What Calcium media do you use?

icereefer · 12/07/2006, 08:51 PM

Looking for others opinion ( pro's and con's ) on the calcium media you use in your reactor.
Thanks for any in-put.

serpentman · 12/08/2006, 06:11 AM

I use ARM media. It works well but I believe is slightly deficient in Mg. This can be offset by adding dolomite to the media. Where to find dolomite is my next quest.

Rockitmakr · 12/08/2006, 08:56 AM

ARM all the way! Just check th Mg periodically.

Cheers & Happy Reefing!

lawdog · 12/08/2006, 10:15 AM

I use the Gen-X media... found it to be more complete and no MG deficiency. You can find it here...

http://www.saltycritter.com/co2.htm

I have used ARM in the past but for me the Gen-X works best, similar to Schuran media.

SDguy · 12/08/2006, 10:18 AM

Does it depend on the type of reactor you use? As I understand it, some reactors can't deal with larger media, but I may be wrong about that.

I use ARM in my Korallin recator. I've heard it'll turn to mush at low pH, but I've gotten pretty low while trying to dial it in, and no mush yet.

jimbo045 · 12/08/2006, 10:26 AM

I use PurpleUp 16oz, and think highly of it. Many view the 120, and say it is nice looking. JD

marinelife · 12/08/2006, 10:38 AM

Gen-X works best

SDguy · 12/08/2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by marinelife
Gen-X works best

Broad statement.

Again, in all reactors? For you personally? Just wanting to know...

marinelife · 12/08/2006, 11:22 AM

Best one I have tried, ARM just cause to many algae problems

SDguy · 12/08/2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by marinelife
Best one I have tried, ARM just cause to many algae problems

?? Phosphate leeching ??

lawdog · 12/08/2006, 03:53 PM

Gen-X works best for me as well and I run it in a LCR-1 Lifereef calcium reactor... you do not need a special reactor to run it in.

I love the Gen-x media... all I can say is it works well in my setup

icereefer · 12/08/2006, 05:53 PM

I had the same problem using ARM my Not algea but macro grow like crazy in my tank once I started using my reactor, I have a MRC dual Nano reactor I use.
I was just looking for others opinion on media, I was looking at the Gen-X and thinking of trying it , it would seem you'd get better water flow threw the media with Gen-X.
and more even break down of the media?

SDguy · 12/08/2006, 08:07 PM

Is there a thread about ARM and increased algae growth? I thought increased algae growth is possible when you start using a Ca Reactor due to excess CO2 entering the tank, regardless of the media.

bourbeaue · 02/18/2010, 11:48 AM

Make a lot of sense to me...

mikedelgado · 02/22/2010, 08:42 PM

i use arm small grain media in my deltec fluidised reactor. It seems to work well enough for me and still fluidises like the rowa stuff. A friend of mine burns carib sea seafloor in his reactor. Dont laugh as he has one of the best sps reefs I have ever seen, in person or otherwise.

SDguy · 02/23/2010, 06:53 AM

Wow, I can comment on my own comments

I ended up melting the ARM small grain all the time

I switched to large grain, which I don't even think ARM came in back when this thread first started

This works well for me, as I can run the pH very low, and no mush!

With respect to the algae comment, IIRC, the research I saw indicated that ARM, at least the small grain, had one of the lowest phosphate contents of all the brands tested.

tangtang clown · 02/23/2010, 07:01 AM

Quick questions guys, not trying to steal, but once you start using a Cal Reac do you have do add anything else to your water? ie I only add Tech A & B, and iodine. Could I start using a reactor and stop adding these daily?

HaroldT · 02/28/2010, 11:18 AM

+1 ARM. Works fine for me.

josee1013 · 02/28/2010, 12:17 PM

I have a question!
could I use dolomite alone in a media reactor (no co2)? dolomite is a type of limestone rich in calcium and magnesium right?? could it be dose up to maintain my calcium and magnesium level ok in my reeef??

ben1 · 02/28/2010, 01:14 PM

I use ARM media

12/07/2006, 08:51 PM	#1
icereefer Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: grand forks N.D. Posts: 290	What Calcium media do you use? Looking for others opinion ( pro's and con's ) on the calcium media you use in your reactor. Thanks for any in-put. __________________ RedRiverValleyReefers. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder with spillway back and bean animal OF., Custom Modded Aqueon 3 sump, 2 Rapid LED Onyx Dim, 2 T5's, 3 BRS dosing pumps 2 part,Apex,2-MP10s, RO-DC-3500 pump.

