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#1
10-22-2008, 04:46 AM
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I used a liquid additive called DKH plus for a while (can't remember the brand name, I bought it at Elite though). On a small tank like yours a bottle would last quite a while and as I recall it wasn't too expensive. Now I'm using baked baking soda but my tank is pretty big and also uses up a lot of alk, I'm dosing daily. The baking soda method is working out really good for me.
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#3
10-22-2008, 01:39 PM
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It appears the latest German trend is towards a 2 part mix and doseing pumps. It's sounds like a better set and forget method than a reactor but I'm sure the maintenance is a lot higher
J
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#4
10-22-2008, 01:43 PM
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Quote:
With this topic though, one really should know what the Ca/Alk consumption is, then decide how best to deal with it.
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Brad
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#5
10-22-2008, 03:41 PM
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I used Kent's 2-part "Tech CB" with good results. I don't think there's one "best" additive, though. I think many will work just as well as the other, as long as you're able to figure out how much/often/etc. to meet the needs of your tank.
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~Drew 10G Nano * 10G Sump * Deltec MCE 600 Skimmer * JBL Viper 150w MH * Zeovit * Vortech MP40W Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. ~S. Ertz 
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#6
10-22-2008, 04:31 PM
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in all fairness, I picked up a pm ca reactor package for 300 bucks...
Not to bad for the lowered daily maintenance and future savings on additives. I also have a schuran pico reactor package that I paid 250 for so if you don't mind going used, a ca reator may be more affordable than you think....
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#7
10-22-2008, 07:10 PM
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I have found that a good deal on 2-part chems is significantly cheaper then a calcium reactor. In fact the operating costs of a calcium reactor alone cost more then the 2-part dosing (if you get a good deal on the chems).
6 or 7 years ago I got a reactor cause I was tired of paying $25 for 1 Kg of calcium. It was cheaper to have a reactor back then. It is also easier to 2-part dose, less fiddling, less stuff to go wrong, etc..... If you think that all the parts on your calcium reactor will be trouble free for years you are wrong, maybe 5 or 6 years, but eventually you will have problems with your pump, fittings will get brittle, and your CO2 valves will have problems eventually as well. That being said.....................I use a calcium reactor, not for the cost, but for the fact that I don't have to add anything to my tank for well over a month. If you do want things like calcium and magnesium for a good deal, I am pretty sure there is a good vendor around here who sells them.  Just a side note, and something I may do on my next tank: -get one container of calcium mixed with water and one of baking soda mixed with water. -use a multi-head dosing pump to dose into your tank might be a simple cost effective way of eliminating maintenance. 
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250 BB Starphire SPS, clams, & zoos 3 x 250 DE, IC 660 W/T5s OM 4-way, Hammerhead Pump Calcium, Kalk, RO filters, magnesium, Excellent prices
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#8
10-23-2008, 05:58 AM
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Quote:
I'm refilling my reactor every 5 weeks or so with about 6lbs of media and I'm finding it a big pain in the butt
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#9
10-23-2008, 01:23 PM
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Marie, my comments were based on my old tank, my new one isn't growed up enough yet
 My reactor holds about 18 pounds of media, so I don't need to change it that often. I find the first annual change is just to remove the finer sludge, it tends to slow the flow after 4 or 5 months. Still, I never used a pound/week, even at it's peak of growth.
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Brad
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#10
10-23-2008, 02:45 PM
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I'm pretty sure most of my calcium goes to coraline algae. I have lots and lots of coraline algae
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