Opinion: Kalkreactor or Calcium Reactor?

[jeffsreefdotcom]

I have no experience with either.

What are some pros and cons of each?

I know how they both "function", but if you want to get into that for those that don't, feel free!

Thanks!

~Jeff

 

[Katchupoy]

Just tagging along.

Here is my two cents. Kalkreactor is definitely cheaper than Calcium reactor. You can buy a very nice setup of Kalkreactor for 65 dollars without pump from this guy at reefcentral. Hes from washington but not a member of this board or club.

Anyway, Calcium reactor is more efficient I guess in delivering calcium. In Kalkreactor, you are just relying on your water evaporation while in calcium reactor you can add a more concentration. So if you have high demandind corals then calcium reactor is your choice.

Remember that in Kalkreactor, you can only saturate the freshwater with kalkwasser to such a point and thats it. I think its two teaspoon per gallon.

Right now I am using a 10 gallon glass tank to mix my kalkwasser. Mix it for several hours. Then settle, then I have a 10 day supply of calcium/alkalinity for my tank.

 

[jazznreef]

many people use both. it's considered a very effective method. the kalk offsets the calc reactor's push downward on ph. a number of experts say this is the best way to go, including at least 2 of our speakers for this year.

 

[mojoreef]

Kalk=calcium & carbonate
Calcium Reactor= calcium, carbonate, trace elements and an ammount of magnesium.


MIke

 

[alde]

I am finding that my kalk reactor is not able to keep up with the full demand of my tank. I use more than 3 gallons of kalk a day. I also have to dose 90 ml of B-Ionic every morning and that may not be enough very soon.

My tank is an SPS dominated 120 gallon tank with 4 full SPS colonies and several frags as well as a couple of LPS corals. The corals are growing much faster than I expected and just using up the CA. Once some of new frags really start taking off they are just going increase the demand. If the Monti Caps grow as fast as I have heard I think it will be time for a CA Reator for me sooner than later.

I am going to try to keep up for now with my current methods until I save enough $$ for a decent CA Reator. I am using Mrs. Wages pickling lime in the kalk reactor so the cost of that is pretty low, but the B-Ionic can get expensive at 90 ml or more a day.

 

[NaH2O]

I am finding that my kalk reactor is not able to keep up with the full demand of my tank. I use more than 3 gallons of kalk a day

Just curious as to how you've determined this. I think it is important to understand how to know when what we are supplementing is not enough, and we need to move onto other means. Kalk reactors are to maintain current calcium levels? Ca reactors help to increase them?

 

[NaH2O]

Also, here is another thread on the subject:

Let's Talk about them Calcium/Kalk reactors

 

[Scooterman]

Good link Nikki, one thing about this sport they don't tell you enough...all the reading required lol!

 

[Scooterman]

and then your required to read some more~~

 

[alde]

Just curious as to how you've determined this.

By testing CA and Alk every couple of days or so.