Which is better Schuran or Geo Reactor?

Ninja120 · 02/11/2007, 09:17 PM

I am looking to purchase a new calcium reactor, and wondering out of the two which would you pick. And why you chose one over the other.

Retzius · 02/12/2007, 02:45 AM

I am looking at the same reactors, but it seems there are more Geo users than Schuran users on this website.

I was thinking of using the Schuran pico because of its size.

gabe3d · 02/12/2007, 03:12 AM

I only can comment on the Schuran and the one thing i didn't like about it when i used one.

For you to get a consistent drip rate you will probably need some kind of doser to feed the skimmer.

Ninja120 · 02/12/2007, 02:12 PM

I saw some schuran user sayings it is a great reactor. I am sure there are some people who used both.

manderx · 02/12/2007, 02:22 PM

i think the schuran is a bad design. the whole bubble separator contraption is only there because co2 doesn't dissolve as well inside the schuran as it does in other reactors, resulting in lots of bubbles while it's running. a properly run reactor should not have any bubbles within the body making the whole co2-recirc issue moot. plus the geo recirc loop sucks water from the very top, so if there ever was a bubble it would get sucked into the recirc pump anyway. co2 doesn't dissolve as well in the schuran because they put the effluent valve on the inlet rather the outlet, so the body doesn't get pressurized. i guess they were too afraid it would leak. the geo is built well enough it won't leak unless you tee if off a massive return pump without some sort of pressure relief.

gasman059 · 02/12/2007, 02:46 PM

IMO GEO

hahnmeister · 02/12/2007, 03:42 PM

Deltec...lol. okay, just between those two? Id have to go GEO... due to one thing: parts. I heard someone had to sell a kidney to get a replacement part from schuran. For me, thats an automatic black-ball.

But Id still pick a deltec over either one.

TOURKID · 02/12/2007, 04:18 PM

geo!!!!!

from seeing an acrylic demonstration just the other day that he did, i can say he takes alot of time and is very precise in making his stuff. I now completely understand the price with this stuff and am suprised it isent even more lol

chadfarmer · 02/12/2007, 05:05 PM

I have used both

the schuran is a pain to get the air out of the unit-- but setup properly works great

the geo works great also -- it is easier to setup

Henry Bowman · 02/12/2007, 05:37 PM

What Hahn said. I contacted Aquarium obsessed regarding reactors (before I ended up buying a Geo) and Will said the schuran parts are very difficult to get and pricey...
Will also stated that the Schuran's are very efficient but somewhat difficult to dial in but once set, they are rock solid.

In the end, after all the research I purchased a Geo and have been happy with it...

FWIW

Retzius · 02/13/2007, 11:31 AM

Yeah, it looks like I might go with the GEO despite its relatively bigger size when compared to the schuran. I dont want to be messing with it and have issues. Also, price parts and trying to find them seems like they will be a pain in the arse.

Geo it is for me, thanks for the thread!

ErikS · 02/13/2007, 11:42 AM

Too late but...............I've DIY'd a few & the GEO is a fine unit. I've never used the Schuran but IMHO the GEO is a better design.

hahnmeister · 02/13/2007, 03:50 PM

Deltec...

McCrary · 02/13/2007, 04:15 PM

Hahn- What is so attractive about the Deltec compared to the GEO?

Nanook · 02/13/2007, 08:00 PM

I have not used the Schuran, but have heard issues with having to modify them to get them tweaked properly. The Geo reactor's are pretty much plug and play...they don't break down easily and getting parts or service from Geo is easy since he is here in the US. I have a basement full of Geo stuff.

hahnmeister · 02/13/2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TurboSnail8898
Hahn- What is so attractive about the Deltec compared to the GEO?

The performance. Most Ca reactors run all day and get an output of 40 dKH. The deltec fluidizes the media like a fluidized bed filter... Deltecs are known for having outputs in the 80-90dKH range. Many people who own deltecs dont even run them more than 8 hours a day.... kind of a benefit when you think about it. I just run mine 6 hours during the day... thats all. Those who have one, or have seen one in action know what Im talking about... they are the top performing skimmer on the market... bar none.

Ninja120 · 02/14/2007, 05:45 PM

wow it seems Geo has quite the name. Thanks for your guys help. If there is anything you would like to ad feel free, always willing to learn more!

wonk · 02/20/2007, 12:14 AM

I haven't touched my GEO in 3 months since I changed the media. My last alk measurement was the same as the last time I took it 6 weeks ago. My Geo calc reactor is the best piece of reef gear I own...

McCrary · 02/20/2007, 02:47 AM

Hahn- GEO reactors have reverse flow, with the larger media I haven't seen channeling normally associated with normal flow reactors using a smaller media. What is Deltec doing differently to get such high dKH? Is the media allowing higher dKH, it would seem that higher dKH would be associated with a faster dissolving media, is this wrong?

hahnmeister · 02/20/2007, 02:53 AM

2 things... the media is one, but its mostly designed to not break up into little bits as much from being jumbled around. The main thing is tha the deltecs fluidize the entire media chamber... so the surface area/gas interaction is very very good.

