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#1
10-17-2008, 02:48 AM
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I found buying the reactor to only be half the cost of the setup so I dont know how much you'll save with a DIY job. I went with a Precision Marine 422 (the old downdraft style) for around $430 because it was the only thing I could find for sale in Canada at the time. This was just before I was introduced to this forum and all of the Canadian sponsors... if you really want to save a buck find one for sale used.
With that I also have a DIY effluent chamber, CO2 regulator from aquariumplants.com, a 2' CO2 cylinder, and Milwaukee pH controller. Everything plus the media after tax amounted up to about $1000... At the time I found a lot of support for the GEO reactors on Reefcentral as well. Calcium reactors are a lot like skimmers and by that I mean you should buy one rated for a larger system than what you have and save youself from having to upgrade in a year.
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"We shall dive down through black abysses... and in that lair of the Deep Ones we shall dwell amidst wonder and glory forever." - H.P. Lovecraft Old 120gal Tank Journal New 225gal Tank Journal May 2010 TOTM The 10th Annual Prince George Reef Tank Tour 
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#3
10-17-2008, 03:53 AM
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http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php
That article may help you with setting it up and running it... I didnt like the directions from PM that came with the reactor (available on their website). If your reactor is the downdraft version as well consider using larger rather than the fine media as the fine media compacts relatively fast and forces you to service the reactor a lot more often. If you want a 'simple' to do DIY job to make a pH probe holder for the top of your reactor just ask and I'll show you pictures and a step by step on how I did mine.
__________________
"We shall dive down through black abysses... and in that lair of the Deep Ones we shall dwell amidst wonder and glory forever." - H.P. Lovecraft Old 120gal Tank Journal New 225gal Tank Journal May 2010 TOTM The 10th Annual Prince George Reef Tank Tour
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#5
10-17-2008, 03:16 PM
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I bought that same PM reactor package last weekend for 300 (thank you craigslist) and I know NOTHING about ca reactors but was able to set up and dial mine in witin 5 days....
My tank is only about 100 gallons total water volume though. Pm reactor seems to be very well built, eheim pump and all.
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