Help Me Decide... Calcium Reactor or Dose.

DanSreef

DanSreef

Premium member
Hi Everyone. Hopefully you have seen my 180 build over the last few months. The tank is doing awesome...I have a great selection of fish...and have been accumulating some nice SPS corals....with a couple of LPS as well. All is doing well and I am at the point of the build that I need to decide to start serious dosing or move to a calcium reactor.

My DT is 180 with a 100 gal rubber maid sump in the basement. With rock, sand and equipment I am guessing total volume to be around 220-230 gals. I am currently dosing BRS two part manually. My Alk is around 6.9 -7.5 and not consistent... My calcium ranges 390-425. The tank clearly is starting to consume a fair amount of alk and calcium.

I have about 35 plus frags,in the tank with the majority being SPS. My PH runs about 8.5 +/- .15. I run Gen3 Radions and have an awesome LifeReef Skimmer. I top off about 20 gals of RODI per week...automatically using a Tunze topoff. My Nitrates are zero and Phospates are 0 -.02.

I do a 30 gal water change every two weeks. You can see more of the tank in my build thread here, http://www.chicagoreefs.com/forums/showthread.php/23189-DansReef-New-180-Reef/page9


So... For all of you experienced with SPS tanks....With all the incredible tanks I see here on CR.... I would like some guidance on whether I should continue dosing and automate it with dosing pumps... or should I go to a calcium reactor. I know there is a huge cost differential... I am looking at a brand new calcium reactor from my friend Jeff at LifeReef which will just be shy of $1k...including tank, regulator...etc... Basically plug and play. All I need is a PH probe for the Apex. Other calcium reactors are about the same... Maybe +/- $100-150. I can get a decent dosing pump for a lot less...and automate it....etc....saving quite a bit of money. But I also need to dose trace elements....etc...

Let's here the opinions.... Pros and Cons... I need to make a decision in the next week or so...
 
Ca rx is best, goes by demand. My recent issue is alk overdose with my dosers. You just have to have an expert show u how to use it.


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ColaAddict said:
Ca rx is best, goes by demand. My recent issue is alk overdose with my dosers. You just have to have an expert show u how to use it.


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Click to expand...

Thanks Nino... I didn't even think about overdosing... I have heard people having issues with dosing and dosing pumps.... Of course, if I mess something up with a calcium reactor....that could cause a crash with PH and Alk... Perhaps not as big of an issue if controlling with an Apex as I plan to do.

What are other considerations.... I know there are people out here with some awesome tanks..... Let's here your thoughts.
 
I just use kalk in my ATO and plan to keep doing so until all of my frags are colonies. At that time, I'll start shopping for a cal reactor. I figure I have a year or so before that day comes. Until then, kalk is super cheap and easy.
 
I've used dosing pumps for years and only had one issue the hose popped off when the line I was dosing the kalk from and just dumped on the floor, but with that being said I'm going with a cal reactor this time around on the 120 , I'm hoping I really like it and hopefully the corals like it as well. So far working out well just need to test more often until it's dialed in the way I like it. I'm going to upgrade to the geo 612 so I can put it under the seat.
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Tom
 
imranh said:
Downside of the 2-part you're dosing now is that heavy dosing will gradually raise your salinity. I'd go with Ca reactor for the long term. Also, you can get new Ca reactor packages for well under $1k. For example: http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...2_Gas_Tank-AquaMaxx-UJ001681-FICRCPWO-vi.html

Good luck.
Click to expand...


Thanks.... I know I can get cheaper Calcium Reactors. I have a couple of things that I want that bump even this reactor up pretty close. I may kick myself saying this.... I would rather not buy something because it was a bit more expensive. I have purchased cheaper equipment in the past and paid dearly in the long run. I need to investigate this reactor more. Thanks for the input. I have heard that 2-part can add salinity....
 
It's been a little over 2 weeks and still playing around with it but everything is holding well as far as the parameters go , what I can say is try and do as much research as possible and when you think you got read everything again


Tom
 
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