New calcium reactor input please

marlinmero · 12/13/2014, 03:18 AM

I'm upgrading my calcium reactor soon and im not sure what one i should go with , im thinking about the skimz monster. i like the little extra chamber to help scrub off the co2. But before i spend that kind of money i figured i'd ask you guys what else is out there

gregr · 12/13/2014, 10:07 AM

How big is your tank? If it's 200g or less I highly recommend the MTC Minical. No need for a separate feed pump and with a good C02 regulator it's as close as you're gonna get to a set-and-forget Ca reactor.

marlinmero · 12/13/2014, 10:11 AM

it's a 210 with about 50 gallons in the sump.

gregr · 12/13/2014, 10:18 AM

If you're considering MTC then give them a call- they're one of those great companies that are happy to discuss their products and will give you great advice before and after a sale- they walked me thru setup and the whole dialing-in process. I will say I'm running mine far from wide open on my very heavily stocked 150 and it does a great job. I supplement with kalk saturated ATO water too though.

biecacka · 12/13/2014, 11:07 AM

I have a GEO. great build quality, and a one man show. He will also talk to you see what your needs are and go from there. Great guy, great quality. And of course built right here in "Murica"

Corey

gregr · 12/13/2014, 11:29 AM

I've heard great things about Geo products and I love my Geo kalk reactor so don't think I'm bashing their reactors. From what I've read though the Geo is like the Korallin that I used to have in that the effluent rate doesn't stay consistent, requires tiny adjustments every several days or so. That's only what I've read, not experienced and maybe Corey or other Geo owners can refute that. But the design on the Minical is different and the drip rate stays rock solid for months at a time. I'm almost to the end of the first batch of media- it's been about 4 months and the media is down to about 3-4" in the first chamber. With my Korallin I'd be adjusting it every couple days at this point to keep it from clogging, but the Mnical is still flowing 60ml/min just like when the thing was full.

biecacka · 12/14/2014, 12:45 PM

Hey gregr I didn't take your statement as a bash! Not at all, I know there are quality products out there from various builders. I was just getting another option out there. I don't have effluent issues with mine, but I do run it a little higher, near 100mls. For a few reasons, one hell prevent clogging(during set up my friend said this is best way to run it) and second, because I still have a lower demand in my tank.

On another note......I am considering an Orphek light. I know you speak highly of them as well!
Now back to our regularly scheduled thread

Corey

ken6217 · 12/14/2014, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregr

How big is your tank? If it's 200g or less I highly recommend the MTC Minical. No need for a separate feed pump and with a good C02 regulator it's as close as you're gonna get to a set-and-forget Ca reactor.

+1. I have had three Pro Cal's on three separate SPS tanks over the years. Great quality and they work great. No feed pump needed, no clogging, and great customer service.
Ken

marlinmero · 12/14/2014, 04:59 PM

Forgot to add it needs to be a external reactor

ken6217 · 12/14/2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlinmero

Forgot to add it needs to be a external reactor

I don't think there is such thing as in internal Ca reactor.

marlinmero · 12/14/2014, 05:36 PM

Ok good, shopping around I've seen a few that say external so figured there was internal as well. And since these ones don't require a feed pump I thought it might be a internal

biecacka · 12/14/2014, 05:37 PM

I feed mine off a manifold of my return pump.

Corey

b7fig · 12/16/2014, 07:12 PM

I've currently have the Korallin and hate it. 3 years of constant adjustments. I'm currently having lifereef build me one. I have a Lifereef skimmer and sumps and love them. Great customer service and quality.

gregr · 12/16/2014, 09:33 PM

Hey Corey- I'm still extremely happy with my Atlantiks

That Korallin... man I feel your pain. Lifereef makes outstanding products- I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

HiImSean · 12/17/2014, 09:31 AM

I have a GEO that I have yet to set up. A lot of the adjusting people talk about is due to the effluent clogging. You can achieve the effluent you want by using a peristaltic pump as opposed to a powerhead or t from you return. It's another added expense but it's something to make you worry about less.

RobinsonFam1 · 12/20/2014, 09:45 AM

i built my old CArx off a design of MRC dual and an old geo design. now it looks identical to the MRC2. had it installed on a HEAVILY stocked sps 90gal with total water about 200 gal.
worked flawlessly. so all i can say is if not diy then a geo or MRC.

