Calcium Reactor recommendations

michika · #1 07-02-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhody605

Not meaning to hijack or anything but how does a person determine if their reactor is becoming too small for the demand? By max flow in reactor with matched co2?

When it can't keep up on demand, usually you see a lot of spikes in your levels, or there is the PITA side of things where you're having to resupply then dial back in your reactor endlessly.

I love reactors, and I'd still be running one however given my tank size, 550g, I struggle to find appropriately sized equipment and further to that I find media is hard to find, really hard. In a way reactors have been eclipsed by dosing, the new popular technology, and as such retailers don't carry as consistent or readily avilable supply as they used to say 5 years ago.

However, if you can find the right equipment and media go for it. Its a great investment, easy to dial in, minimal fuss to work with, and I found was a key factor in my past clam and SPS success.

Bblinks · #2 07-02-2013, 09:08 PM

Dom, I know geo makes a good reactor but its not the cheapest. IME the basics of a calcium ractor is all the same but the few key factor you need to look out for while shopping for a reactor, at least for me is the ease of filling it. I personally hate thumb screws, large opening is always better. Second is a ph probe, I don't count bubbles so I rely on the probe to adjust the level of CO2 going in. Third will be the reverse flow or upflow design which uses less CO2. The last is replacement parts, every thing has a limited life to it so if you can't find replacement then I wouldn't buy it.

rynoe · #3 07-02-2013, 10:08 PM

I'm running a Schuran jet stream 1 and love it.

daplatapus · #4 07-03-2013, 01:16 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. Anyone know why Vertex isn't re-suppying their vendors? Why J&L isn't selling then anymore on line? Are they making upgrades to their units???

apexifd · #5 07-03-2013, 01:38 AM

Vertex is suppose to come up with a new design of the ca reactor.

Rice Reef · #6 07-03-2013, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apexifd

Vertex is suppose to come up with a new design of the ca reactor.

+1

I'm gonna wait for it... Hopefully some time before 2020

daplatapus · #7 07-03-2013, 03:46 AM

Ya, if something new is on the horizon I'll likely wait as well. My curiosity was really piqued by the RLSS CM6 with a DC pump but no ETA on it either...