Calcium reactor w/o Kalk Reactor "Recommended?"

ashish · 04/01/2013, 07:32 PM

So I see all these great big SPS aquariums that maintain the cal/alk demands with a calcium reactor along with kalk stir. I really hate using more electric outlets and space if I don't need to so I am still kind of debating on a calcium reactor or dosing pump (leaning on the dosing pump as of now).
My main question is: can you use a calcium reactor successful without the need of a kalk reactor. Even after you have a stocked tank with SPS can PH be maintained with a PH buffer?

I have heard a lot of stories regarding Kalk reactor that I rather avoid them. Simplicity is key for me and I rather sacrifice some stability for the sake of my corals. This is my thought process regarding Cal/Kalk reactor right now (let me know if I am wrong)...I add a calcium reactor dial it in, monitor the PH.. If my PH becomes hard to maintain overtime, then I add a kalk reactor. The doser on the other hand seems more easy since It requires less space and has less room for error. Once dialed in just check the parameters every week and note changes with calcium/alk consumption.

General rule is a large tank with large Calcium demands go with a calcium reactor with kalk reactor. Smaller tank with less demands go with either a calcium reactor or dosing pump. The less crowded a tank is the less likely a kalk reactor will be needed as there won't be as much demand on my calcium reactor in relation to my tank size (120 gallon). Everyone's tank is different and some things that work on one tank may not work on anothers. I feel
because of my space constraints I should go with a bubble magnus dosing pump. I have maintained my parameters by dosing my Make-up water with exact cal/alk consumption for my tank with great success. My tank is in a business so I am not the only one dosing. I do plan on setting up a 2nd tank (300) later this year (in my home) so would like as much good advice as possible since I will no longer have help. thank you

jimmy frag · 04/01/2013, 07:57 PM

i use both, the calcium reactor "for me" was set n forget. i dont go by ph, i set it over time by alk levels in the tank. ph takes care of its self in the tank, co2 will disolve the media regardless of the ph with in reason. kalk i also use on another set up, added to top up regulated by a float (vinegar added to control ph) works as well as a reactor. for your office system i would use a calcium reactor, set n forget. i wouldnt want anyone playing with kalk around my tank but me.

ashish · 04/01/2013, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy frag

i use both, the calcium reactor "for me" was set n forget. i dont go by ph, i set it over time by alk levels in the tank. ph takes care of its self in the tank, co2 will disolve the media regardless of the ph with in reason. kalk i also use on another set up, added to top up regulated by a float (vinegar added to control ph) works as well as a reactor. for your office system i would use a calcium reactor, set n forget. i wouldnt want anyone playing with kalk around my tank but me.

thank you...

lets say you got rid of your Kalk reactor!!!..Maybe increased your calcium reactor.. Do you think your calcium reactor could maintain your parameters alone without lowering your pH? I have heard to many stories regarding Kalk reactors wiping out there tanks. This is why I am so curious to see why people still use them religiously. In my situation this could be catastropic since i leave for days sometimes weeks.

Sk8r · 04/01/2013, 11:00 PM

I've never heard of a kalk reactor taking out a tank---but I have heard of calcium reactor runaways damaging a tank.
In general, kalk doesn't need a reactor, just add it to your topoff reservoir, stir once, and that's it, but it only works for 70 gallons or less. A calcium reactor is for larger reefs. Some very large reefs use both.

dml931 · 04/02/2013, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

In general, kalk doesn't need a reactor, just add it to your topoff reservoir, stir once, and that's it, but it only works for 70 gallons or less. A calcium reactor is for larger reefs. Some very large reefs use both.

This is the method i use for my 75g mixed reef with a 30L sump at about 70% full (kalk in my ATO). should i be using a reactor instead? Why only up to 70g systems for kalk? i've read other success stories using kalk and with a greater volume than 70g. I'm not debating here, just curious as to what your reasons are to make this claim. the scientific proof so to speak. your advise is usually strong, so im expecting you have your reasons, but im just curious as to what they are.

jimmy frag · 04/02/2013, 06:00 AM

i have never had a problem with maintaining alk levels in a 400 gallon system with a RX6 dual calcium reactor that has been fully stocked with 600 plus sps. once you get the hang of whats happening and how to adjust your co2 reactor you will never want anything elce. for Kalk addition yes it could wip out your hole system quite easily when too many hands are touching stuff. you could send Ph through the roof quite easily and kill your live stock. when mixing kalk though, it has a point of saturation so adding to much to the mix isnt an issue, its adding the mix too quickly to the tank can be the problem. but again once you get the hang of mixing and adding kalk its a great way to maintain alk

ashish · 04/04/2013, 08:22 PM

A calcium reactor is so appealing to me. I have 5 CO2 tanks laying around..they are for keg tap in my bar. These will work right for calcium reactors? Just buy the regulator, reactor, media,?

ashish · 04/04/2013, 08:23 PM

Koralia calcium reactors...Are they really the best in terms of maintaining calcium alk without effecting PH?

jimmy frag · 04/04/2013, 09:01 PM

yes those co2 bottles will/are the same. i wouldnt say the Koralia calcium reactors are the best by any means. but they all do the same thing. the ph in the reactor drops to below 7 to melt the media in turn providing alk and cal. dont be concerned with the ph. just dial in with alk. you will see.

