Ca or Nielsen reactor ?

Feerlaroc · 04/10/2006, 08:23 AM

I have just set up a 75 gal. SPS only tank & I am looking into Calcium reactors. I have read about Calcium & Nielsen reactors, and I am wondering if a Nielsen reactor would be able to keep up with the Ca demands of a fully stocked 75. Also are there any other advantages of Ca reactors over Nielsen reactors that I should know about ?

ScottyDon't · 04/10/2006, 10:19 AM

Nielsen reactor won't even come close to keeping up with the demands of an SPS tank. You'll need a calcium reactor or go the 2 part dosing route.

Feerlaroc · 04/10/2006, 08:51 PM

Thats exactly the kind of info I was looking for thanks !

143gadgets · 04/10/2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScottyDon't
Nielsen reactor won't even come close to keeping up with the demands of an SPS tank. You'll need a calcium reactor or go the 2 part dosing route.

Why? I am looking into getting either a neilson reactor or a calcium reactor and I am still undecided. Do u have more info on why it can't do it? I think that a nielson reactor could do it, but it also depends on your evaporation rate in the tank. The more you evaporate the more kalk you can dose. Of course it has its linits, but I think that it should be able to handle a 75 gallon tank.

ScottyDon't · 04/10/2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 143gadgets
Why? I am looking into getting either a neilson reactor or a calcium reactor and I am still undecided. Do u have more info on why it can't do it? I think that a nielson reactor could do it, but it also depends on your evaporation rate in the tank. The more you evaporate the more kalk you can dose. Of course it has its linits, but I think that it should be able to handle a 75 gallon tank.

If a kalk reactor was enough, no one would bother with expensive ca reactors... but you will find that most reefers have ca reactors. I currently just have a kalk reactor and it can't keep up... and I don't even have any sps or a whole lot of corals for that matter. I am currently dosing randy's 2 part to keep up with demand. I plan to get either a ca reactor or a dosing pump for the 2 part.

samsfishnchips · 04/10/2006, 11:16 PM

I would do a calc reactor and then if there is a need (want higher ph, ect) add a kalk reactor

and its funny how people think that a kalk reactor is so much cheaper than a calc reactor

people forget that a kalk reactor can kill the tank very easily, so when comparing the two all that has to be factor in and you will see that they actually would cost about the same,

sam

Feerlaroc · 04/11/2006, 08:30 AM

I appreciate all of your responses. I guess I should get a calcium reactor. Any reccomendations ?

samsfishnchips · 04/11/2006, 09:37 AM

Feerlaroc,

I like MRC, GEO, Pro calc, ect many good units

this one seems to be the best bang for the buck right now, new

reactor

239 with recirculating pump included,

seem many very happy with this unit,

so remember you need

feed pump
calcium reactor - recirculating pump
regulator - I like jbj, can be have for 75 at ebay
co2 tank

ph monitor/controller - optional

and look around your area, most likely you can find cheap parts near by,

good luck,

sam

Mogrash · 04/11/2006, 10:34 AM

And overdosing with CO2 can't kill your tank?

Dosing kalk can't keep up with demands of an almost sps less tank?

It really depends on how much evaporation you have as to whether a kalk reactor will work for you.

I run open tank so I get a ton of evaporation a day... I typically go through 20+ gallon of evaporation a week.

And people tend to go the calcium reactor route because there are a ton more options compared to kalkwasser reactors (commercial ones).

Or maybe because in a sense you only need a container, water, calcium hydroxide and a drip....why do that when you can spend 1000 dollars on a calcium reactor? Of course in the long run it's probably cheaper than doing the 2-part on a big tank..

Now having said that calcium reactors can provide some trace elements that kalkwasser can't supply (depending on the media you are dissolving).

I kind of think of it like a calcium reactor being an automated 2-part. A kalkwasser stirrer being an automated kalkwasser drip.

As has been well documented they both have their good and bad points. Read up on them....in the end you will likely find they both work well together.

Really, the better tanks I have seen seem to use both. Of course waterchanges used in conjunction with kalkwasser or 2-part can also provide everything the calcium reactor does but at the expense of less automation.

ONEMANBAND · 04/11/2006, 10:45 AM

If you are just setting up the system, I would suggest to wait till its been running awhile, just drip kalk. Till corals get large your tank should not have a huge demand (CA and ALK), and waterchanges will most likely keep up. Once the demand starts building then address the problem.

Feerlaroc · 04/13/2006, 08:11 PM

Thank you all. I think then the best route for now will be to keep dripping kalk as I am now, Also I am looking into Randy's 2-part because I have an auto top off system on the way & I think it might be easier to dose 2-part & just use the auto topoff for makeup water. Then on down the road if I cant keep up with calcium needs I will look at my options again then. Am I wrong in assuming that I will have to spend over $500 to get a good reactor, feed pump, regulator & Co2 tank ? I'll have to think about that as I just dropped 700 on my new lights. thanks again all for helping me, I really appreciate it - RC is my reef bible !

samsfishnchips · 04/13/2006, 08:31 PM

Feerlaroc good choice,

maybe down the road you would consider it, you are correct about 500 for a decent setup brand new, use for much cheaper, saw a nice setup with everything for about 299,

also have a friend that has a 120g sps and he doesn't mind the dosing, using randy's 2-part keeps up with the tank just fine, good luck with your setup,

sam

Feerlaroc · 04/17/2006, 07:28 AM

Thank you very much nunez1980 & all !