02/11/2007, 09:17 PM	#1
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	Which is better Schuran or Geo Reactor? I am looking to purchase a new calcium reactor, and wondering out of the two which would you pick. And why you chose one over the other.

02/12/2007, 02:46 PM	#6
gasman059 The OG mad scientist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SOFLA Posts: 10,308	IMO GEO __________________ There's a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness". 1985-present Current Tank Info: Officially lurking!

02/12/2007, 04:18 PM	#8
TOURKID Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vegas baby, Vegas Posts: 4,371	geo!!!!! from seeing an acrylic demonstration just the other day that he did, i can say he takes alot of time and is very precise in making his stuff. I now completely understand the price with this stuff and am suprised it isent even more lol __________________ RISK more than others think is safe CARE more than others think is wise DREAM more than others think is practical EXPECT more than others think is possible Current Tank Info: nada

02/12/2007, 05:05 PM	#9
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	I have used both the schuran is a pain to get the air out of the unit-- but setup properly works great the geo works great also -- it is easier to setup __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

02/12/2007, 05:37 PM	#10
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	What Hahn said. I contacted Aquarium obsessed regarding reactors (before I ended up buying a Geo) and Will said the schuran parts are very difficult to get and pricey... Will also stated that the Schuran's are very efficient but somewhat difficult to dial in but once set, they are rock solid. In the end, after all the research I purchased a Geo and have been happy with it... FWIW __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

02/12/2007, 02:45 AM	#2
Retzius Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 326	I am looking at the same reactors, but it seems there are more Geo users than Schuran users on this website. I was thinking of using the Schuran pico because of its size.

02/12/2007, 03:12 AM	#3
gabe3d Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Elk Grove/Sunnyvale/Shibuya Posts: 1,605	I only can comment on the Schuran and the one thing i didn't like about it when i used one. For you to get a consistent drip rate you will probably need some kind of doser to feed the skimmer.

02/12/2007, 02:12 PM	#4
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	I saw some schuran user sayings it is a great reactor. I am sure there are some people who used both.

02/12/2007, 02:22 PM	#5
manderx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 4,893	i think the schuran is a bad design. the whole bubble separator contraption is only there because co2 doesn't dissolve as well inside the schuran as it does in other reactors, resulting in lots of bubbles while it's running. a properly run reactor should not have any bubbles within the body making the whole co2-recirc issue moot. plus the geo recirc loop sucks water from the very top, so if there ever was a bubble it would get sucked into the recirc pump anyway. co2 doesn't dissolve as well in the schuran because they put the effluent valve on the inlet rather the outlet, so the body doesn't get pressurized. i guess they were too afraid it would leak. the geo is built well enough it won't leak unless you tee if off a massive return pump without some sort of pressure relief.

02/12/2007, 03:42 PM	#7
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Deltec...lol. okay, just between those two? Id have to go GEO... due to one thing: parts. I heard someone had to sell a kidney to get a replacement part from schuran. For me, thats an automatic black-ball. But Id still pick a deltec over either one.

02/13/2007, 11:31 AM	#11
Retzius Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 326	Yeah, it looks like I might go with the GEO despite its relatively bigger size when compared to the schuran. I dont want to be messing with it and have issues. Also, price parts and trying to find them seems like they will be a pain in the arse. Geo it is for me, thanks for the thread!

02/13/2007, 11:42 AM	#12
ErikS Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: VA Posts: 2,199	Too late but...............I've DIY'd a few & the GEO is a fine unit. I've never used the Schuran but IMHO the GEO is a better design. __________________ It's just my opinion & it's worth exactly what you paid for it

02/13/2007, 03:50 PM	#13
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Deltec...

02/13/2007, 04:15 PM	#14
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Hahn- What is so attractive about the Deltec compared to the GEO? __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

02/13/2007, 08:00 PM	#15
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	I have not used the Schuran, but have heard issues with having to modify them to get them tweaked properly. The Geo reactor's are pretty much plug and play...they don't break down easily and getting parts or service from Geo is easy since he is here in the US. I have a basement full of Geo stuff. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

02/14/2007, 05:45 PM	#17
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	wow it seems Geo has quite the name. Thanks for your guys help. If there is anything you would like to ad feel free, always willing to learn more!

02/20/2007, 12:14 AM	#18
wonk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 256	I haven't touched my GEO in 3 months since I changed the media. My last alk measurement was the same as the last time I took it 6 weeks ago. My Geo calc reactor is the best piece of reef gear I own...

02/20/2007, 02:47 AM	#19
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Hahn- GEO reactors have reverse flow, with the larger media I haven't seen channeling normally associated with normal flow reactors using a smaller media. What is Deltec doing differently to get such high dKH? Is the media allowing higher dKH, it would seem that higher dKH would be associated with a faster dissolving media, is this wrong? __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

02/20/2007, 02:53 AM	#20
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	2 things... the media is one, but its mostly designed to not break up into little bits as much from being jumbled around. The main thing is tha the deltecs fluidize the entire media chamber... so the surface area/gas interaction is very very good.