12/13/2014, 03:18 AM	#1
marlinmero Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 190	New calcium reactor input please I'm upgrading my calcium reactor soon and im not sure what one i should go with , im thinking about the skimz monster. i like the little extra chamber to help scrub off the co2. But before i spend that kind of money i figured i'd ask you guys what else is out there

12/13/2014, 10:07 AM	#2
gregr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Studio City, Ca Posts: 7,011	How big is your tank? If it's 200g or less I highly recommend the MTC Minical. No need for a separate feed pump and with a good C02 regulator it's as close as you're gonna get to a set-and-forget Ca reactor. __________________ 150g mixed reef Apex, 60g sump, MTC MVX-26 skimmer, MTC Minical, Geo kalk reactor, Tunze 6095s, closed loop, Orphek Atlantiks. Utube video: https://youtu.be/pAzqzxVnrUw

12/13/2014, 10:18 AM	#4
gregr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Studio City, Ca Posts: 7,011	If you're considering MTC then give them a call- they're one of those great companies that are happy to discuss their products and will give you great advice before and after a sale- they walked me thru setup and the whole dialing-in process. I will say I'm running mine far from wide open on my very heavily stocked 150 and it does a great job. I supplement with kalk saturated ATO water too though. __________________ 150g mixed reef Apex, 60g sump, MTC MVX-26 skimmer, MTC Minical, Geo kalk reactor, Tunze 6095s, closed loop, Orphek Atlantiks. Utube video: https://youtu.be/pAzqzxVnrUw

12/13/2014, 11:29 AM	#6
gregr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Studio City, Ca Posts: 7,011	I've heard great things about Geo products and I love my Geo kalk reactor so don't think I'm bashing their reactors. From what I've read though the Geo is like the Korallin that I used to have in that the effluent rate doesn't stay consistent, requires tiny adjustments every several days or so. That's only what I've read, not experienced and maybe Corey or other Geo owners can refute that. But the design on the Minical is different and the drip rate stays rock solid for months at a time. I'm almost to the end of the first batch of media- it's been about 4 months and the media is down to about 3-4" in the first chamber. With my Korallin I'd be adjusting it every couple days at this point to keep it from clogging, but the Mnical is still flowing 60ml/min just like when the thing was full. __________________ 150g mixed reef Apex, 60g sump, MTC MVX-26 skimmer, MTC Minical, Geo kalk reactor, Tunze 6095s, closed loop, Orphek Atlantiks. Utube video: https://youtu.be/pAzqzxVnrUw

12/16/2014, 09:33 PM	#14
gregr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Studio City, Ca Posts: 7,011	Hey Corey- I'm still extremely happy with my Atlantiks That Korallin... man I feel your pain. Lifereef makes outstanding products- I'm sure you'll be happy with it. __________________ 150g mixed reef Apex, 60g sump, MTC MVX-26 skimmer, MTC Minical, Geo kalk reactor, Tunze 6095s, closed loop, Orphek Atlantiks. Utube video: https://youtu.be/pAzqzxVnrUw

12/13/2014, 10:11 AM	#3
marlinmero Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 190	it's a 210 with about 50 gallons in the sump.

12/13/2014, 11:07 AM	#5
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I have a GEO. great build quality, and a one man show. He will also talk to you see what your needs are and go from there. Great guy, great quality. And of course built right here in "Murica" Corey

12/14/2014, 12:45 PM	#7
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	Hey gregr I didn't take your statement as a bash! Not at all, I know there are quality products out there from various builders. I was just getting another option out there. I don't have effluent issues with mine, but I do run it a little higher, near 100mls. For a few reasons, one hell prevent clogging(during set up my friend said this is best way to run it) and second, because I still have a lower demand in my tank. On another note......I am considering an Orphek light. I know you speak highly of them as well! Now back to our regularly scheduled thread Corey

12/14/2014, 04:59 PM	#9
marlinmero Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 190	Forgot to add it needs to be a external reactor

12/14/2014, 05:36 PM	#11
marlinmero Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 190	Ok good, shopping around I've seen a few that say external so figured there was internal as well. And since these ones don't require a feed pump I thought it might be a internal

12/14/2014, 05:37 PM	#12
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I feed mine off a manifold of my return pump. Corey

12/16/2014, 07:12 PM	#13
b7fig Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 250	I've currently have the Korallin and hate it. 3 years of constant adjustments. I'm currently having lifereef build me one. I have a Lifereef skimmer and sumps and love them. Great customer service and quality.

12/17/2014, 09:31 AM	#15
HiImSean Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 834	I have a GEO that I have yet to set up. A lot of the adjusting people talk about is due to the effluent clogging. You can achieve the effluent you want by using a peristaltic pump as opposed to a powerhead or t from you return. It's another added expense but it's something to make you worry about less.

12/20/2014, 09:45 AM	#16
RobinsonFam1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: USA Posts: 616	i built my old CArx off a design of MRC dual and an old geo design. now it looks identical to the MRC2. had it installed on a HEAVILY stocked sps 90gal with total water about 200 gal. worked flawlessly. so all i can say is if not diy then a geo or MRC.