a kit anyone sells that comes with everything you need for a calcium reactor. Thinking of going this route on my new build as well. Calcium reactor is new territory for me though so trying to research it a bit....

 

[ShesEasy]

Reactor....best thing ever

 

[dadummy]

kalkwasser in auto top off, cheap and easy. Once demand can no longer be satisfied will be setting up a calcium reactor for the first time. After reading a couple threads in the equipment forum I am convinced that a CArx can be used successfully.

I have manually dosed two part daily for years. For me the piece of mind of knowing what was going in the tank was worth the chore. There has always been stories of reactors and dosing pumps failing.

 

[swk]

is there a kit anyone sells that comes with everything you need for a calcium reactor. Thinking of going this route on my new build as well. Calcium reactor is new territory for me though so trying to research it a bit....

I believe it's called Dastaco. They're extremely high dollar but they are truly plug and play.

 

[Ancelot]

Are the Carbon doser electronic regulator any good?

Anyway I support CR for big tanks - even my 2 footer runs a H&S CR. Dosers are good but too much hassle imo..