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12/19/2007, 12:46 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Malta
Posts: 30
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Calcuim reactor
I am building up a reef tank and was wondering if i should install a calcuim reactor, and if it is hard to set up. Any ideas what make i should go for please
Thankx Clint |
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12/19/2007, 12:50 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Tolono, IL
Posts: 6,754
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You don't need a Ca reactor at the initial start up if you're not going to dump a large amount of SPS colonies into the tank right from the beginning. Would help to know what you're plans are for your tank. All softies, all SPS, LPS, mixed reef?
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Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return |
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12/19/2007, 12:58 PM
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#3 |
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Moved On
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 70
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It really depends on what you plan on doing with the tank...like mentioned above...softies...SPS...LPS, its all depends, but either way a calcium reactor certainly wouldn't hurt, but you gotta to way to the cost to benefit ration, because Calc reactors are certainly exspensive and rather hard to dial in
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12/19/2007, 01:23 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Malta
Posts: 30
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Thanx for your replay back. Well soft corals mainly but would like to mix up a bit. Ia there anything i can do instead of a reactor
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12/19/2007, 03:18 PM
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#5 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Jan Sose, CA
Posts: 972
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Calcium reactors are expensive
Getting them to work properly is another Malfunctions and Overdosage can occur Once its fully tweaked, it works really well. I would advise you to drip it in your sump where the return pump is, your skimmer could possibly filter out all the calcium deposits for the corals. If you want to just do it the old fashion way, kalkwasser and drip method 
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12/19/2007, 03:31 PM
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#6 |
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Reef Chemist
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Arlington, Massachusetts
Posts: 86,233
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This article compares different methods of supplementing calcium and alkalinity.
How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm CaCO3/CO2 reactors, two parts, and limewater/kalkwasser are the big 3 ways that all work well and have pros and cons. In your case, limewater or a two part are both good bets without big up front costs. These may also help: The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 1: The Salt Water Itself http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php
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Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef |
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12/19/2007, 03:55 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Francisco CA
Posts: 3,987
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waxy ygpm
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12/19/2007, 04:14 PM
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#8 |
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Team RC member
 
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Randy's articles are an excellent discussion of the pros and cons. For me, the initial expense outweighs the safety issues of Kalk and the hassle of dosing.
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Warmest regards, ~Steve~ |
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12/20/2007, 03:48 PM
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#9 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Malta
Posts: 30
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Thanx for your help guys
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