Calcium Reactor Question

[kc]

I have a 130 gl reef tank, most of them are softies, LPS, small amount of sps and 2 clams. Do you recommend to purchase a calcium reactor in my system? I know the ca reactor will balance, maintain ca and alk and it is cheaper for long run.
Currently I am dosing kalk nightly (trying), I will miss a day or 2 when I am very busy and adding Buffer and Ca once for a while.
Any suggestion of a good cal reactor or where can I buy a used one?

Thanks
KC

 

[mojoreef]

Hi KC. a calcium reactor is an easier route to go, its not a manditory thing but make life a little easier for sure. As per which way to go, their are alot of them out thier, I would do a little reseach and searches on peoples comments on the ones they use, that way you can get some positive feed back. I personaly use a deltec, probibly the best unit I have ever used but comes with a high price tag, to high in my opinion.

hope it helps


Mike

 

[jlehigh]

Hey Kc. On such a big tank I would think a reactor would help automate your calcium levels. If the cost is too great and you are not comfortable making a DIY unit you can always automate your Kalk dosing by either using a dosing pump or setting up an IV drip.

I myself bought an IV kit from a vetrinary clinic. I then bought a 6 gal water jug which most use for those office water dispensers (not sure what they are called). I drilled a hole 5" up from the bottom of the jug that was smaller than the IV insert, then jammed the IV insert into the jug and seald it with IC gel and sylicon "Goop" I had laying around. I then ran the IV tube to the sump and set it to a pace that matches my evaporation rate (1 drop every 2 seconds). Initially I was dripping pretty concentrated kalk. Once I reached the proper levels I adjusted the concentration accordingly.

For a tank as large as yours I would drip from a larger container so you only have to fill it every few days to a week... I have the luxury of using a garbage can for my 280 because it sits in the garage. The 6gal feed for my 46gal sits on a shelf in my office just above the sump..

Hope this helps..

 

[reeffan]

KC,
Mojo and jlehigh is right, especially if you have clam(s). Im also working on a knock-off DELTEC reactor (not done yet =) for a lessssser price. The unit is still in progress and hoping to finish it this coming month. When im done making it, i will post some pics for you and the others to see. Goodluck with your tank.

reeffan

 

[Katchupoy]

I believe having CA reactor is the way to go.

Doing or making a DIY calcium reactor is fairly simple BUT buying the gadgets is the hard part.... CO2 tank, regulator, needle valve... it will probably cost you 250 - 300 dollars.

I ended up for a kalk dripping. I added this...
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KM1651

then everything went fairly smooth...

I connected it to a 10 gallon reservoir with kalk with small powerhead inside. This gives me 10 days (more or less) of not thinking if its still dripping or not and adjusting...

 

[Katchupoy]

reeffan...

take a look at this...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144438

 

[wanareef]

The dual stage regulator will cost you about $100 this is with a solonoid, a flow meter is about $40, the co2 tank you can rent $100 deposit and $15-20 to refill a 20lb tank, then the media, ARM at $18 a container and the reactor itself, "man" this is an expensive (hobby) addiction. heh heh :lol: :lol: So that's where all my lunch money goes

 

[kc]

Thanks for all your information.
Since my cabinet has limited space, I want to get small cal. reactor that can provide enough cal./alk to my tank. Have anyone has exprerience with aqua medic 400 calcium reactor,
Schuran Calciumreactor Jetstream Pico, Deltec PF 509 Calcium Reactor which I find in the Equip area.
I know, most of our lunch money goes to the fish.
However, I rather spend some money now to keep the tank stable and happy which will save us all in the long run.
I am currently dipping kalk with a 2 gl Kent doser, it will last for 2 days. My RO reservoir is too far away from my tank so I can't connect them together . This is why I am looking for cal. reactor.

Thanks
KC

 

[DonW]

I would go with a fluidizing reactor over the recirculating. My recirc does ok but I've read that fluidizing is much more effecient.
You could switch to a nurse type top off system, I wouldnt stop using kalk since it helps precipitate phosphates.

Don