CA reactor or Dosing?

[GMGQ]

Well I can get a triple pump doser with individual built in timers/displays for $170.

The controller turns off the CO2if the pH in the reactor gets too low.

Originally Posted by untamed

Bubble rate is not significant if you are using a controller for your co2.

Add a peristaltic pump to control flow to eliminate drip rate problems. Cheaper than adding three peristaltic pumps for dosing.

[e46er]

i bought a double dosing pump for about $310 bux after taxes
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=am-d370105
I never ran a reactor but i was stuck in the middle i had 30 pounds of dry dosing products and a full co2 set up front an old planted tank. the decision was made based on my already full stand with a 3 footsump and closed loop pump in a stand with an inside total length of 40 " so i was going to have something sitting outside the stand..........2-1G jugs or a co2 tank/regulator and a calcium reactor pump ect..........

i hung the pump unit in the stand and have 2-1G jugs that are between a chair and the stand so you barely notice them

I always found it was a severe pain in the ass for me to get my co2 tank filled as i work close to home and the closest/decent priced fill was 45 min in rush hour.

so i figured from my situation the reactor was uglyier noiser and more expensive to set up some people say set and forget some have to tinker none stop

dosing I throw some baking soda on a baking sheet bake for an hour fill a 1 g jug with the baking soda and water shake and im done calcium is measure and pour into jug and shake done.
im lazy so i throw it in a 5 G pail with a powerhead for a couple min to mix but shaking works as well.
I go through just over a pound of Ca and a pound of baking soda a month so costs for chemicals are under $5 a month and maybe 4 pounds Mag a year

i ordered dry chemicals 20 lbs at a time and shipping isnt too bad

[mark]

Originally Posted by GMGQ

Well I can get a triple pump doser with individual built in timers/displays for $170.

care to share where?

[GMGQ]

eBay

Originally Posted by mark

care to share where?

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by GMGQ

Well I can get a triple pump doser with individual built in timers/displays for $170.

Be careful here. Not all paristaltic pumps are created equal.

I've owned several peristaltic pumps including the aquamedic and spectrapure litermeter pumps. I can tell you that you get what you pay for. I would never dose with anything of lesser quality than a profilux.

Perhaps your problem is with your reactor. You already own the co2 hardware. Maybe you should just upgrade to a better reactor? Possibly add pH control?

I personally really like my vertex rx6 duo calcium reactor. I previously owned a Deltec which I paid more for and really didn't like. I guess you don't always get what you pay for

[Dez]

I've only every run a reactor and for me it's set and forget. I haven't tested anything in my tank in about half a year now and I run a full blown sps tank. I get good growth and I'm a relatively lazy reefer who doesn't do much for maintenance. I've never tried a doser so I can't compare. I just run the reactor with a steady stream coming out and control the ph within the reactor with my aquacontroller III. Hope this helps.