calcium reactors

super1man · 11/10/2010, 01:07 PM

ok well getting another tank set up and i wanted to add a calcium reactor. never had one before so need advice on which one is the easist to use and works the best.

tank will be 2 - 210 gallon allglass tanks put back to back im going to use 2 150 gallon rubbermaid bins one to house a skimmer and the other will house live rock and a fuge one tank will have a sps reef with mh lighting and led lighting and the other will be a softy reef with agressive fish and be light with t5HO's.

thanks in advance garret

sasharotty · 11/10/2010, 01:15 PM

I can only comment on Geos reactor.It was pretty much set and forget.

aleonn · 11/10/2010, 01:54 PM

After asking the forum a few times, and doing a bit of research, I'm going with GEO. I was deciding between the Reef Octopus and the GEO reactors. GEO has a solid reputation, has a quality build, and is relatively maintenance free based off other reviewers. I'm also going with the Aquarium Plants CO2 Electronic regulator, considered the best regulator by users (as well as the company). IMO you can't go wrong with GEO, but definitely check out your options and do your research.

SweetE · 11/10/2010, 06:58 PM

I think a 2 chamber reactor is the way to go, the second chamber being used to remove more CO2 from the effluent before it goes into the sump. I also use Brightwell ZeoMag in the second chamber to help maintain Magnesium levels. I use a ProCal Reactor by Marine Technical Concepts (MTC). Great quality.
http://www.marinetechnical.com/page12.html

aleonn · 11/10/2010, 07:20 PM

Never thought of using the 2nd chamber for magnesium! Genius!

Stanley-Reefer · 11/10/2010, 07:48 PM

3 mos into my geos 612 and 618 and love them....tested for a week before they went online to see where I was with my 2 part and then 2x/d once they were online.

No drop in ph with the effluent running in above my skimmer intakes.

No need for a second chamber with mg.....put 10% of you media wt of zeo mag in your reactor and forget it.

ThaNgBOm321 · 11/10/2010, 08:03 PM

IDK.. I don't have much experience with CA/RX, but i do understand how they work. I also understand what benefits you get from a certain design (at least in theory). For me, what is boils down to is how the owner knows how to use the equipment. Asking if something is easy to use or set-up is relative to how much/familiar a person is to the thing your asking. I personally would build myself a Ca/Rx if i needed a new or another one unless i find myself a good deal.

In case your wondering what i have.. I have a MTC ProCal (only cuzz i got it for a steal of a deal).

11/10/2010, 01:07 PM	#1
super1man Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hartford, WI Posts: 147	calcium reactors ok well getting another tank set up and i wanted to add a calcium reactor. never had one before so need advice on which one is the easist to use and works the best. tank will be 2 - 210 gallon allglass tanks put back to back im going to use 2 150 gallon rubbermaid bins one to house a skimmer and the other will house live rock and a fuge one tank will have a sps reef with mh lighting and led lighting and the other will be a softy reef with agressive fish and be light with t5HO's. thanks in advance garret __________________ Superman Current Tank Info: 48x24x10 1" thick Custom Acrylic, 40lb Chunk of Tonga Branch Rock, ASM G3 Skimmer, Custom LED Pendents, Simple set up with Corals Growing like Crazy

11/10/2010, 08:03 PM	#7
ThaNgBOm321 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tx, houston Posts: 792	IDK.. I don't have much experience with CA/RX, but i do understand how they work. I also understand what benefits you get from a certain design (at least in theory). For me, what is boils down to is how the owner knows how to use the equipment. Asking if something is easy to use or set-up is relative to how much/familiar a person is to the thing your asking. I personally would build myself a Ca/Rx if i needed a new or another one unless i find myself a good deal. In case your wondering what i have.. I have a MTC ProCal (only cuzz i got it for a steal of a deal). __________________ YzGyz = Wise Guys ohhh and cows go MOOO!!! 2nd best way is to learn from ones own mistakes but the best way to learn is from others... thx to Randy and so many other for making reefing that much easier

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11/10/2010, 01:15 PM	#2
sasharotty Moved on to my couch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: se michigan Posts: 1,065	I can only comment on Geos reactor.It was pretty much set and forget.

11/10/2010, 01:54 PM	#3
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	After asking the forum a few times, and doing a bit of research, I'm going with GEO. I was deciding between the Reef Octopus and the GEO reactors. GEO has a solid reputation, has a quality build, and is relatively maintenance free based off other reviewers. I'm also going with the Aquarium Plants CO2 Electronic regulator, considered the best regulator by users (as well as the company). IMO you can't go wrong with GEO, but definitely check out your options and do your research.

11/10/2010, 06:58 PM	#4
SweetE Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 26	I think a 2 chamber reactor is the way to go, the second chamber being used to remove more CO2 from the effluent before it goes into the sump. I also use Brightwell ZeoMag in the second chamber to help maintain Magnesium levels. I use a ProCal Reactor by Marine Technical Concepts (MTC). Great quality. http://www.marinetechnical.com/page12.html

11/10/2010, 07:20 PM	#5
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	Never thought of using the 2nd chamber for magnesium! Genius!

11/10/2010, 07:48 PM	#6
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	3 mos into my geos 612 and 618 and love them....tested for a week before they went online to see where I was with my 2 part and then 2x/d once they were online. No drop in ph with the effluent running in above my skimmer intakes. No need for a second chamber with mg.....put 10% of you media wt of zeo mag in your reactor and forget it.