what is your preference calcium reactor or dosing pump?

[951 reefer]

Just curious what everyones prefence is and why?

Thanks in advance

 

[Allmost]

calcium reactor is riskier, but cheaper for larger systems. its also less maintanance.

balling gives you alot more control over all variables.

I personally like dosing with a dosing pump more.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I never got into calcium reactors because of the hassle associated with them (based on others opinions), so my answer is biased. It was easy for me to start off manually dosing and then upgrading to a dosing pump later on when the demand got out of control.

 

[rodneyri]

Ive been using my CR for 3 years, no issue and my Alk stays stable at 9.5, some minor flucuations. I like it as its less maintenance on my system- i top up the media and clean the reactor yearly and replace the CO2 bottle every 6 months.

Test Alk weekly to keep a check on things.

 

[andbob25]

not sure how a cal rx could be a hassle? I put media in the camber, set the ph controller, turn on the co2 and set my drip. I don't even test anymore i just watch the clam and the corals. Again not sure how it could be to dangerous if the co2 reg fails it fails in the closed position. All i do is check my drip rate like once a week. I have a 210 gallon with tons of sps and i could not even imagine the cost and hassle of dosing two part even through a dosing pump. I use arms extra coarse high mag media so i don't even dose mag the most important part of all of it is buying quality equipment and media this is not a piece of equipment u want to cut corners with but i started saving money after having it for six months. Below is six months of growth. I lost most of my coral when i had to move my tank from GA to VA. Now things are looking good.

 

[OneReef]

CA reactor. Set it and forget it. Never had any problems in years....

 

[joelbegt]

I prefer 2-part for my system. Pairing my dosing pumps with a controller really made for rock solid numbers that can be easily adjusted for changes in demand. I use 2.5G jugs for holding so its mix it and forget it.

The price differences between balling and CR are negligible for most setups.