Dosing Pump vs. Calcium Reactor

BrooksReef · 05/05/2013, 02:12 PM

The question lyes in the title! I am so torn with which one I should use and incorporate into my reef. The Calcium Reactor is actually a piece I already possess. I just don't have the regulator, or CO2 tank. The downside with that is there isn't that much room in my tank, and I know these silly things can be very tricky to set up. BUT, everyone tells me a reactor is the way to go, and looking at everyone's amazing tanks on here, most seem to be using a reactor as well!

Any opinions are VERY much appreciated!

Brooks

BrooksReef · 05/05/2013, 06:53 PM

Anyone o.O?

James77 · 05/05/2013, 06:57 PM

Either one will work. I can say that what makes a calcium reactor easy to dial in is a quality regulator and consistent flow. An AquariumPLants carbon doser regulator is reasonable enough and rock sold. I also use a continuous duty peristaltic pump to control the effluent, and my reactor has been rock solid. That said, I also miss the 2 part dosing for its precision and less bulky equipment, electric use and maintenance.

You can have successful tanks of any level with either one.

BrooksReef · 05/06/2013, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

Either one will work. I can say that what makes a calcium reactor easy to dial in is a quality regulator and consistent flow. An AquariumPLants carbon doser regulator is reasonable enough and rock sold. I also use a continuous duty peristaltic pump to control the effluent, and my reactor has been rock solid. That said, I also miss the 2 part dosing for its precision and less bulky equipment, electric use and maintenance.

You can have successful tanks of any level with either one.

Thank you for the reply! I am leaning more towards dosing pumps, at the moment. I am wondering, however, how to mix a solution to dose accurately?

SGT_York · 05/06/2013, 08:49 AM

mixing??? no mixing involved please clarify?

Any thoughts on kalk? Much easier than both other options, with limitations.

shifty51008 · 05/06/2013, 09:04 AM

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

there is a good read on how to make your own, you can also buy the stuff from bulkreefsupply

BrooksReef · 05/06/2013, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGT_York

mixing??? no mixing involved please clarify?

Any thoughts on kalk? Much easier than both other options, with limitations.

I meant like, mixing a calcium solution. Like, adding water to calcium to dilute it, so you can add calcium that isn't concentrated. Does that make sense?

05/05/2013, 02:12 PM	#1
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Dosing Pump vs. Calcium Reactor The question lyes in the title! I am so torn with which one I should use and incorporate into my reef. The Calcium Reactor is actually a piece I already possess. I just don't have the regulator, or CO2 tank. The downside with that is there isn't that much room in my tank, and I know these silly things can be very tricky to set up. BUT, everyone tells me a reactor is the way to go, and looking at everyone's amazing tanks on here, most seem to be using a reactor as well! Any opinions are VERY much appreciated! Brooks

05/05/2013, 06:57 PM	#3
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Either one will work. I can say that what makes a calcium reactor easy to dial in is a quality regulator and consistent flow. An AquariumPLants carbon doser regulator is reasonable enough and rock sold. I also use a continuous duty peristaltic pump to control the effluent, and my reactor has been rock solid. That said, I also miss the 2 part dosing for its precision and less bulky equipment, electric use and maintenance. You can have successful tanks of any level with either one. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

05/06/2013, 09:04 AM	#6
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php there is a good read on how to make your own, you can also buy the stuff from bulkreefsupply __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

05/05/2013, 06:53 PM	#2
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Anyone o.O?

05/06/2013, 08:49 AM	#5
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	mixing??? no mixing involved please clarify? Any thoughts on kalk? Much easier than both other options, with limitations.