04/01/2013, 07:32 PM	#1
ashish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bridgewater NJ Posts: 500	Calcium reactor w/o Kalk Reactor "Recommended?" So I see all these great big SPS aquariums that maintain the cal/alk demands with a calcium reactor along with kalk stir. I really hate using more electric outlets and space if I don't need to so I am still kind of debating on a calcium reactor or dosing pump (leaning on the dosing pump as of now). My main question is: can you use a calcium reactor successful without the need of a kalk reactor. Even after you have a stocked tank with SPS can PH be maintained with a PH buffer? I have heard a lot of stories regarding Kalk reactor that I rather avoid them. Simplicity is key for me and I rather sacrifice some stability for the sake of my corals. This is my thought process regarding Cal/Kalk reactor right now (let me know if I am wrong)...I add a calcium reactor dial it in, monitor the PH.. If my PH becomes hard to maintain overtime, then I add a kalk reactor. The doser on the other hand seems more easy since It requires less space and has less room for error. Once dialed in just check the parameters every week and note changes with calcium/alk consumption. General rule is a large tank with large Calcium demands go with a calcium reactor with kalk reactor. Smaller tank with less demands go with either a calcium reactor or dosing pump. The less crowded a tank is the less likely a kalk reactor will be needed as there won't be as much demand on my calcium reactor in relation to my tank size (120 gallon). Everyone's tank is different and some things that work on one tank may not work on anothers. I feel because of my space constraints I should go with a bubble magnus dosing pump. I have maintained my parameters by dosing my Make-up water with exact cal/alk consumption for my tank with great success. My tank is in a business so I am not the only one dosing. I do plan on setting up a 2nd tank (300) later this year (in my home) so would like as much good advice as possible since I will no longer have help. thank you

04/01/2013, 11:00 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I've never heard of a kalk reactor taking out a tank---but I have heard of calcium reactor runaways damaging a tank. In general, kalk doesn't need a reactor, just add it to your topoff reservoir, stir once, and that's it, but it only works for 70 gallons or less. A calcium reactor is for larger reefs. Some very large reefs use both. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/01/2013, 07:57 PM	#2
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	i use both, the calcium reactor "for me" was set n forget. i dont go by ph, i set it over time by alk levels in the tank. ph takes care of its self in the tank, co2 will disolve the media regardless of the ph with in reason. kalk i also use on another set up, added to top up regulated by a float (vinegar added to control ph) works as well as a reactor. for your office system i would use a calcium reactor, set n forget. i wouldnt want anyone playing with kalk around my tank but me.

04/02/2013, 06:00 AM	#6
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	i have never had a problem with maintaining alk levels in a 400 gallon system with a RX6 dual calcium reactor that has been fully stocked with 600 plus sps. once you get the hang of whats happening and how to adjust your co2 reactor you will never want anything elce. for Kalk addition yes it could wip out your hole system quite easily when too many hands are touching stuff. you could send Ph through the roof quite easily and kill your live stock. when mixing kalk though, it has a point of saturation so adding to much to the mix isnt an issue, its adding the mix too quickly to the tank can be the problem. but again once you get the hang of mixing and adding kalk its a great way to maintain alk

04/04/2013, 08:22 PM	#7
ashish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bridgewater NJ Posts: 500	A calcium reactor is so appealing to me. I have 5 CO2 tanks laying around..they are for keg tap in my bar. These will work right for calcium reactors? Just buy the regulator, reactor, media,?

04/04/2013, 08:23 PM	#8
ashish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bridgewater NJ Posts: 500	Koralia calcium reactors...Are they really the best in terms of maintaining calcium alk without effecting PH?

04/04/2013, 09:01 PM	#9
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	yes those co2 bottles will/are the same. i wouldnt say the Koralia calcium reactors are the best by any means. but they all do the same thing. the ph in the reactor drops to below 7 to melt the media in turn providing alk and cal. dont be concerned with the ph. just dial in with alk. you will see.