04/10/2006, 08:23 AM	#1
Feerlaroc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 116	Ca or Nielsen reactor ? I have just set up a 75 gal. SPS only tank & I am looking into Calcium reactors. I have read about Calcium & Nielsen reactors, and I am wondering if a Nielsen reactor would be able to keep up with the Ca demands of a fully stocked 75. Also are there any other advantages of Ca reactors over Nielsen reactors that I should know about ? __________________ ( \ / ) (O.o) ( >< ) /_\|_\ Copy the bunny into your signature to help him achieve world domination. Current Tank Info: 75 gal. mixed reef

04/10/2006, 10:19 AM	#2
ScottyDon't Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 128	Nielsen reactor won't even come close to keeping up with the demands of an SPS tank. You'll need a calcium reactor or go the 2 part dosing route. __________________ 90G, 25G sump/fuge 2 x Seio 820's, ER RS5-3 Tek T5 Fixture Pair of Ocellaris Clowns Softies and LPS, Crocea Clam

04/10/2006, 08:51 PM	#3
Feerlaroc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 116	Thats exactly the kind of info I was looking for thanks ! __________________ ( \ / ) (O.o) ( >< ) /_\|_\ Copy the bunny into your signature to help him achieve world domination. Current Tank Info: 75 gal. mixed reef

04/10/2006, 11:16 PM	#6
samsfishnchips Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,328	I would do a calc reactor and then if there is a need (want higher ph, ect) add a kalk reactor and its funny how people think that a kalk reactor is so much cheaper than a calc reactor people forget that a kalk reactor can kill the tank very easily, so when comparing the two all that has to be factor in and you will see that they actually would cost about the same, sam __________________ Every moment is a chance for happiness. Current Tank Info: 90G 99% SPS

04/11/2006, 08:30 AM	#7
Feerlaroc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 116	I appreciate all of your responses. I guess I should get a calcium reactor. Any reccomendations ? __________________ ( \ / ) (O.o) ( >< ) /_\|_\ Copy the bunny into your signature to help him achieve world domination. Current Tank Info: 75 gal. mixed reef

04/11/2006, 09:37 AM	#8
samsfishnchips Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,328	Feerlaroc, I like MRC, GEO, Pro calc, ect many good units this one seems to be the best bang for the buck right now, new reactor 239 with recirculating pump included, seem many very happy with this unit, so remember you need feed pump calcium reactor - recirculating pump regulator - I like jbj, can be have for 75 at ebay co2 tank ph monitor/controller - optional and look around your area, most likely you can find cheap parts near by, good luck, sam __________________ Every moment is a chance for happiness. Current Tank Info: 90G 99% SPS

04/11/2006, 10:34 AM	#9
Mogrash Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 212	And overdosing with CO2 can't kill your tank? Dosing kalk can't keep up with demands of an almost sps less tank? It really depends on how much evaporation you have as to whether a kalk reactor will work for you. I run open tank so I get a ton of evaporation a day... I typically go through 20+ gallon of evaporation a week. And people tend to go the calcium reactor route because there are a ton more options compared to kalkwasser reactors (commercial ones). Or maybe because in a sense you only need a container, water, calcium hydroxide and a drip....why do that when you can spend 1000 dollars on a calcium reactor? Of course in the long run it's probably cheaper than doing the 2-part on a big tank.. Now having said that calcium reactors can provide some trace elements that kalkwasser can't supply (depending on the media you are dissolving). I kind of think of it like a calcium reactor being an automated 2-part. A kalkwasser stirrer being an automated kalkwasser drip. As has been well documented they both have their good and bad points. Read up on them....in the end you will likely find they both work well together. Really, the better tanks I have seen seem to use both. Of course waterchanges used in conjunction with kalkwasser or 2-part can also provide everything the calcium reactor does but at the expense of less automation.

04/11/2006, 10:45 AM	#10
ONEMANBAND Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 726	If you are just setting up the system, I would suggest to wait till its been running awhile, just drip kalk. Till corals get large your tank should not have a huge demand (CA and ALK), and waterchanges will most likely keep up. Once the demand starts building then address the problem. __________________ At birth,Chuck Norris came out feet first so he could roundhouse kick the doctor in the face. NOBODY delivers Chuck Norris but Chuck Norris. Current Tank Info: 75 reef/100 aggressive

04/13/2006, 08:11 PM	#11
Feerlaroc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 116	Thank you all. I think then the best route for now will be to keep dripping kalk as I am now, Also I am looking into Randy's 2-part because I have an auto top off system on the way & I think it might be easier to dose 2-part & just use the auto topoff for makeup water. Then on down the road if I cant keep up with calcium needs I will look at my options again then. Am I wrong in assuming that I will have to spend over $500 to get a good reactor, feed pump, regulator & Co2 tank ? I'll have to think about that as I just dropped 700 on my new lights. thanks again all for helping me, I really appreciate it - RC is my reef bible ! __________________ ( \ / ) (O.o) ( >< ) /_\|_\ Copy the bunny into your signature to help him achieve world domination. Current Tank Info: 75 gal. mixed reef

04/13/2006, 08:31 PM	#12
samsfishnchips Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,328	Feerlaroc good choice, maybe down the road you would consider it, you are correct about 500 for a decent setup brand new, use for much cheaper, saw a nice setup with everything for about 299, also have a friend that has a 120g sps and he doesn't mind the dosing, using randy's 2-part keeps up with the tank just fine, good luck with your setup, sam __________________ Every moment is a chance for happiness. Current Tank Info: 90G 99% SPS

04/17/2006, 07:28 AM	#13
Feerlaroc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 116	Thank you very much nunez1980 & all ! __________________ ( \ / ) (O.o) ( >< ) /_\|_\ Copy the bunny into your signature to help him achieve world domination. Current Tank Info: 75 gal. mixed reef