help buying a calcium reator

tony45power · 07/14/2008, 07:12 PM

i want to get a calcium reactor i am just clueless on how they work? i am getting into a reef tank now. i have a phosphate reactor and i have a mrc mr2 skimmer. i will have a 180 tank with a 90 gallon sump and refugium setup. some tips would be help ful. i seen some guy selling a setup for 100 bucks but i need a bubble something and co2? why and what does all this do?how do they work?why the co2?

Bruno3047 · 07/14/2008, 08:22 PM

The CO2 is injected into a reactor tube where it mixes with tank water. The resulting solution will have a very low pH, with the target being 6.4-6.8. This low pH solution is recirculated inside of the reactor that also contains a buffering substance e.g. aragonite or crushed coral.

The low pH solution dissolves the buffering material, adding calcium and trace elements to the water. This is beneficial for SPS and LPS growth, as well as coralline algae and inverts requiring a high calcium environment to thrive.

You can read up more here:

http://www.peteducation.com/article....articleid=2979

tony45power · 07/15/2008, 08:04 PM

thanks bruno! are the co2 tanks expensive?

Bruno3047 · 07/15/2008, 09:11 PM

Here's a couple of links to CO2 supplies:

http://co2-canisters.com/index1.html...FSaiiQodUTalEw

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draft...anks/co2.shtml

suasponte2/75 · 07/15/2008, 09:14 PM

I just get mine (20lb tank) at the local AIRGAS for like $30-40 a recharge (it's like you're renting the tank) and exchange it when empty. No need to own a tank IMO unless you're wanting to display your co2 tank (who does that?). It lasts about a year.

When I first started, I thought I needed to buy the tank and got a super duper slicky boy aluminum tank for like $75. Then found out it was like $20 to fill each time and needed to be hydro tested every few years as well. It was only like a 10lb tank and needed to be filled every 5-6 months. Also, only a few place in our area were willing to fill it up for some reason (liability issues?). That got old so I asked the LFS where he got his FUGLY tank and that's how I found out about AIRGAS.

HTHs,

Minh

suasponte2/75 · 07/15/2008, 09:20 PM

You can look here to see where the closest store may be:

http://www.airgas.com/customer_servi...e_locator.aspx

Bruno3047 · 07/15/2008, 09:22 PM

I'll have to check my nieghborhood for an AIRGAS!!!

Thanks!!!

07/14/2008, 07:12 PM	#1
tony45power Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: islip ny longisland Posts: 401	help buying a calcium reator i want to get a calcium reactor i am just clueless on how they work? i am getting into a reef tank now. i have a phosphate reactor and i have a mrc mr2 skimmer. i will have a 180 tank with a 90 gallon sump and refugium setup. some tips would be help ful. i seen some guy selling a setup for 100 bucks but i need a bubble something and co2? why and what does all this do?how do they work?why the co2?

07/14/2008, 08:22 PM	#2
Bruno3047 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,018	The CO2 is injected into a reactor tube where it mixes with tank water. The resulting solution will have a very low pH, with the target being 6.4-6.8. This low pH solution is recirculated inside of the reactor that also contains a buffering substance e.g. aragonite or crushed coral. The low pH solution dissolves the buffering material, adding calcium and trace elements to the water. This is beneficial for SPS and LPS growth, as well as coralline algae and inverts requiring a high calcium environment to thrive. You can read up more here: http://www.peteducation.com/article....articleid=2979

07/15/2008, 08:04 PM	#3
tony45power Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: islip ny longisland Posts: 401	thanks bruno! are the co2 tanks expensive?

07/15/2008, 09:11 PM	#4
Bruno3047 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,018	Here's a couple of links to CO2 supplies: http://co2-canisters.com/index1.html...FSaiiQodUTalEw http://www.beveragefactory.com/draft...anks/co2.shtml

07/15/2008, 09:14 PM	#5
suasponte2/75 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Bay Area (Fremont, CA) Posts: 514	I just get mine (20lb tank) at the local AIRGAS for like $30-40 a recharge (it's like you're renting the tank) and exchange it when empty. No need to own a tank IMO unless you're wanting to display your co2 tank (who does that?). It lasts about a year. When I first started, I thought I needed to buy the tank and got a super duper slicky boy aluminum tank for like $75. Then found out it was like $20 to fill each time and needed to be hydro tested every few years as well. It was only like a 10lb tank and needed to be filled every 5-6 months. Also, only a few place in our area were willing to fill it up for some reason (liability issues?). That got old so I asked the LFS where he got his FUGLY tank and that's how I found out about AIRGAS. HTHs, Minh

07/15/2008, 09:20 PM	#6
suasponte2/75 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Bay Area (Fremont, CA) Posts: 514	You can look here to see where the closest store may be: http://www.airgas.com/customer_servi...e_locator.aspx

07/15/2008, 09:22 PM	#7
Bruno3047 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,018	I'll have to check my nieghborhood for an AIRGAS!!! Thanks!!!