calcium reactor questions

[Lampshade]

They seem to be an odd ball item, hard to find, i got it off a shutdown on craigslist. I recently replaced the impeller and ended up having to go to tunze to get it. I have lots of room under my tank, I'd be up for a trade if you end up finding an external that's comparable. Just an option, this is working fine for me now, but if you decide you want it and can't find one let me know.

[Myka]

If you are just planning soft corals (don't confuse LPS as soft corals, such as frogspawn...it is a hard coral) then you don't need to worry about dosing or using a calcium reactor. Especially when you first start up your tank the demand will be very low. You will be able to keep up just by doing water changes. Be sure to test your freshly mixed up (for 24 hours) saltwater for calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium and dose the newly mixed up saltwater if needed. No point in adding water to the tank that's low in one of the parameters, right? If you proceed like this, and do 10-15% water changes every week you will be able to keep the parameters stable for the first while.

Having said that, I would suggest dosing pumps instead of a calcium reactor. They take up a bit less space. I use the Drew's Dosers from www.bulkreefsupply.com with digital timers I bought at the hardware store. I just use them for calcium and alkalinity, the magnesium stays steady with water changes. Calcium reactors use CO2 which will lower the pH in the tank a bit. Calcium reactors are also big, bulky, and ugly I think! Dosers are way cooler looking, and they are easier to fine tune.

[rickwaines]

Originally Posted by Myka

If you are just planning soft corals (don't confuse LPS as soft corals, such as frogspawn...it is a hard coral) then you don't need to worry about dosing or using a calcium reactor. Especially when you first start up your tank the demand will be very low. You will be able to keep up just by doing water changes. Be sure to test your freshly mixed up (for 24 hours) saltwater for calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium and dose the newly mixed up saltwater if needed. No point in adding water to the tank that's low in one of the parameters, right? If you proceed like this, and do 10-15% water changes every week you will be able to keep the parameters stable for the first while.

Having said that, I would suggest dosing pumps instead of a calcium reactor. They take up a bit less space. I use the Drew's Dosers from www.bulkreefsupply.com with digital timers I bought at the hardware store. I just use them for calcium and alkalinity, the magnesium stays steady with water changes. Calcium reactors use CO2 which will lower the pH in the tank a bit. Calcium reactors are also big, bulky, and ugly I think! Dosers are way cooler looking, and they are easier to fine tune.

This is the kinda info I am so fortunate to bump into here. I was wondering about dosing vrs reactor. And I am still sorting out the abbreviations as well. Still sorting out what I want to keep and what it is called.
Thanks All!

Rick

[Myka]

Abbreviations like LPS, SPS, and softie?

Softie - if it dies there is nothing left. Things like colts, nephthea, leathers, Zoanthids, mushrooms, etc.

LPS - Large Polyped Stony. Almost always a fleshy coral, but leaves behind a skeleton if it dies. Includes brains, donuts, Acans, torch, frogspawn, hammer, elegance, Candy Cane, etc.

SPS - Small Polyped Stony. Almost always the "stick" corals. Acros, Birdnest, Monti caps, Monti digis, Pocci, Stylo, etc.

[abcha0s]

I agree with all that's been said. There are pros and cons of both systems. I'd just like to clarify one thing. My calcium reactor does not affect my pH at all. I track my pH with a controller and there is no noticeable difference between when it is running vs. when it is not. I know others have raised this concern, but for me it has been a non issue.

- Brad

[mark]

switched from a reactor to doser and though both were set and forgot, the dosing pump is easier.

about the only thing I've seen of a reactor being better is they'll add trace elements (since media is crushed coral) and cheaper overall with large systems (here).