kalk reactor vs calcium reactor

scott11 · 05/22/2009, 05:01 PM

if a tank has constant calcium readings, but fluctuating alk- which equipment would solve this problem better?

Please respond only about the effectiveness of solving the problem, not the cost, ease of use, ph considerations etc.

Ehaze · 05/22/2009, 07:48 PM

both really, you can only dose so much kalc before you ph has gone too high, and calc reactor you would just have to adjust the the flow of the co2 and effluent.

chadfarmer · 05/23/2009, 10:01 AM

manually dosing

both will increase calium but the kalk will not add magnesium

chadfarmer · 05/23/2009, 10:01 AM

manually dosing

both will increase calcium but the kalk will not add magnesium

sjm817 · 05/23/2009, 10:37 AM

Calcium and alk both need to be added and both will do that. Fluctuating alk and steady ca is kind of a mirage. They both fluctuate at an equal ratio, but the alk is more noticeable because of the scale.

I struggle with low PH so using Kalk ATO is a real benefit. A ca rx lowers PH which would not work for me.

dan223 · 05/23/2009, 10:06 PM

why not just dose alk by using calcium carbonate with a dosing pump, set the time and you control exactly how much you put in, not guessing and readjusting. then if your calcium starts to drop you could add the other 2 part ingredient.
once you level out your kh chances are your cal with start to drop, when the 2 are not balanced calcium uptake can go down.

wrott · 05/23/2009, 11:23 PM

I believe you should have both reactors ideally.
I have just a Ca reactor currently, but my pH is 7.9-8.2.
A Ca reactor will supply a balanced amount of alk+Ca by adjusting BPS of CO2 and the effluent flow rate. It just needs to be dialed in, and levels can be supplimented periodically and with WCs.
I'm looking for a Kalk reactor now to increase pH to 8.0-8.3, but I 've had no issues of lack of SPS growth due to low pH, but I'm sure my tank will be much healthier with increased pH.

05/22/2009, 05:01 PM	#1
scott11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 1,960	kalk reactor vs calcium reactor if a tank has constant calcium readings, but fluctuating alk- which equipment would solve this problem better? Please respond only about the effectiveness of solving the problem, not the cost, ease of use, ph considerations etc.

05/22/2009, 07:48 PM	#2
Ehaze Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,259	both really, you can only dose so much kalc before you ph has gone too high, and calc reactor you would just have to adjust the the flow of the co2 and effluent. __________________ 75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.

05/23/2009, 10:01 AM	#3
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	manually dosing both will increase calium but the kalk will not add magnesium __________________ 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

05/23/2009, 10:01 AM	#4
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	manually dosing both will increase calcium but the kalk will not add magnesium __________________ 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

05/23/2009, 10:37 AM	#5
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Calcium and alk both need to be added and both will do that. Fluctuating alk and steady ca is kind of a mirage. They both fluctuate at an equal ratio, but the alk is more noticeable because of the scale. I struggle with low PH so using Kalk ATO is a real benefit. A ca rx lowers PH which would not work for me. __________________ - Scott

05/23/2009, 10:06 PM	#6
dan223 Custom User Title Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WI Posts: 675	why not just dose alk by using calcium carbonate with a dosing pump, set the time and you control exactly how much you put in, not guessing and readjusting. then if your calcium starts to drop you could add the other 2 part ingredient. once you level out your kh chances are your cal with start to drop, when the 2 are not balanced calcium uptake can go down.

05/23/2009, 11:23 PM	#7
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	I believe you should have both reactors ideally. I have just a Ca reactor currently, but my pH is 7.9-8.2. A Ca reactor will supply a balanced amount of alk+Ca by adjusting BPS of CO2 and the effluent flow rate. It just needs to be dialed in, and levels can be supplimented periodically and with WCs. I'm looking for a Kalk reactor now to increase pH to 8.0-8.3, but I 've had no issues of lack of SPS growth due to low pH, but I'm sure my tank will be much healthier with increased pH. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt