CA Reactor or Dosing

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by htfn

Thanks for the information. My system is about 120 gal total water, so dosing might be better way? However I am thinking to do DIY dosing before I will get nice one. I just like to try. I was serching DIY dosing and found one of the reefer was using Aqualifter pump and gang valve. What do you think about this idea? I have very limited budget to keep my tank running, so I try to keep cost down. Maybe I have wrong hobby.
Thanks

Nowadays everyone is on a budget, some are just bigger than others. I wouldn't give up just cause you can't afford all the fancy contraptions. My buddy Chris does the same thing, he doses calcium and alkalinity VIA a up side down container, some tubing and a regular adjustable valve. He uses it on a 75 gallon sps tank and it works awesome, never ever has he experienced any issues and his sps growth is rock solid. This is just an example of DIY that works as good as any 600 dollar doser and it only cost him a fraction of that. Give it a try and see how it turns out. Don't be discouraged.

[Lampshade]

I've done a full "budget" SPS reef tank. Look for used calcium reactors, lots of people switching to fancy new dosing systems. I picked up mine for $200 and will provide more than enough for any growth. Costs me about $50 a year refilling my CO2 and buying a gallon jug of ARM media that lasts a year and a half. The cost for Dosing would be much higher yearly. Lots of ways to save money on a reef tank, but sometimes the fancy new start-up systems are actually worth the money to save hassle.

[whatcaneyedo]

I've been running a Ca Reactor since 2006. My current PM 622 (old down flow style) was purchased used and has worked very well for me since 2007. The only issue I've had is with the CO2 Regulator. I tried a Milwaukee and then an Aquariumplants.com unit, both have given me more trouble than they should have. I'm not sure what the best on the market is right now but its well worth your while to not cheep out there.

Total system volume is 240gal.

[htfn]

I'll give it a try diy dosing. If My tank and I like it then get a better pump. If it doesn't work, I have to upgrade my reactor. My negotiation will start pretty soon. Hopefully my wife says ok to get nice one.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by htfn

Hopefully my wife says ok to get nice one.

I'll never understand you guys!! Isn't the goal to get the wife to say "ok, I'll forgive you this time" ?
And if you're good, you lead in with "huh? This old thing? I've had it in a box downstairs for years!!"

[daniella3d]

what if the wife is watching over the budget and the money that come out? That old excuse "I've had it for years" wont help to justify the 500$ hole in the bank account

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'll never understand you guys!! Isn't the goal to get the wife to say "ok, I'll forgive you this time" ?
And if you're good, you lead in with "huh? This old thing? I've had it in a box downstairs for years!!"

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

what if the wife is watching over the budget and the money that come out?

That's crazy talk!! Who would do such a thing?

[ashr]

I am also trying to figure out what I want to do.
I have a 66 gallon now and will upgrade in a couple of years

Doser

Kalk Reactor

or Calc Reactor...


I dunno what do to just yet

[htfn]

My wife never watch the bank account or credit card bill, but I know she is giving up a lots of stuff she wants. I try to be honest and never hide anything from my wife.

[Dez]

I've run a full sps tank for 2.5 years with crazy amounts of growth and good colours. I run a calcium reactor and haven't tested any parameters except for salinity for the past year. I just run my reactor full blown and my corals are still growing. I have only had to remove corals over the last year due to excessive growth.

On the flip side, I've never tried dosing so I can't compare. I simply fill my reactor every 6 months or so with media and the CO2 gets filled about every 6 months as well.

Hope this helps.