Which calcium reactor and regulator?

[keh9qd]

Im about ready to order a calcium reactor for my heavily stocked sps system. Here are the 3 ive been reccomended to get:

1. Korallin
2. Geo
3. Vertex

I have an opportunity to get a used koralin (small one) from a local reefer for $150.

Which reactor is best? Why?

Lastly, which regulator is best?

[strittmatter]

I use a koralin and don't have any complaints.

The best regulator is from aquarium plants (.com)

People will have different opions on reactors but I think most will agree that, that regulator is the best.

[ZR1001]

Get the regulator from aquarium plants if you don't have a controller.

[keh9qd]

I run a reefkeeper elite, if i get the koralin reactor with eheim pump i know ill need the co2 regulator and bottle. What else will i need to buy?

[ZR1001]

Can you add a ph probe to the reactor?

[keh9qd]

Originally Posted by ZR1001

Can you add a ph probe to the reactor?

If Im not mistaken the koralin: no but the geo and vertex yes. I have heard the korallin is easier to use, but I know very little from experience.

[tkeracer619]

The "carbon doser" electronic regulator from aquariumplants.com is the best regulator.

[strittmatter]

I have added a PH probe to my Koralin, Just got a threaded ph prob holder and drilled and tapped the lid.

[ZR1001]

You don't need a fancy regulator if your calcium reactor has a dedicated ph probe because your controller will maintain the correct ph inside the reactor. However, if you don't have one, aquarium plants regulator will make your life a lot easier

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by ZR1001

You don't need a fancy regulator if your calcium reactor has a dedicated ph probe because your controller will maintain the correct ph inside the reactor. However, if you don't have one, aquarium plants regulator will make your life a lot easier

Typical regulators use a solenoid valve. Most of them suck and fail dumping the whole bottle of co2 into your tank.

I would not run any calcium reactor without the ap regulator. I would rather dose.



Use a controller regardless of what regulator you use. A controller does not dictate which regulator to buy.

[strittmatter]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Typical regulators use a solenoid valve. Most of them suck and fail dumping the whole bottle of co2 into your tank.

I would not run any calcium reactor without the ap regulator. I would rather dose.



Use a controller regardless of what regulator you use. A controller does not dictate which regulator to buy.

Agreed.

[rldcpa]

So, what do I need for a complete Calcium Reactor for a 245 reef tank.

The Aquariumplants Co2-LCD Electronic Co2 Regulator (with 8 digit LCD Counter)

A 20# tank from Airgas

Another probe for my Apex to control it

Aquariumplants "THE BEST" Check Valve (medical grade)(.017 psi CRP)

Some tubing

and a reactor (which from what I read about the regulator, I don't need it to have a bubble counter.


My questions are:

Is this setup complete?

What reactor should I get?

[barrettrhoades]

Originally Posted by strittmatter

I have added a PH probe to my Koralin, Just got a threaded ph prob holder and drilled and tapped the lid.

Where did you get a threaded probe holder? I would love to do this to my Korallin.

I recommend Korallin. They are very well built, and designed. Easy to dial in too.

[James77]

Skip the LCD counter, there is no real need for it. The AP regulator already has a check valve built into it, so "the best" check valve would be redundant and possibly interfere with the regulator.
20 pounds of CO2 is a lot unless you have a large tank, but if you have the room for it go for it. Most reactors already have a bubble counter built into it.

I have used the Korallin and Geo, and the Geo I preferred by far. If you can swing buying a quality continuous duty peristaltic pump like Masterflex off ebay it wouldgive you pretty much bullet proof set up.

Originally Posted by rldcpa

So, what do I need for a complete Calcium Reactor for a 245 reef tank.

The Aquariumplants Co2-LCD Electronic Co2 Regulator (with 8 digit LCD Counter)

A 20# tank from Airgas

Another probe for my Apex to control it

Aquariumplants "THE BEST" Check Valve (medical grade)(.017 psi CRP)

Some tubing

and a reactor (which from what I read about the regulator, I don't need it to have a bubble counter.


My questions are:

Is this setup complete?

What reactor should I get?

[Laddy]

I loved my AquaC Rx-1 before I accidentally dropped it while preparing our house for renovations. It ran for years with no problems on my 75. I got a good deal on a Korallin 1502 as a replacement which gets the job done but, for me, it was hard to dial in. The best reactor I ever had was a MRC.

Regulator: aquarium plants. End of story.

Hope this helps.

[rldcpa]

Masterflex® Peristaltic Pumps are really expensive. What pump would be more reasonable?

[rldcpa]

I notice many use a small powerhead to feed the reactor.

[Laddy]

Originally Posted by rldcpa

Masterflex® Peristaltic Pumps are really expensive. What pump would be more reasonable?

The peristaltic pump is used as an output to drip the effluent not to supply water to the reactor. Most ppl will drip their effluent with needle valves; the pump James mentioned above was the trifecta sort of speak: Geo Reactor + AP regulator + Peristaltic pump = very stable delivery of Alk/Ca.

[rldcpa]

What feed pump do you suggest? Some suggest max jet 1200. I want the reactor and pumps to be very quiet.

[barrettrhoades]

I just tee off of my return pump, and control the flow with a 1/8" ball valve (the size of icemaker tubing.

[rldcpa]

That may be a good solution as the amount of water being used is less than a gallon an hour, correct? And there would be no back pressure on the pump which would ordinarily damage the pump.

Also no new heat, electricity, or noise.

[rldcpa]

Originally Posted by Laddy

The peristaltic pump is used as an output to drip the effluent not to supply water to the reactor. Most ppl will drip their effluent with needle valves; the pump James mentioned above was the trifecta sort of speak: Geo Reactor + AP regulator + Peristaltic pump = very stable delivery of Alk/Ca.

I understand that for exact dosing the peristalic pump would be best. How inaccurate is a needle valve? And how hard is it to dose properly with a needle. As your tank increases with coral you would need to increase the flow accordingly.

It seems that you could start with a needle valve and later easily convert.

[cantonreef]

Korallin makes a lid with the probe holder installed.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Korallin_...FICRRP-vi.html

[grigsy]

Geo