Calcium Reactor Basics

[SeaMonster]

OK I think I'm ready for my first reactor.
I already have a C02 tank/seleniod from my old FW planted tank.
what else do I need?
what do I really not need?
can i DIY it?
What makes it so different than just adding the liquid calcium?

thank you in advance

 

[91YOTA]

a ph controller is nice to have (milwaukee sms122)... yes you can diy it... lots of plans out there, just google "diy calcium reactor"... the nice thing about a reactor versus dosing 2 part is that once its dialed in, you dont have to do anything to it unless you need to refill the media or co2 tank... dosing also causes swings in chemistry (ph, etc) whereas the reactor gives the system stability since it is constant