12/08/2006, 06:11 AM	#2
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	I use ARM media. It works well but I believe is slightly deficient in Mg. This can be offset by adding dolomite to the media. Where to find dolomite is my next quest. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

12/08/2006, 10:15 AM	#4
lawdog Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Rootstown, Ohio Posts: 794	I use the Gen-X media... found it to be more complete and no MG deficiency. You can find it here... http://www.saltycritter.com/co2.htm I have used ARM in the past but for me the Gen-X works best, similar to Schuran media. __________________ Regards, Craig "Will be giving Free Legal Advice Tomorrow..." Current Tank Info: Marineland 200DD Reef Tank, In Wall, Still Rocking dual 250W MH lights; LifeReef skimmer, Custom Sump/Refuge, Reeflo Dart Return to Seaswirls; Tunze Streams (waiting for new Riptide!); Lifereef Calc Reactor; Keeper of Magnifica Ritteri!

12/08/2006, 10:18 AM	#5
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Does it depend on the type of reactor you use? As I understand it, some reactors can't deal with larger media, but I may be wrong about that. I use ARM in my Korallin recator. I've heard it'll turn to mush at low pH, but I've gotten pretty low while trying to dial it in, and no mush yet. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

12/08/2006, 10:38 AM	#7
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	Gen-X works best __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

12/08/2006, 08:56 AM	#3
Rockitmakr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 630	ARM all the way! Just check th Mg periodically. Cheers & Happy Reefing!

12/08/2006, 10:26 AM	#6
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	I use PurpleUp 16oz, and think highly of it. Many view the 120, and say it is nice looking. JD

12/08/2006, 11:22 AM	#9
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	Best one I have tried, ARM just cause to many algae problems __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

12/08/2006, 03:53 PM	#11
lawdog Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Rootstown, Ohio Posts: 794	Gen-X works best for me as well and I run it in a LCR-1 Lifereef calcium reactor... you do not need a special reactor to run it in. I love the Gen-x media... all I can say is it works well in my setup __________________ Regards, Craig "Will be giving Free Legal Advice Tomorrow..." Current Tank Info: Marineland 200DD Reef Tank, In Wall, Still Rocking dual 250W MH lights; LifeReef skimmer, Custom Sump/Refuge, Reeflo Dart Return to Seaswirls; Tunze Streams (waiting for new Riptide!); Lifereef Calc Reactor; Keeper of Magnifica Ritteri!

12/08/2006, 05:53 PM	#12
icereefer Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: grand forks N.D. Posts: 290	I had the same problem using ARM my Not algea but macro grow like crazy in my tank once I started using my reactor, I have a MRC dual Nano reactor I use. I was just looking for others opinion on media, I was looking at the Gen-X and thinking of trying it , it would seem you'd get better water flow threw the media with Gen-X. and more even break down of the media? __________________ RedRiverValleyReefers. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder with spillway back and bean animal OF., Custom Modded Aqueon 3 sump, 2 Rapid LED Onyx Dim, 2 T5's, 3 BRS dosing pumps 2 part,Apex,2-MP10s, RO-DC-3500 pump.

12/08/2006, 08:07 PM	#13
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Is there a thread about ARM and increased algae growth? I thought increased algae growth is possible when you start using a Ca Reactor due to excess CO2 entering the tank, regardless of the media. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

02/18/2010, 11:48 AM	#14
bourbeaue Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 216	Make a lot of sense to me... __________________ Montreal, Canada Current Tank Info: SPS LPS Reef: 165g Starphire custom Miracles, custom sump, AC3, DIY LED, UV, Geo Ca reactor, nanostreams, two other small SW tanks

02/22/2010, 08:42 PM	#15
mikedelgado Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: salado, tx Posts: 222	i use arm small grain media in my deltec fluidised reactor. It seems to work well enough for me and still fluidises like the rowa stuff. A friend of mine burns carib sea seafloor in his reactor. Dont laugh as he has one of the best sps reefs I have ever seen, in person or otherwise.

02/23/2010, 06:53 AM	#16
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Wow, I can comment on my own comments I ended up melting the ARM small grain all the time I switched to large grain, which I don't even think ARM came in back when this thread first started This works well for me, as I can run the pH very low, and no mush! With respect to the algae comment, IIRC, the research I saw indicated that ARM, at least the small grain, had one of the lowest phosphate contents of all the brands tested. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

02/23/2010, 07:01 AM	#17
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	Quick questions guys, not trying to steal, but once you start using a Cal Reac do you have do add anything else to your water? ie I only add Tech A & B, and iodine. Could I start using a reactor and stop adding these daily? __________________ Mind over chatter.

02/28/2010, 11:18 AM	#18
HaroldT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 582	+1 ARM. Works fine for me.

02/28/2010, 12:17 PM	#19
josee1013 trying my best at this... Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal. Qc. Canada Posts: 533	I have a question! could I use dolomite alone in a media reactor (no co2)? dolomite is a type of limestone rich in calcium and magnesium right?? could it be dose up to maintain my calcium and magnesium level ok in my reeef?? __________________ Life is full of cycles.. our saltwater adventure is over..for now. “When you open your minds to the impossible, sometimes you find the truth.” W.Bishop Current Tank Info: 150g reef SPS

02/28/2010, 01:14 PM	#20
ben1 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Posts: 63	I use ARM media