Calcium Reactor recommendations

[daplatapus]

I'm looking for advice on calcium reactor experiences. I've got a Vertex RX-4. It's been ok for my existing tank but I'm pretty sure it won't keep up with my 210 upgrade. It appears they aren't making the RX-6 or are doing some upgrades, but everyone's out of stock. My next thought was getting one from RLSS, but alas they stopped making them too. Although it sounds like they're going to building them again, but there's no eta
Has anyone tried either the SRO 5000 or any of the JNS reactors?
What others would you recommend for a 300 gal water volume?

[daplatapus]

Hmmm, anyone even using Ca reactors anymore? Anyone?

*cricket* *cricket*

[Rice Reef]

Originally Posted by daplatapus

I'm looking for advice on calcium reactor experiences. I've got a Vertex RX-4. It's been ok for my existing tank but I'm pretty sure it won't keep up with my 210 upgrade. It appears they aren't making the RX-6 or are doing some upgrades, but everyone's out of stock. My next thought was getting one from RLSS, but alas they stopped making them too. Although it sounds like they're going to building them again, but there's no eta
Has anyone tried either the SRO 5000 or any of the JNS reactors?
What others would you recommend for a 300 gal water volume?

Have you tried Safari? When I was in back in May they had a new RX-6 there.

[rhody605]

I love my rx-6. Granted my tank is only 80 gal and my calc and alk demand is still low. But has run flawlessly so far.

Too bad j&l isn't selling them anymore.

Is there any other stores that sell vertex in your area that can order it?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by daplatapus

Hmmm, anyone even using Ca reactors anymore? Anyone?

*cricket* *cricket*

I wouldn't use anything else. Mine is a DIY though, so not much help

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I wouldn't use anything else. Mine is a DIY though, so not much help

Ditto

I'd use what you have for now, see how does. Could always run two small ones instead of one big one.

[rhody605]

Not meaning to hijack or anything but how does a person determine if their reactor is becoming too small for the demand? By max flow in reactor with matched co2?

[michika]

Originally Posted by rhody605

Not meaning to hijack or anything but how does a person determine if their reactor is becoming too small for the demand? By max flow in reactor with matched co2?

When it can't keep up on demand, usually you see a lot of spikes in your levels, or there is the PITA side of things where you're having to resupply then dial back in your reactor endlessly.

I love reactors, and I'd still be running one however given my tank size, 550g, I struggle to find appropriately sized equipment and further to that I find media is hard to find, really hard. In a way reactors have been eclipsed by dosing, the new popular technology, and as such retailers don't carry as consistent or readily avilable supply as they used to say 5 years ago.

However, if you can find the right equipment and media go for it. Its a great investment, easy to dial in, minimal fuss to work with, and I found was a key factor in my past clam and SPS success.

[Bblinks]

Dom, I know geo makes a good reactor but its not the cheapest. IME the basics of a calcium ractor is all the same but the few key factor you need to look out for while shopping for a reactor, at least for me is the ease of filling it. I personally hate thumb screws, large opening is always better. Second is a ph probe, I don't count bubbles so I rely on the probe to adjust the level of CO2 going in. Third will be the reverse flow or upflow design which uses less CO2. The last is replacement parts, every thing has a limited life to it so if you can't find replacement then I wouldn't buy it.

[rynoe]

I'm running a Schuran jet stream 1 and love it.