So it's 2010 now. Who still uses a calcium reactor and who's all on 2-part dosing?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by mark

Parker, been there, even the guy showing up short.

I had one show up and try offer me hot computer parts instead of the money we agreed on

Steve

[amoreira]

I have a Calcium Reactor....

Keeps my Alk and Ca at pretty stable and good levels (Alk 11 dkH and Ca about 400 mg/L). Mg is around 1300 mg/L too last time I checked.

I run water through it using a peristaltic pump. Pretty steady flow that doesn't clog. I used other pumps like the aqualifter vac. pump and it clogged and a powerhead, that had problems keeping the low flow rates.

I don't use pH control on the discharge to control the injection of CO2. I just used a timer on my system that opens the solenoid for about 10 min every hour with a good robust flow of bubbles.

I don't have problem with saltwater getting into the solenoid valve and ruining it. It's a good elevation above the reactor. Some does backflow into the CO2 line, but never gets to the valve.

My reactor has the circ. pump glued to everything. So if it ever craps out, I have to either saw it off - basicly ruining the unit. I hate when they don't design things for maintenance/replacement.

I refill the unit every 2-3 months with 5 lbs or so of aragonite coarse media. I refill the 20 lb CO2 cylinder (a rental) every 6 months. Corrosion of the cylinder is not a worry and if it fails I can sue the supplier LOL. I'm not worried about pressurized CO2 cylinder failure.