calcium reactor vs dosing pump

[chef]

Really, I can install a ca reactor and forget about dosing? Is it easier to achieve my parameters? Anyone selling in in the lower mainland?

[rhody605]

I use caribsea coarse rocks and I have a bit of zeo mag rocks added in my reactor. They are rocks that are high in mg.

My tank seems to require the little bit of extra mag to keep it all stable.

[daplatapus]

Reactor all the way here as well. Get a vertex RX-4 with the extra chamber to deal with your Mg at the same time. For some reason the last week or two I've been having issues with my Alk dropping so I've been manually dosing, but it's the first time in over a year of touching anything. I love it.

[Rice Reef]

Agree on the reactor. Although I am dosing at this time I'm hoping that within 9 mths vertex will have their act together with a release of a rumored new design or upgrade from the old design.

[Amadod2]

i have done some more research and heard that calcium reactors put extra phosphates into the system, is this true? im just looking for a setup that will be easier to maintain over the long term

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Amadod2

i have done some more research and heard that calcium reactors put extra phosphates into the system, is this true? im just looking for a setup that will be easier to maintain over the long term

I haven't heard that, but suspect that's true. But, phosphate is part of all organisms and corals need some phosphates. FWIW, I've always run a reactor, and my measurable PO4 is always 0ppm using a Hanna checker. I wouldn't worry about it.
Keep in mind all the food you add to the tank has phosphate, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

[Proteus]

I've heard about the phosphate issue but it was directed at certin brands. But I do believe that corals do utilize some po4.

You may be able to "cure" the media though I'm not certin about that

[wickedfrags]

I used a calcium reactor every day for over 6 years without issue. Once you figure out how it works and get it dialed in, it is a very stable piece of equipment which will give you great results.

I use a dosing pump now on a small system (90G) and it is not nearly as reliable as a calcium reactor.

That being said, dosing pumps can be effective, look at Darryl V's tank.

[michika]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I've always used a reactor and wouldn't switch. I fill the tank once a year and replace media every 6 months, otherwise a set and forget setup. I also believe the quality of dissolved media is better for the tank, vs dosing that can leave salts of the compounds being dosed (chloride, sulfates, etc)

I dose via a pump right now and would go back to a reactor in a hearbeat if I could. Unfortunately sourcing media is very difficult as the supply seems to be inconsistent in size, regularlity and pricing. The set it and forget aspect is extremely appealing and works like a dream (once you've got it dialed in right).


Brad,

Where do you find media?

[Bblinks]

Calcium reactor here, much easier for larger tanks.