CO2 Reactor vs. Calcium Reactor

[Yarim]

Hey guys I need help choosing what would work best for our tank a Calcium Reactor vs. CO2 Reactor? We have a 110 acrylic with 250lbs of live rock, live sand, and ocean saltwater. The top is covered with acrylic slides that fit over the opening so we dont have water loss. I'm basicaly wondering which one would be more like steroids for our corals?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

By calcium reactor, you mean a limewater reactor?

I actually prefer dosing limewater from a still reservoir, not a reactor, but two part systems and CaCO3/CO2 reactors are also great ways to go.

This article may be useful:

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

[mixed_reefer]

As far as i know a c02 feed system is used for planted freshwater tanks.
A calcium reactor feeds c02 through a chamber filled with media, dissolving the media and replenishing the tanks alk and cal consumption through the dissolved media. It is able to dissolve the media in the chamber by using c02 to lower pH, once the ph inside the chamber reaches say 6.7, it will start to dissolve. Water loss in a reef tank is not a bad thing, if you shut the tank up tight you wont have much oxygen exchange, which you need.

[nismo driver]

i think you need to read more and better understand what your doing before worrying about what will have a steriod like effect on your tank.

i dont think its actualyl possile to not loose water from a system either through skimming or some other type of evaporation and i fail to see how that water loss is a negative thing if you are topping off as you should be?

there are just soo many things in this post that are fundamentlly wrong that should be adressed before entertaining your desire for creating what would essentially be an un-natural environment in an attempt to out perform more traditional tanks. not to mention no information regarding the current set up and stock in the tank has been provided. what if its SPS growth you desire or soft coral growth, they havedrasticalyl different requirements.

if you can provide the correct natural stable environment in your tank health corals will grow and spread at alarming rates.

[Yarim]

Well my tank is not shut tight it has covers and an area open for my thermometer and water flow. I guess by the time I do my water changes I just don't have real water loss.

[Yarim]

nismo driver

First of all, last time i checked, this website is to gain knowledge, which is what i am doing. Second, the steroid effect is in means of providing a more productive environment for ALL corals. Read the 2 posts above yours and you will see it applies to all corals. Third, My tank is as natural as it comes. Everything is from the ocean. Dont assume what you dont know. I am NOT trying to out-perform anyone, merely i am trying to KEEP A HEALTHY TANK, like everyone else. If you re-read the thread starter i posted, you will see that i listed 250lbs of live rock, live sand, and ocean saltwater. The equipment is 2 250W coralife 14K SE with 2 250W Icecap Ballasts. I will be supplementing with T-5. I have a wet/dry trickle system with sump that equals 60 gallons. I have 1/3 HP chiller, and fans for the lights. Livestock is as follows: I have small softies and stonies. 1 yellow angel, 1 lawnmower blenny, 2 gobies, 1 pigmy angel, 1 saddleback clown, 1 percula clown, 1 jewel damsel, 4 chromises, 1 lyretail anthias.

Randy Holmes-Farley
and
mixed_reefer

Thank you for your information. I will be sure to follow the links and make my decision.


If anyone wants to see the starter pics for further reference please follow this link

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.