Calcium Reactor Question!

[Beckmola24]

Since I will be keeping SPS I am seriously thinking about getting a calcium reactor. I was looking on Marinedepot and they say that the Precision Marine and the Korallin reactors are the most popular. Any input as to which reactor I should go with on a 90 gallon tank??? Thanks for any info/input!!

 

[reeftank1]

Lifereef has been great for my 90 gal.

I am not sure about the $$ but Lifereef has been great. Jeff will go out of his way to help you dial it in and the service/warranty is awesome.

 

[Maxx]

Geofloors makes a good reactor too...you can only buy at www.premiumaquatics.com

Check em out.

Nick

 

[Beckmola24]

The only reason I was looking at Marinedepot for reactors is because they have package deals which would give me everything I need.

 

[ROWAUSA]

before you buy, may I suggest you look at the Deltec Calcium Reactors. Having setup a large number of these reactors, I have found them to be well worth the money. They are easy to setup and adjust. None of them really need a pH monitor to work well. I am not a big fan of electronics and saltwater.

 

[Beckmola24]

Just wondering what a solenoid and regulator do exactly???

 

[Beckmola24]

Could someone give me some info on reactors? This is all new to me.

 

[DonW]

Becky,
A calcium reactor is nothing more than a tank that holds media and water. The water is circulated by a pump usually pretty low flow unless its fluidized like the Deltec. Water is drawn in from your sump and co2 is mixed with the water. This lowers the ph below 7.0, the result of the lower ph disolves the media. The result is dripped back into your tank replentishing your ca and alk along with other trace elements that happen to be in the media.
The solenoid and regulator control the flow of co2 to the reactor. Most regulators have two gauges. One tells you how much pressure is remaining in the bottle. The other is the pressure leaving the bottle. The solenoid is just a electronic valve that will shut down the flow of co to the reactor if either you have a power failure or a ph controller switches off due to low ph.

Hope this is what you needed
Don

 

[mmactg]

Can I suggest ebay. I found a custom dual chamber ca reactor with a pump for 145 bucks. The vendor is acrylic city out of Canada. I plan on using this along with a JBL Co2 regulator. Heard mostly great feedback on the value of this reactor. A couple folks have reported a small leak and seals that were easy to fix and or reseat. I have one one the way now, hope to have it up and running with korallith media in the next month or so. Here is the link....... good luck

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20758&item=4319142746&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

 

[Beckmola24]

Thanks mmactg! Welcome to Reef Frontiers! I will deffinately check out that reactor. Do I really need to put a solenoid on the reactor?? Sounds like something that isn't 100% needed and can wait. JMO

 

[DonW]

Thanks mmactg! Welcome to Reef Frontiers! I will deffinately check out that reactor. Do I really need to put a solenoid on the reactor?? Sounds like something that isn't 100% needed and can wait. JMO

The Mikwakee regulators come with the solenoid. They cost about the same as other that do not. I think you will wish you had one if the power goes out. Your media will turn to mush and you will just be dumping co2.

Don

 

[Beckmola24]

Where is the best place to get the Milwaukee regulators???

 

[mmactg]

Here are a couple of links.... I am shopping for one also.

JBL w/ solenoid best deal on ebay- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3212&item=4357636823&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

Milwaukee- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20758&item=4352280257&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

Both have the best price online from what I can tell. Glad to help.

Dennis

 

[CarlaW]

Becky,
A calcium reactor is nothing more than a tank that holds media and water. The water is circulated by a pump usually pretty low flow unless its fluidized like the Deltec. Water is drawn in from your sump and co2 is mixed with the water. This lowers the ph below 7.0, the result of the lower ph disolves the media. The result is dripped back into your tank replentishing your ca and alk along with other trace elements that happen to be in the media.
The solenoid and regulator control the flow of co2 to the reactor. Most regulators have two gauges. One tells you how much pressure is remaining in the bottle. The other is the pressure leaving the bottle. The solenoid is just a electronic valve that will shut down the flow of co to the reactor if either you have a power failure or a ph controller switches off due to low ph.

Hope this is what you needed
Don

Don, thanx for explaing that in terms a human can understand!! Don't you wish all instrutions came like that.