Calcium reactor, dosing pump, phosban reactor???

saltybastard · 02/17/2010, 01:33 AM

I've read about these devices but still confused. I understand that these are used if one is to grow hard corals. Would they be useful to have if I only have softies? It is my understanding that I can use either a calcium reactor or a dosing pump? Which is better? What exactly do they do?

And, do I need a phosban reactor? Have no idea what this is supposed to do.

If I were to start hard corals, what additional equipment would I need? I just have a protein skimmer and am upgrading my lighting as well.

Michael · 02/17/2010, 02:48 AM

a calcium reactor is good for maintaining alkalinity and calcium levels in a reef tank, also dosing kalkwasser is useful as it maintains the ph levels when the calcium reactor lowers it, so they complement each other, however you can use either alone as well, if you have just a soft coral tank then a quality salt and water changes may be sufficient, a phos reactor is a totally different tool, its for illiminating phosphate, this can be useful in any set up and helps to starve nusience algae, a fudge full of a macro algae can do the same job though, what are you trying to achieve, so i/we can suggest the best thing for you?

saltybastard · 02/17/2010, 03:00 AM

I am trying to future proof myself for when and if I decide to get hard corals. Looks like upgrade my lighting now and get a dosing pump down the road when I decide to get sps

thegrun · 02/17/2010, 08:05 AM

What size is your tank, that comes into play? A calcium reactor on a nano is overkill and IMHO and could cause more issues than it solves, but on a 120 is a great way to go. Give us a little more info to help you out.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/17/2010, 09:41 AM

These may help you decide what you need:

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

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

saltybastard · 02/17/2010, 03:54 PM

I currently have a 120-130 but will be upgrading to a 180+ soon. So, would I need a calcium reactor and a 2 part doser?

LilRobb · 02/17/2010, 03:56 PM

It would be either or,
2part dosing is okay for smaller systems - for larger systems the savings for the reactor would amortize themselves pretty quickly...

02/17/2010, 01:33 AM	#1
saltybastard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 179	Calcium reactor, dosing pump, phosban reactor??? I've read about these devices but still confused. I understand that these are used if one is to grow hard corals. Would they be useful to have if I only have softies? It is my understanding that I can use either a calcium reactor or a dosing pump? Which is better? What exactly do they do? And, do I need a phosban reactor? Have no idea what this is supposed to do. If I were to start hard corals, what additional equipment would I need? I just have a protein skimmer and am upgrading my lighting as well.

02/17/2010, 02:48 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	a calcium reactor is good for maintaining alkalinity and calcium levels in a reef tank, also dosing kalkwasser is useful as it maintains the ph levels when the calcium reactor lowers it, so they complement each other, however you can use either alone as well, if you have just a soft coral tank then a quality salt and water changes may be sufficient, a phos reactor is a totally different tool, its for illiminating phosphate, this can be useful in any set up and helps to starve nusience algae, a fudge full of a macro algae can do the same job though, what are you trying to achieve, so i/we can suggest the best thing for you? __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/17/2010, 09:41 AM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	These may help you decide what you need: How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm 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 __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/17/2010, 03:00 AM	#3
saltybastard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 179	I am trying to future proof myself for when and if I decide to get hard corals. Looks like upgrade my lighting now and get a dosing pump down the road when I decide to get sps

02/17/2010, 08:05 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	What size is your tank, that comes into play? A calcium reactor on a nano is overkill and IMHO and could cause more issues than it solves, but on a 120 is a great way to go. Give us a little more info to help you out.

02/17/2010, 03:54 PM	#6
saltybastard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 179	I currently have a 120-130 but will be upgrading to a 180+ soon. So, would I need a calcium reactor and a 2 part doser?

02/17/2010, 03:56 PM	#7
LilRobb Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 96	It would be either or, 2part dosing is okay for smaller systems - for larger systems the savings for the reactor would amortize themselves pretty quickly...