Which calcium reactor?

[gus6464]

I was heavily into planted tanks before I switched to reef and no one in the planted world takes the carbon doser seriously. It is a $20 regulator wrapped in $200 worth of electronics. Anyone that recommended it for planted tanks would be laughed out of existence. The amount of CO2 that is used on a reef is nothing compared to a high tech planted tank. In that environment a regulator failure will kill all fish in an instant. I paid 2/3 the price of a carbon doser for my victor complete and I have a Matheson 3102C as a backup.

With just a little bit of searching on ebay or surplus site $300 gets you the parts to put together a quality dual stage reg with an ideal vernier needle valve and whatever solenoid you want.

And yes I have lost freshwater fish to end of tank dump with a cheap regulator.

 

[tkeracer619]

Running a calcium reactor and a planted tank are not the same. The AP reg is great for a reactor. A 2 stage with a ap add on box is awesome.

 

[HippieSmell]

You could look into the Pacific Sun CalcFeeder line. It's a less expensive version of the dastaco everyone seems to sploosh over.

 

[slief]

You could look into the Pacific Sun CalcFeeder line. It's a less expensive version of the dastaco everyone seems to sploosh over.

I'd much rather take an off the shelf calcium reactor such as the Geo and add a good quality Masterflex pump to it than spend the money on the Pac Sun reactor which is brand new and uses an unproven pump and is backed with questionable support. The Masterflex pumps are by far the best continuous duty pumps you can get and when coupled with a decent regulator, they turn any calcium reactor into a very easy to tune set it and forget it device. I'm not saying the Pac Sun reactor is bad but they are only trying to duplicate something that has been tried and tested for many years. I.E. The Masterflex variable speed peristaltic pump when coupled with a calcium reactor and a decent regulator. It's not rocket science. When you gain precise variable speed control over the flow through the reactor without needing to restrict the effluent line, the old issues with calcium reactors such as clogged effluent lines goes away. They key is the quality and control that the feed pump offers and the Masterflex pumps (the good ones) are true medical grade continuous duty pumps that will run around the clock for many years.

 

[gus6464]

Well since this thread is an oldie I did end up getting the geo 612, then I found a good deal on a masterflex. On black Friday I might end up getting a geo 415 reactor with 1/4 quick connect and fill with arm to use as degas chamber.

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[gus6464]

I'd much rather take an off the shelf calcium reactor such as the Geo and add a good quality Masterflex pump to it than spend the money on the Pac Sun reactor which is brand new and uses an unproven pump and is backed with questionable support. The Masterflex pumps are by far the best continuous duty pumps you can get and when coupled with a decent regulator, they turn any calcium reactor into a very easy to tune set it and forget it device. I'm not saying the Pac Sun reactor is bad but they are only trying to duplicate something that has been tried and tested for many years. I.E. The Masterflex variable speed peristaltic pump when coupled with a calcium reactor and a decent regulator. It's not rocket science. When you gain precise variable speed control over the flow through the reactor without needing to restrict the effluent line, the old issues with calcium reactors such as clogged effluent lines goes away. They key is the quality and control that the feed pump offers and the Masterflex pumps (the good ones) are true medical grade continuous duty pumps that will run around the clock for many years.

I wonder who makes the continuous duty pump for the PAC sun and if it's really reliable enough for continuous duty. Even stenners which are beast pumps can't do continuous duty. Based on the complete price of the PAC sun it's quite suspect.

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[Bpb]

I've gotta echo the set and forget comment. I've not been running a calcium reactor near as long as most of you. Haven't been counting but I'd guess maybe 6-8 months or so? Once it's tuned though. It really is set and forget. As in I literally forget I even have one running half the time. I have it so oversized that my gas is running so slow that I don't expect it to need refilling for a couple years or more. Need to remember to replace my masterflex tubing. Otherwise it's literally just left alone to do its thing.


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[Greg 45]

Aquarium Engineering / Bill Wann
Look at his web sight or on facebook

 

[tkeracer619]

haha didn't realize this thread was old...

You guys are passionate about your masterflex setups and I love it . Glad they're working for you as advertised!